Michael Olivieri (M.A.O. Inspires)

Introduction: Pain has a purpose... - Born into an abusive relationship, both my parents were drug addicts and alcoholics. - Growing up homeless, dirt poor, abandoned by all family, abused mentally and physically. - Dealing with being bullied due to: my weight, being poor, my appearance and my mothers alcoholism. - Being mentally and physically abused by my stepfather. - Bounced around 10 foster homes within a 3 year period. - Losing my father to cirrhosis of the liver at 17, my mother to AIDS related complications at 28 and my only true best friend to cancer at 31. Yet despite all this and overcoming near addiction myself, I am part of less than 1% of people. Less than 1% of children in foster care obtain a bachelors degree and have never been arrested. My pains' purpose was to help people today overcome their issues. There are very few positive examples for foster children as most become victims of the system when they become adults. There are few people who overcame being bullied to set positive examples for those going through it now. My story is about overcoming odds, overcoming the situation you are currently in no matter how bleak and impossible it may seem. My ability to relate makes my message more sincere. How can you talk to people about being bullied, being poor, feeling different if you have never been there? My inspiration comes from my favorite quote, “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” The gratification in making a difference in a persons life. As one of my professors said to me, the money is nice but influencing someone's life in a positive way, is a feeling money cannot buy.