Life After Near Death | Teresa Porter | TEDxCaryAcademy

Teresa revisits the scene of her worst moment and talk us through how we can all walk away from our biggest crashes as scarred but stronger.
Teresa Porter (Class of 2002) is a portrait photographer from Cary, NC specializing in senior portrait, pre-teen, child, and family portraiture. Her work has been recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine and published on The Huffington Post. Her blog post “So You’re Feeling Too Fat to be Photographed” has reached over 5 million people (and counting!). Whether it is for a photoshoot or in everyday life, Teresa is enthusiastic about showing others how to embrace life's blemishes and showing them in their best light. In her talk, Teresa will revisit the scene of her worst moment and talk us through how we can all walk away from our biggest crashes as scarred but stronger.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@peejm1424]

" The rubble of your crash will be the foundation of your repair" , so inspirational!

[@lisasternenkind6467]

Not..... I suppose you live a happy life without trauma. You wouldn't praise this if you had PTSD or cPTSD.

[@Krtwells]

Wow! You put into words things that I'd felt but never heard anyone say before, or said out loud myself. Well done! Thank you

[@lou6227]

I love this. Thank you.

[@keshavakumar9350]

哦TV g Uhjyy @@'/‹,9= Tata

[@crbohannon]

The part about your brokenness not needing to be wiped clean but a foundation for your growth...wow... That is beautiful.

[@IAmSherMarie]

I have chills!!!! That’s the most profound thing I’ve heard

[@dondressel452]

I was hit by a car on March 18th 1963 I was only 6 years old I then went through a divorce in 1984 I then lost a wife to cancer in 1989 She was only 31 I then recently went through another divorce in which I lost my home and most of my pets and every other worldly possessions I owned On top of it my father passed away Fast forward five years later I’m fighting a 4th stage cancer So yes life can be a challenge and I keep on building up my foundation even though it collapses over and over Take care everyone

[@tillyvickers2721]

🙋🏻‍♀️❤❤❤Take care and much love.Wherever you are, you're my hero, 😘

[@dondressel452]

@@tillyvickers2721 thank you Yes life is hard but can be rewarding in so many ways I’ve survived so many traumatic things in my life but I’ve survived and grown because of it So love and do not judge ❤️

[@tillyvickers2721]

@@dondressel452 I will remember that.Thank you Don.👍❤❤❤❤🙋🏻‍♀️

[@mubeen1500]

@@dondressel452 if hope you had overcome all of your worries and problems.

[@chantellewoods31]

hope you’re okay my friend

[@laurabarber6697]

She said remember you will get to go home again. In the early part of 2020 I thought I was losing my home to foreclosure so I went through everything I owned of living there for 16 years and moved out. I gave away or threw away more than 50% of what I had. Luckily I have a friend of nearly 20 years who is my adopted dad and 17 years my senior. He's now 79 years old. I moved in with him into the small bedroom. Now here it is nearly October of 2020 and through circumstances I can't even tell you how they happened I am moving back into my home and now he will be moving in with me. So yes I'm going home! I grew up in the Army and went to more than 10 schools in 12 years and I've moved over 40 times in my life. So having a home that is mine is really important to me. This talk just touched me so many different times and ways! Thank you!

[@aquamarine0023]

Great message, thank you. I cried at the part where you said that through the loneliness and feeling invisible, someone will see you.

[@777ruthie]

I cried at the end. This was really a great speech

[@annmarieknapp]

Beautiful!

[@sungirl9951]

I don’t have any tears left

[@mooseliver1772]

Had a cardiac arrest in a car and was WEARING my Boy Scout uniform on my way to an outing. My 16 year old son initiated CPR while speaking to the 911 operator. He said he wasn't aware I was dead until the EMS cut my uniform off, and they used the defibrillator 3 times. He is my HERO. When I awoke from my coma the first thing I said was "Now I have to HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL". ( Which I did !) Life goes on!! 😁

[@dondressel452]

Wonderful story

[@normancooney5374]

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU ON THE TRAIL AND WHERE DID U START AS I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT TOO AND I WILL BE 90 IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND DO THEY ALLOW YOU TO CARRY A PISTOL WITH YOU SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN. SOME HORRENDOUS DEATHS ON THERE BY OUTLAWS????????

