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Man with severe birth defects motivates Deer Lodge students

Posted: Oct 15, 2012 5:28 PM by Katy Harris KXLF News

Deer-Lodge students heard valuable life lessons from a man with severe birth defects.
"Its just a way of encouraging kids to know that they have a plan for their life, to know that they're going to be, they're going to do something in this life that's going to be good," says motivational speaker and author Gabe Murfitt.
Murfitt was born with severe birth defects.
Instead of letting his physical disabilities hold him back, he chose to rise above.
He's dedicated his life to giving others hope.
On Monday students at Deer Lodge Elementary School met Murfitt and listened to him deliver a powerful speech of encouragement.
"I don't think I'd be the same without my situation.
Having a positive attitude as well to get through it, you really can help everybody positively to stay upbeat and get through the hard times," he adds.
Murfitt follows a format when he speaks.
Each speech he delivers involves an acronym called CLEAR, which stands for courage, leadership, endurance, attitude and respect.
Deer Lodge Elementary Student Darcy Walker says, "I think I'll respect people more and just won't do anything mean, just respect everybody."
Troy Becker is a 6th grader at the elementary school.
His favorite part about Murfitt's speech was talking about leadership.
"It's realy hard to do, but you've got to really try," says Becker.
"I think it's important to just do it as an encouragement. Some people need a positive lift in a day and I think that's something that I bring as well," says Murfitt.
He will give 25 different talks in 8 different towns in southwest Montana through November 1st.
Murfitt has his own Facebook page.
You can access that by going to this web address: http://www.facebook.com/fansofgabe?fref=ts