Sample Introduction

The information below [some of which may in time be subject to change] offers a sample introduction which can of course be adapted in line with your event objectives and/or theme

May I introduce Michael McGrath …

Michael has muscular dystrophy.  He is a father, leader, disABILITY role model and change agent.  As an inspiring motivational business speaker Michael is regularly invited to speak at conferences and events around the world where he provokes, stimulates and inspires change.

Michael describes himself as the black sheep of his family, most of who are in the world of medicine.  The youngest of three brothers – his Father today is a retired dental surgeon who qualified from UCD [University College Dublin, part of the National University of Ireland] in 1955 and who recently celebrated his 50 year anniversary of qualifying by attending a UCD Reunion in Dublin in 2005.  Coincidentally, his father's father qualified as a Doctor in 1919, also from UCD, the same year that Sir Ernest Shackleton's boat 'The James Caird' was brought back from the Antarctic to England.

Michael has an uncle who is a retired orthopaedic surgeon, an aunt who worked with many of the world's most eminent oncologists at the European School of Oncology in Milan, a brother who runs a thriving osteopathic clinic in Dunedin, New Zealand, who lectures GP's in Australia and NZ from the Christchurch School of Medicine in the post graduate musculoskeletal medicine programme and another brother who teaches Oral and Dental Science at the University of Bristol.

In January 2004, Michael returned from Antarctica, having successfully led his team to the South Pole.  In doing so, he made history by becoming the only disabled person in the world to have reached both North and South Poles – he successfully reached the North Pole in April 2002.

Leadership, trust, a strong sense of self-belief, a single-minded determination, teamwork and absolute confidence were critical success factors ~ Michael received support and endorsements from around the world including business entrepreneurs such as Sir Richard Branson, celebrities such as Kenneth Branagh and many from the world of disability including the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs at the European Commission in Brussels.

When not speaking, Michael works as a Senior Associate with a specialist diversity practice focusing on measurement, providing clients with critical 'intelligence' as opposed to 'information' and in his spare time, engaging with corporates or grant giving organisations to support the work of The Muscular Help Foundation of which he the Chief Executive and Charity Co-Founder.

In celebrating and valuing difference, Michael was included in The Queen's 2004 Christmas Day broadcast to the Nation from Buckingham Palace that reinforced the importance of diversity as a strength.

In May 2005 in Dubai, Michael received the prestigious “2005 Business Traveller of the Year" Award, sponsored by FedEx and Business Traveller Middle East, presented to him by BBC correspondent Kate Adie.

In the words of Alexandra Shackleton, one of his pole2pole Patrons, Michael continually demonstrates, like her grandfather Sir Ernest Shackleton, the qualities of optimism, courage, imagination and patience.

This was an extraordinary triumph of physical and mental endurance, and should serve as a reminder to us all that our limits are often far beyond where we may assume them to be ... Michael has one challenge for us today

Ladies and gentleman, please welcome …