Preview the Trailer for the Movie
Movie was launched in Theatre’s in 2000. MOVIE PLOT: When eleven and a half year old Trevor McKinney (Osment) begins seventh grade in Las Vegas, Nevada, his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor’s plan is a charitable program based on the networking of good deeds. He calls his plan “Pay it forward”, which means the recipient of a favor does a favor for a third party rather than paying the favor back.
Survivors Pay It Forward, Survive to Thrive Mission – Voices of Victory
About the Founder: In 1997 Deborah Berry was involved in a car accident that left her with TBI (traumatic brain injury) and disabilities. Her journey to recover was long and lonely one. Day by day her life changed. Her life went into chaos, career crisis and personal hardship. Her marriage shattered, her relationship with her son and friends changed. Before she knew it Deborah was all alone and struggling with her independence and dignity. She was a young woman in an old ladies body. Everyone around her got on with their lives while she was trying to figure out how to do the simple daily tasked most people take for granted. The saddest part of her story is; she longed for a little act of kindness; someone who would take the time to share moments with her over a cup of tea. Months turned into years and one day she realized one important aspect about her life, that kindness began with her, the ability to be kind to her self, first.
Deborah felt worthless, her self worth had hit rock bottom and she believed she had nothing to give and nothing of value to offer anyone let alone fulfill her goals. One day at the cross roads of wanting to live or die she had an awakening.
During her struggle and thoughts of suicide Deborah was blessed with an awakening experience that lead her on a path to understand her purpose in life. This opened up a whole new perspective on life. This insight inspired a deeper look into a process to pass it on to help others. Deborah pledged to inspire and enlighten others with Courage and Kindness. Her book “Empower Your Life, Secrets from a Life Coach,” evolved. While she tried to make sense of the trauma and the grief she had lived through she began to transform from being a victim into becoming a survivor and eventually thriving on a pathway to purpose. Deborah made a promise to herself and to God to help change the perception for the simplicity on one act of kindness and how powerful and necessary kindness is. Survivors from around the world talk about a similar challenge of loneliness and isolation. Tough life challenges cannot be fixed in one day, however kindness is the first step.
Deborah’s inspiration led to HigherVision Radio, “Tea with kindred Souls” and her featured segment Survivors Pay it Forward; The Voices of Victory reaching men, women and children through this powerful platform to transform the world into a kind and beautiful place to live. In 2009 “Tea with Kindred Souls was in the making, inspired by her late son. (this is a heartwarming story that tells an amazing connection between mother and son – even after death.) Tea with kindred Souls concept is simple. Conversation amongst kindred souls who have conquered fear and transformed their life through extraordinary challenges. Secrets are shared in how the interviewee found freedom in the hidden skeletons that once held them in bondage. The highlight of the show is focused on how these survivors – the survivor who is being interviewed by Host Deborah Berry turned their toughest life lesson into a mission and purpose to help others.
Launching Tea with Kindred Souls: One day when Deborah was looking at spreading the word about her show “Tea with Kindred Souls,” she discovered the movement and the celebration of “The Pay it Forward Day.” which was funny enough founded by an Australian Blake Bettie. Immediately she saw the connection and similar message, which reflected a similar premise in sharing kindness. This inspired the featured segment “Survivors Pay it Forward,” and her mission to create a book and CD collection to pay it forward into the community.
Who are We? Survivors Pay it Forward (SPIF), is an online advocacy and community operated for and by survivors. We are an international and USA national association of people who have sustained acquired brain injuries (TBI) Disabilities, Trauma, illness and extraordinary life challenges. Survivors Pay it Forward was founded April 16th 2012. Each one of us in someway have been a victim, then we learned to have wings to fly. We are the voices of victory, survived to thrive and now pay it forward in our actions and message of courage, wisdom and kindness. Extraordinary People Conquering Fear.
How do we Pay it Forward? Through the “Survivor to Thrive Mission.” Voices of Victory. Paying it forward by donating our book and CD to schools, libraries, non profit organizations, universities and the community who are an advocate in support of Survivors of extraordinary life challenges, survivors of trauma, tragedy and hardship; abuse, brain injury, disabilities, PTSD, rape, and crisis. Our mission is to support a thriving community and global awareness.
Pay It Forward Day
A message from Blake Beattie (International Pay It Forward Day Founder)
‘Pay it Forward Day’ is a brilliant concept by Catherine Ryan Hyde from her book of the same title. Some people were originally quite skeptical of the whole idea: they said that it was good in theory, but not in practice. I challenged this point of view believing that people are genuinely giving by nature, but many get caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life. April 26 is a time when each of us can get to experience the ‘Power of Giving’ and a massive, positive ripple effect continues as Pay it Forward cards travel around with each good deed that is completed.
A message from Catherine Ryan Hyde (Author of Pay it Forward)
Pay it Forward Day is a brilliant initiative. It embodies the power of giving which is the cornerstone of my book. It is amazing the difference a simple idea can have in changing the world – one good deed at a time. I hope everyone can join with Blake on April 26, 2012 and Pay it Forward.
Catherine Ryan Hyde – Author of Pay it Forward and 10 other novels, including the newly released “Chasing Windmills.”
Whats Happening in Las Vegas:
Las Vegas is the home where the pay it forward movie was mostly filmed. The irony of this is Vegas is known as sin city, however the people in the community of Las Vegas also have a heart and deep passion to help make the world a kinder and more beautiful place to live. To learn more click this link.
Pay it Forward Day in Las Vegas