[@mooseliver1772]

I started at Springer Mountain in Georgiain 2019, got 100 miles north and had a foot injury that took me off trail until the fall and did Shenandoah National Park. Went back Feb 2020 and again started at Springer, got off due to Covid; did sections in North Carolina and Tennessee and then the Smokies November 2020. Off for Christmas, then will go back AGAIN and start north ahead of "the bubble" and North of Smokies and hope to be finished by September. I met a man named Don in the Smokies who was 81 and he did twice as many miles as I did the day I met him. A REAL inspiration to me to never give up. I know nothing about the gun laws. Maybe another hiker could answer that question.

[@mirstobom]

A beautiful and eloquent lady. Great insight. Sometimes crashes are there to stop us from running around and reminiscence about most important things in life.

This amazing woman should become a motivational speaker for a living. She's not just a survivor, she's inspirational.

[@23esrae]

Inspirational ..loved "the rubble of your crash will literally become the foundation of your repair"..Thank you for sharing this experience and shining a light on the subject.

[@jimhogan3446]

Outstanding !!! She has put this Experience and it's aspects together so perfectly. So many people could benefit from watching this video.

[@Lu3305]

"The rubble of your crash will literally become the foundation of your repair." The entire speech is so well done, but that section is my favorite part. Reminds me of "Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), also known as Kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"),[1] is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique.[2][3][4] As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.[5]" (Wikipedia) You are a beautiful and inspiring human being!

[@laurabarber6697]

It takes a beautiful soul to recognize another beautiful soul! Yeah she is amazing! You and shego the kind of people I wish I had for friends! I wish you and all who read this the very best!

[@CappyxPeace11]

That was exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life. Thank you

[@janc6281]

What a sweet, smart lady! Enjoyed your presentation!

[@betterhealthbetterlife4912]

Came to this talk expecting a great talk, but not necessarily how she's delivered it. It was amazing, and so wonderful to apply to your own personal struggles and crises. Thank you, Teresa Porter :-* xoxo May you continue to SHINE. Much love to you.

[@nikkidimick947]

I love your perspective and you truly are an inspiration. I need to watch this at least once a day.

[@catbishop206]

wow, that was beautiful. bless your heart, Teresa. You are touching other people's with this story. Thank you for this!

[@decemberdarling6058]

Powerful and oh so meaningful to my life right now! Thank you! 💛💙💜💚💖

[@julietbalcony9008]

This lady is so adorable! Loved her retelling of her experience. So witty!

[@johannebernier3089]

you're warmness shines through your body ! This is an essential to reach people's soul ! And you Teresa has got it ! No need to be a physicist or a doctor to touch people's hearts on Tedx. As a matter of fact, some of them came across to me as cold personalities and for that reason I did stop listening to them and luckily, switched ...to you ! Keep up the good work Teresa !

[@catherinelamprakes7516]

100% validated. You spoke exactly what I felt after a 7 1/2 vehicle roll over and 3 1/2 month hospitalization. Often told “your lucky to be alive”. Wanting to punch the next person who told me that right in the face. You don’t feel lucky at the time. Later, you do discover how lucky you really were, you are exactly right. Well said and thank you.

[@LoisAGrimm]

Oh this is simply amazing and poetic and beautiful!! ❤️

[@rajahindustani1442]

Hi

[@MykjanJan]

I love this lady!!😇

[@Jacadz]

Wow. This amazing talk is so full of wisdom, intelligence, freedom and humour. Could be a full time speaker or stand up comic. Stunning!

[@blindsquirrelsnut9996]

Agreed!!

[@kitchenwitch04]

OMG!! Awesome speech!! I SO needed to hear this right now. Thank you for giving me a different perspective.

[@slawagumuchian9146]

Good talk

[@MYfriendsknow]

Wonderful message...Wonderful speaker! :-)

[@Flosseveryday]

Damn. That was a really good talk.

