“Staying in the fight for life was the best decision I made.” That’s one of the many inspiring statements that students at Lake Region State College came away with after coming to see Odd?Rod. Odd?Rod is a motivational speaker and award-winning spoken word artist whose work covers mental health, suicide, and other
This was Odd?Rod’s second appearance at the college, his first being last year in April. Odd?Rod spoke about his rough and tough upbringing. From having a mother who was addicted to drugs, to his younger brother dying from a brain tumor, to getting a full scholarship to college, hearing him speak is like hearing a galvanizing autobiography. “I hope they walk away with messages of hope that they can share with other people that are going to need them. That the message to ‘keep going’ resonates that they never give up on themselves,” he told the Journal after his performance.
Celeste McCash, who is in the liberal arts program, said this was her second time seeing Odd?Rod. “He talks a lot about perseverance and perseverance is this intrinsic human quality that a lot of us can relate to.” McCash, who is a transgender woman, said she even though her struggles were different than Odd?Rod’s, there was a lot to take away from. “I’ve faced a lot of struggles with myself and my peers and with social acceptance… He is the voice of the human soul.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts please call or text the 24/7 suicide hotline at 988
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