Testimonials

Keynotes

Corporate | Mental Health | Veterans Affairs | Corrections | Education | Faith | Seniors

Corporate

The Conference Board of Canada, Calgary, AB - Your story is one of extraordinary courage and you are an exceptional Canadian role model complete with vitality and strength. Your presentation, "From Obstacles to Opportunities" contributed to heightening awareness of mental health on the corporate stage through sharing your personal life journey, and how you were able to move from unwellness to wellness. Thank you again for your personal contribution in making this event a tremendous success.
- Elizabeth Lengyel, Program Director

TD Canada Trust, Toronto, ON - The management group was most intrigued by your personal story, where your book has taken you, and that people that you interviewed. The application of integrity to our daily responsibilities, and the notion that "heroes are each and every one of us who aim to do their best" were clear messages that impressed the group.
- Dave Ryder, Branch Manager

Town of Ajax, Economic Development Office, Ajax, ON - Barry's keynote was well received by Ajax's Small Business Community. His enthusiasm coupled with a remarkable story of overcoming obstacles to achieve success, proved motivational and inspirational to those in attendance. I have received many positive comments in response to the presentation.
- Nadia Sukovski, Senior Economic Development Officer

HAPPEN (Halton & Peel Employment Network), Burlington, ON - Your presentation was especially well received by our members, and your professionalism certainly captivated the audience's attention. Your ability to present the subject with excitement, warmth and enthusiasm also added to the presentation, and gave us much to consider.
- Francis McKenzie

The Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services, Grimsby, ON - Our workshop attendees found your session to be informative and engaging. Thank you for contributing to our event in such a positive way and congratulations on a job well done.
- Henrietta Ross, Executive Director

Decor By Dominique, Toronto, ON - Your message of hope and persistence stuck in our head. The phrase you repeated: " why not?", has made us think and re-evaluate. Thank you.
-Dominique and Ian Jones.

Mental Health

Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON - Thank you for a wonderful presentation: Overcoming Mental Illness, The Possibility of Thriving, Not Just Surviving, at our Hospital Rounds. Your presentation was well received, and we had alot of positive feedback. It was a good message that underlines the importance of the individual to seek help in all aspects of life: physical, social, spiritual, etc, and it supports the work we do at Homewood.
- Edgardo Perez, M.D., CEO and President

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC - Your presentation was very timely and informative. I'm sure many people there found strength in your message. Keep up your good work, and thank you again for your delightful and thoughtful presentation.
- Rennie Hoffman, Executive Director, MDABC

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC - I was very moved by your sense of compassion, challenged & inspired by your focus on finding meaning in the suffering, and impressed by your holistic attitude towards mental health involving the physical, mental, spiritual and social. I am a mental health counselor working with teens who suffer from mental illness, and I brought one of my clients. She was blown away by your story. We both agreed that hearing from someone who has "been there, done that" is often more impacting than a session with a professional ( myself included). Thank you. You are an amazing man with an amazing gift. I really love how you have taken what was a "mess" in your life, and made it your "message."
- Esther Groenhof, MA.

Friends and Advocates Centre, Toronto, ON - The lessons you pass on of your own experiences, and those of individuals who have related their stories to you, give us all hope that we too may one day find our own path to a richer, fuller, more meaningful life. Your easy-going manner and personal attention to individuals and their questions, serve as a refreshing change to our members who are more often used to being either abused or ignored by persons in authority.
- Lenette Powell-Flowers, Executive Director

Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markham, ON - Thank you for sharing your recovery story with our members. Several individuals approached me after your visit, and let me know that they found your words inspiring, provocative and motivating. I believe you gave our members a gift by offering your personal story, and I thank you for your generosity.
- Karen McLeod RN

Whitby Mental Health Centre, Whitby, ON - Barry not only goes beyond the call, he delivers with grace and dignity. With his keen sense of humour, he brings to life, that deep within us all, there is hope. He interacts with those he speaks to, and encourages them to look inside themselves, to discover that healing is a partnership with those who care about you. It is with the greatest of respect and admiration that I would encourage everyone to listen to his story, it is life changing.
- John Dick, Facilitator, Patient Council

Canadian Mental Health Association, St. Andrews, NB - I found the keynote address that Barry gave to be very courageous. Barry's success story is of great inspiration to those who are dealing directly with mental illness and indirectly through family members.
- Tracy Ryan, Executive Director, CMHA NB.