[@OrahLoves]

I’ve recently survived a car accident with an 18 wheeler and get it. 💓

[@charodharris4930]

I’m so in love with that message. You have to celebrate your scars because they are the proof of what you’ve made it out of. It’s the evidence that recovery was possible and you were strong enough to bare through it. It’s such a beautiful message!

[@margaretvelto8791]

So proud of you, Teresa

[@treesupporta]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@ellesunshine5597]

This resonated with me ...had to watch again and again. ..thank you 👍🙏

[@christineridgway5600]

Simply wow, an amazing and very inspiring speech thankyou for sharing x

[@juliearnold9282]

Wow, thankyou. I cried when you said you broken pieces are needed to build your success. God Bless you.

[@kathyrichburg1270]

I LOVE this!! It is so relatable . Thank you~you touched something in my life about my "crashes"....parts that I have kept and make me, like you, braver:)

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

I died six years ago. It was a very hard journey but I'm finally back. Keep on trucking my friends.

[@m3ta11ica_]

I didn’t understand, do you remember your past life or something?

[@m3ta11ica_]

or have you had a near death experience

[@asphaltgypsy868]

Thank you! This empowered ME!!

[@adrianeleavitt920]

Teresa, you are AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your story and helping us to remember to be resilient through our 'crashes'.

[@Adixonnz]

Beautifully illustrated talk....very impressed!

[@sjcsjc1378]

I needed that today, thank you :-)

[@dissturbbed]

Awesome, thanks for sharing

[@lisaa6099]

Excellent. Thank you xo

[@sheilamc3420]

Simply Awesome, Brave and Brilliant, thank you for sharing this story and inspiring me to let my life grow around my broken pieces.

[@777ruthie]

This is all true. Nothing phases you anymore once you've been to the lowest of low for all to see.

[@heatherburton1629]

You are a beautiful, whole-hearted, wise person, Teresa. Thank you for sharing your experience with us...with meaningful, memorable life application.

[@inkandivy1794]

I bawled at the end dialogue infact I'm still bawling.. thank you so much for this amazing presentation. It was perfect, the way you made it so fluid like a song so we heard every word and the way you tied everything up really helped that message to resonate. I love this so much, you have so much value xxx

[@lynngaribay4090]

You go girl stay strong

[@lyleyla9275]

I am so grateful I watched this! You are an awesome speaker girl!! & im so happy SO HAPPY you are here to share your story! When you talk about how your brokenness is the foundation you had to build on...that is just so beautiful & powerful!! You are a badass! & you ARE A MAGICIAN!! Thank you for your story!!

[@amyjo4367]

Teresa Porter, I. Love. You! You are precious, witty, beautiful... Simply perfect & whole. Thank you for choosing to radiate light & love & for sharing in such an open, vulnerable way. Blessings to you & yours! 😘 ❤

[@kassandrasabean6020]

Thank you for sharing your story. I really needed this.

[@redsloane879]

Beyond excellent!!

[@iwnunn7999]

I was waiting for a light at the end of a tunnel story. Even so, well done.

[@Kristie2ful]

Me too! ☺️

[@johnb8854]

Part 1. During August of 1973, I was pronounced DEAD On Arrival, at a Medical centre, and at least half an hour passed by, and then my heart started to beat again, without medical assistance... During the time I was reported to be dead, I, that is "LIFE My Real Self", felt very much alive, but not in this universe, nor did I have a human body or any other type of body. I felt NO Condemnation or judgement, but only a depth of LOVE far beyond human understanding... I saw No relatives, family or friends, and no Form, except for the Presence of pure white LIGHT.

[@KAP1984]

I've listen to so many speakers on this subject, you were so relatable, .I adored this video! Ty for being you!!!!

[@fredruks1638]

Teresa, thank you so much for the tag "your broken pieces, will become the foundation of your ....."

[@shupuwka]

For the first time I watched it for one reason, but I keep watching just for pleasure now- wise and funny, brilliant :-)

[@kellipostal1310]

Needed and LOVED the talk you shared ❤!

[@KohalaLover]

Thank you Teresa.

