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REFERENCES____________________________________________

“Kris Ann’s presentation More Than A Survivor received a satisfaction score of 98% from 598 attendees

who evaluated the presentation at the 2004 American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses Convention

in Las Vegas, Nevada.”

-Vivian Beyda, DrPH, associate executive director, American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses

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"You really changed a lot of peoples minds about bully prevention being dumb. I want to thank you for

taking the time and having the courage to speak in front of us."

- Ray Nicole, Benjamin Franklin Middle School Student

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"If you touched just one child, this program would be very worthwhile. I believe you touched hundreds.”

-Dennis Priore, principal for Franklin Middle School

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"I believe you have changed our school forever.”

- Steve Lownie, sixth grade student

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"I have observed Kris Ann as a presenter in front of many different audiences. I have audited a presentation of “Kris Ann the Teacher” to energetic young students as part of the “Think First” safety program. Not only did she tame them and hold them spellbound, she made sure that their reaction went beyond mere curiosity about her and her wheelchair to an understanding of the deeper issues of personal safety she wanted them to learn. I have watched “Kris Ann the Trainer” motivate fellow United Way volunteers by sharing her own experiences, and by encouraging campaign loaned executives to model the passion she brings to her presentations to their own presentations that they would make on behalf of United Way. I have witnessed “Kris Ann the Fundraiser” bring her message of how she was helped by a United Way agency to the general public – time and time again -- so that they, too, would feel compelled to contribute.

Never once did she allow her message to become stale or predictable. I have watched “Kris Ann the Author” as she put her personal experience into a book that begs to be read. I have sat in awe of “Kris Ann the Reporter” as she took her message to the airways on Channel 2-TV. I have heard Kris Ann speak on a variety of topics, in a variety of formats. And in the midst of all those different experiences, the one thing that never changes is the quality of her message and the directness of her delivery. You would do well to invite Kris Ann as a speaker simply on her abilities as an excellent communicator. And as a bonus, you will find her engaging, professional, charming, and – I’ll say it again – direct. She is not one to waste her own time or that of your audience.

-Ann McCarthy, Wegmans Food Markets

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"I thought it was a great presentation! All of the others just lecture us on things that don’t really pertain

to us, but yours really made us see that every decision has huge consequences. Thanks so much for coming! "

-Middle school student, Nardin Academy

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"As a public speaker Ms. Piazza is gifted; her ability to speak from the soul is both commanding and moving.

I am continually impressed with her great skill in articulating her message within the context of her audience’s age, gender and social environment. Ms. Piazza is one of the few speakers I have ever heard that can keep the attention of 20 12-year olds for an hour, while captivating the interest and respect of their parents. Kris’s story is compelling, her passion motivating, and the audience ever changed by the experience. Quite simply, she is a speaker worth listening to…again and again."

-Gary C. Brice, director of corporate communications systems

and community relations, Kaleida Health

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"Kris Ann radiates a positive energy that inspires the people she meets, not because she has overcome disability but because she has taken the opportunity to use her life experience to benefit others. She has touched thousands of lives with her story, a tribute to strength, determination and the desire to create a life worth living that brings her audiences a chance to reevaluate the things they once thought impossible."

                               - L.N. Hopkins, MD, Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery,

                                     Professor of Radiology, State University of New York at Buffalo

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"I have never seen our troubled girls on such good behavior for that length of time. She shared many experiences that personally touched everyone in the room. They wrote her notes and of thanks expressing how much she impressed them with her courage and strength after facing such a life-changing experience. Many said she changed their lives."

- Rita Penn, RN, director of nursing, Hopevale, Inc.