Brandon man rendered speechless as a youth hopes his public speaking experience helps others find their voice

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This article was published 26/08/2017 (2963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Brandonite who has commanded the international stage for his proficiency at speaking was a youngster whose voice could barely be heard.

Jason Gobeil wasn’t timid because he was too shy or nervous to speak up, but due to a growth on his vocal chords called papillomas.

It basically rendered him speechless for four years, until his condition went into remission when he was 16.

For four years, he whispered to everyone, to his family, friends and the cashier at the grocery store.

“I felt trapped inside,” Gobeil remembered.

“I had so much I wanted to talk about and share and present as a student in school, and I had to find ways to do that otherwise.”

Forty-six surgeries to his throat later, Gobeil is known for his voice.

In his day job, he advocates for Indigenous peoples, and this week became known beyond Brandon for how this boy who couldn’t shout was using his voice to inspire.

Gobeil was one of approximately 100 people from around the world who participated in the Toastmasters’ World Championship of Public Speaking semifinal on Thursday, held in Vancouver.

He didn’t rank in the top 10 to advance, but said coming this far was a treat.

“The feedback I received from convention attendees has been phenomenal, knowing that I was able to touch some of the listeners by sharing my own experiences, and leaving them with that thought, that feeling and that inspiration to do something when they leave here,” he said.

In his speech, Gobeil explained how he learned a lot about anger, frustration and the value of patience without the ability to speak up.

He considers his voice today to be his “power tool.”

He uses it through his work. He’s the Aboriginal community co-ordinator with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council.

He joined the Brandon Local Toastmasters Club a year and a half ago as a professional development opportunity, to improve a skill he relied upon in a job that required public speaking.

“As an Indigenous person, we often talk about consultation, and we need to learn how to properly consult, how to properly convey our words and our messages,” he said.

Gobeil won speaking competitions at the local, area and finally the District 64 level earlier this year to be eligible for the international event.

He was the representative in the competition for District 64, which encompasses all of Manitoba, northwestern Ontario to Fort Frances and northwestern Minnesota.

“I was amazed when my name got called as No. 1 in those competitions,” he said. “It really lifts you up as an individual.”

He hopes his success in this event will encourage others to realize you can accomplish anything you want.

I want to be “somebody that young people in our community can look up to and say, ‘Wow, he came from nothing, he became something and he’s doing something to try and change our world.’”

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