Barry's message of hope in the midst of mental illness is important for everyone to hear: professionals, clients and family members. He provides the listener with a renewed opportunity to see all the possibilities in life and in living.
- Annette Harland, Regional Manager, Mental Health Services, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, St. George, NB

His story is both amazing and moving; most people came away from the session in awe and with a health respect for the perseverance and optimistic spirit of this man. Barry brought us hope as he gave us a new look at how one person managed and overcome his mental illness. Thank you Barry!
- Kathy Smith, Vocational support worker, Working Stronger Together

Canadian Mental Health Association, Acton, ON - The connection Barry made with all of us felt good. Even though now he seems to be on a solid road in his life, he had a way of equalizing with all of us in a nurturing and sensitive way. He has shown us that we can lead more stable lives if we are patient, take small steps, understand our limitations, and grow within that context.
- Group member.

Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto, ON - Your honesty and sense of humour helped to make your personal story both real and inspiring for our clients. Your journey from severe illness to mental wellness is inspirational.
- Eric Claman, Peer Support Worker

Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor, ON - Barry Shainbaum was the keynote speaker at our AGM in 2006. Barry is an engaging speaker, who immediately hooks his audience with those tools most dear to him: in depth story telling, and his love of music. I enjoyed Barry's easy manner with his audience, he graciously welcomed our questions and suggestions. Mr. Shainbaum gave of himself, so that we were left with some inspiration, awareness and hope.
- Pam Hines, CEO, & Rachel Shore, Speaker's Bureau Volunteer.

Gateway Residential & Community Support Services, Welland, ON - You are a highly intelligent person, and you have turned into an opportunity, a situation that has devastated many. You are an effective communicator and both our consumers and professionals in attendance were captivated by your presentation.
- John Osczpko, Executive Director

Ontario Peer Development Initiative, Toronto, ON - The story of your triumph over adversity, punctuated with gentle musical interludes on the guitar and personal spiritual insights brought a renewed sense of encouragement to your listeners.
- Janice Towndrow, Peer Advisor

Mental Health Centre, Penetanguishene, ON - Barry's presentation was clearly, articulately and compassionately delivered, and was enjoyed by the whole audience of staff members, clients, family members and members of the hospital volunteer association. I would recommend this workshop for staff, clients and family members involved in mental health and wellness, it inspired and brought hope to many.
- Ruth Cameron, RN, Program Coordinator

Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka, Bracebridge, ON - Your presentation was informative, thoughtful, thought provoking and encouraging. You did not attempt to avoid the more difficult aspects of your experience, while at the same time your remained respectful of yourself and others.
- Mary Shirley-Thompson, Supervisor, Children's Mental Health

Spark of Brilliance, Guelph, ON - We chose Barry to speak to our community in his role as author, photographer and mental health activist, to exemplify the power of overcoming adversity through to a connection to one's creative spirit. Barry puts his heart and soul into his public appearances.
- Judith Rosenberg, Founder.

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON - In Barry's presentation, "Overcoming Bipolar Disorder, How I Transformed My Life", he discussed his long struggle and how he came out ahead. Barry stressed that everyone can make a difference in their own way. Our audience enjoyed this speaker and found his material to give them food for thought.
- Eric Jonasson, Information/Resources

The Salvation Army, Toronto, ON - You spoke with knowledge and passion as well as compassion. I appreciated your patience with those who seemed irritated at times, many of the people in our community have challenges to reasoning rationally, you were wonderful with them.
- Lt. Linda Farr, Pastor.

Northeast Mental Health Centre, North Bay, ON - You reminded me about the strength and power of the human spirit. Thank you for the gift of your time, your compelling words of wisdom and for your exquisite photos.
- Fernanda Fesco, M.Sc., Behaviour Therapist, Senior's Mental Health Program.