[@TaraL24]

What a fabulous and funny woman with such wisdom

[@TheService2011]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

[@tillyvickers2721]

The rubble being the foundation for something new blew me away... Also the "I'm temporarily out of cash" instead of broke.. Loved...What an attitude and a fine sense of humour!❤🙋🏻‍♀️

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great talk. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@aligned4good]

Witty, entertaining, inspiring! Great message! Thank you! 🙏

[@joannemates6367]

You just told my story. Ten years ago I fell down 15 stairs and shattered my foot. This left me with ten screws and two plates in my right foot. I spent one month in hospital, 3 of those weeks in rehab, 6 months in a wheelchair and ten months as an outpatient, learning to walk again. It also left me with chronic pain and after two surgeries, a crooked leg. Having said that, it has been my greatest teacher! Cheers, from Country Victoria. Australia. ✌️

[@claudiapenna8778]

Your sense of humor and message are so beautiful! You go, girl.

[@RealHakimGuru]

Loved this!

[@lateonaname]

This was really beautiful

[@Ncroxygirl]

❤ you're amazing

[@treesupporta]

Thanks for being a nurse who sees people not problems :)

[@mdot1216]

this was amazing!!!

[@treesupporta]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@mdot1216]

Teresa Porter you are more then welcome....you and Justin bring a smile to my face all the time!!! you did really well....and I related!!! 💜💜💜

[@etumnumatthew2286]

Thank you so much

[@rhondagriffiths570]

Fabulous talk! I love your personality! Praise God you are alive and well!🙏🙏🙏☀️☀️☀️🌻🌻🌻

[@shaheen7367]

Very encouraging talk

[@fatguyinalittlecoat9796]

This video inspired me to get fit. Thank you.

[@Nick-eq8kq]

I really enjoyed your songs during lunch

[@pamnelson5087]

Great message.

[@patriciasaindon6048]

Love.

[@BrianJohnson-sy4cg]

God bless you love.

[@medioguiri]

Beautiful thank you

[@katya8369]

I loved this

[@susancorso7186]

Amazing!

[@ceIIardoor]

I lost my job about a few months before I had a really bad crash. I was absolutely broke was about $2 in my savings account oh, and my car was the only thing of value I had. However, because I was so poor at the time I had just gotten rid of the Collision on my insurance two weeks prior to the crash, which totalled my car. My defining moment was definitely this crash, but a little bit in the opposite direction. I wish I hadn't survived it.

[@perettelear6603]

Amen sister! Excellent advice. Thank you.

[@chefboy-ar-d6312]

She is amazing !

[@cinnamondan4984]

My grandfather spent over 100 days in hospital recovering form Covid-19. He went through physical therapy to learn how to walk again afterwards. Covid-19 took something from him, but this video is right, he can stand again and much of what he temporarily lost has been regained.

[@sueschnellmann]

great job Teresa! Very funny and insightful talk

[@analuisamaciel4066]

WOW ❤️😍 love this!

[@wenofzen9139]

a wonderful talk

[@dotty1220]

Great talk

[@keishamari]

Excellent!

[@chumbaamalelthedoc8816]

What a great speaker!

[@l337r0cX3r]

You're not fully assessed until you're fully undressed! Sorry, I'm a paramedic... No this was beautiful and I think a lot of people really need to watch this. Wonderful job!

[@saratonnan]

Delightful. Funny. Great message.

[@MsSylvana63]

Well said ✨🙏🏾✨

[@jenb9274]

Thank you 🙏

[@kimspirit6510]

Amazing x

[@theothersidenumber9307]

God bless that nurse.

[@IAmSherMarie]

Brilliant!

[@FBcruzz]

That biscuit reference had me dying. 😂

[@sungirl9951]

I’ve had many many many crashes and I didn’t ask for it, didn’t want it, and I WAS a very nice person but now not so much because “here” nice equals being screwed royally by strangers and now family. I don’t trust people anymore and have blocked so many people from my life because it just was pain constantly over and over.

[@iracilovely9447]

Chica - you rocked it!

[@island_breeze8727]

I am Indian and me and my family are having dreams of Jesus return. Just thought I might share. God bless. ❤️