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Jackie Pflug
Keynote Fee : $5,001 - $10,000 plus expenses Fee Note Travels From: MN |
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- Disability & Related Conditions
- Cancer
- Motivation / Inspiration
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The Courage to SucceedJackie Pflug's horrific experience as a hijacking victim opened her eyes to all of those obstacles that consume us in our lives and careers. If she has learned anything, it's that we must look beyond those obstacles that get in our way and focus on what really matters. The people in your life are critical to your success, both personally and professionally. Each of us makes choices daily to be happy or sad, positive or negative. In this keynote presentation, Pflug shows us how we can all become peak performers through our attitude and our reactions to change, adversity, and challenge. It is designed for groups who want to boost morale, provide their people with a lift, and inspire them to do their very best on a daily basis.
Speaker Information
Born and raised in Pasadena, Texas, Jackie Pflug received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Sam Houston State University in 1977 and went on to get her Master's degree in Education Diagnostics at the University of Houston in 1984. She taught regular and special education for seven years in Baytown, Texas. In the fall of 1984, she moved to Stavanger, Norway, where she went to set up the Special Education Department at the Stavanger American School.
In 1985, Pflug moved to Cairo, Egypt, where she taught at the Cairo American School. On Thanksgiving weekend in November of 1985, she was flying to Cairo, Egypt, from Athens, Greece, where she had attended a volleyball tournament with a group of students. Ten minutes into EgyptAir Flight #648, three terrorists calling themselves "The Egypt Revolution" hijacked Pflug's flight. A gun battle ensued as the terrorists took control of the flight at an altitude of 35,000 feet, eventually forcing the plane to land in Valetta, Malta.
The terrorists began to execute one passenger every 15 minutes until their demands for fuel were met. Like four passengers before her, Pflug was shot at point blank range in the head, execution style, thrown from the plane onto the tarmac, and left for dead. For five hours, she drifted in and out of consciousness until an airport grounds crew retrieved her body on its way to the morgue. Fifty-nine passengers died during the ordeal. Pflug lived.
As a result of her head injury, Pflug continues to face challenges with emotional, physical, and learning disabilities, including impaired vision and a loss of short-term memory. By making use of her nine years of experience in special education, she has worked diligently to train and rehabilitate herself.
Pflug's strength and skills in working to lead a normal life have inspired thousands of people to set a new direction and focus on key aspects of living their lives to a full potential. Traveling nationally and internationally, she speaks to groups of business executives, educational leaders, and professional associations. In her presentations, she relays the story of her captivity, detailing the skills she has employed to survive and grow. Most importantly, she shares how everyone can apply these methods to their own lives.
The audience reaction is predictable. Emotions are surfaced and barriers fall as attendees hear how Pflug survived her horrendous tragedy and learned valuable life lessons from the ordeal. Audience members learn to look at challenge from a different perspective - mountains don't seem as tall as before, and trivialities in life lose their importance.
Through her speeches and her book, Miles To Go Before I Sleep, Pflug's story has spread a message of hope and encouragement to audiences around the world. Her motivating and inspiring story will keep your audience on the edge of their seats, and your people will never be the same.
Testimonials
"Sharing your experience in such a positive manner certainly affected every member of the audience. I have been inundated with comments about your presentation, including: "She was the best speaker that I have ever heard." "What a message!" "A phenomenal woman!"
- Deaconess Medical Center
"Thank you for speaking at our Cancer Educational Session...we were touched by your challenges and positive attitude...thank you for making a difference for people by sharing your experiences and giving others the courage to go on. You are truly an inspiration."
- University of Chicago Hospitals, Oncology
"All I can say is WOW." From laughter to tears, you took the participants through every realm of emotion. It isn't often that a speaker makes the kind of impact...we have heard nothing but compliments and praise...You touched so many lives...Thank you for opening our hearts even more."
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
"Your presentation was moving and inspiring, demonstrating how much can be accomplished by perseverance and determination."
- MN Organization of Leaders in Nursing
"Jackie, your two presentations were a major hit with our group. What you provided to us is beyond description and measure!"
- Physicians Mutual Insurance
"Over 200 women stood and gave you a standing ovation. Everyone walked away with a new outlook on life and a desire to embrace life to the fullest. You did indeed, "Give Us The Courage To Succeed."
- Thomas Hospital
"I watched the audience while you were on stage and you had everyone's attention. You could have heard a pin drop. You were inspiring, uplifting and encouraging. What a great message in today's world. "
- The Women's Conference, Provo UT