Council of Consumer/Survivor & Family Initiatives, Bracebridge, ON -  Thanks to people like you who have the courage to speak out about your experience, we had several people come forward looking for help. That's what I was hoping for.
- Carla Harmer, Program Co-ordinator.

Veterans Affairs

CFB Trenton, Trenton, ON - Barry helped us inspire our Veterans Affairs staff to become more passionate about how they help in the journey to recovery, personal fulfillment and productivity.
- staff member

U.S. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco, CA - Thank you for these hope-inspiring books for our nursing competency event. I do think the books will be inspirational to both staff and veterans.
- Janet Vassar, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Advisor

Corrections

Warkworth Institution, Warkworth, ON - Your speech was one of our best attended events, and I noticed the men in attendance were very engaged in the presentation. Many inmates expressed how interesting it was for them, and a number of staff appreciated what you said as it resonated with their teachings and programs.
- Rev. Beryl Orok, Chaplain, Restorative Justice Committee Chairwoman

Education

York University, Toronto, ON - Thank you for your presentation on people of integrity to our graduate students in our Faculty of Environmental Studies. Your enthusiasm was as inspiring to the students as the subject matter itself. You showed us the importance of speaking with our own voice, as well as the importance of focus and attention to detail, all of which we have stressed throughout the year.
- Wayne Roberts, PhD, Lori Stahlbrand, MES.

Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, ON - I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and my students for your excellent presentation to the psychopathology class. Your presentation was very informative, and we appreciate you sharing your experience with us.
- Judith Levene, professor, Faculty of Social Work

Silverthorne Collegiate Institute, Toronto, ON - The history department was delighted to have guest speaker and photographer Barry Shainbaum. Barry's stories of the commitments of the heroes toward their causes, engaged the students sufficiently, to push them to ask questions at a deeper level. The level of interaction also indicated a rapport that Barry created with his intimate and in depth understanding of the heroes. We recommend Barry as a capable and adaptable presenter.
- R. Panas, L. Stromberg, B. Menzo, G. Young, teachers.

St. Paul Catholic Secondary School, Mississauga, ON - Barry's personal story and openness to sharing the "dark side" of his experience, captured the students' attention and touched their hearts. With his triumph over huge obstacles in his life, Barry brings a sense of hope to others. Barry's developed skill as a juggler is a metaphor for the persistence and focus necessary to get through rough times, and take advantage of opportunities that lead to success, something he has done with grace and courage.
- Margie Lannon, Mike Rahal

Cardinal Leger Secondary School, Brampton, ON - Barry Shainbaum spoke to 1600 students and 100 staff. Barry spoke calmly and strongly to the students about focus and vision and urged each one of us present to look into their own minds and souls. He urged them to get involved in helping and reaching out to their families and communities, and answered their many questions in an honest and candid way. They loved him! I would recommend Barry Shainbaum to any school or community group, as he would enhance your life and programme and would be an inspiration and a strength.
- Ann Murphy, teacher, librarian.

Faith

Beth Jacob Synagogue, Hamilton, ON - People enjoyed your talk and found it inspiring. They commented on your courage to talk about your difficult journey from illness to health.
- Maureen Price, organizer

Faith Sanctuary Pentecostal Church, Toronto, ON - The highlight of the presentation was when you shared your personal experience with mood disorders. It makes it real for the listeners. We hope to have you back again.
- Colleen Palmer, organizer

Seniors

Baycrest/Wagman Centre, Toronto, ON - I want to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation for your inspirational talk, entertaining sing-a-long and juggling demonstration. The response from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. We would like to encourage you in your endeavours to bring your message of hope to seniors as it was very much appreciated by those who attended your session. Thank you again for your remarkable way with all of our people, and we hope to see you again in the future.
- Karen Wall, Therapeutic Recreation Student

Castleview Wychwood Towers, Toronto, ON - Barry has sung and played guitar at our "coffeehouse" at Castleview Wychwood Towers Long Term Care Home for the past 15 years. His music really hits the spot with our seniors. They clap their hands, sing along and dance to his music. They really enjoy themselves.
- Marg Iwata, coffeehouse co-ordinator