GARY SKYNER
Gary Skyner.
Gary Skyner was the UK’s second thalidomide victim and in addition to being a comedian, he is an effective inspirational speaker.
He was featured in the highly esteemed BBC programme Thalidomide Life at Forty which traced how the three survivors confounded the doctors’ predictions and celebrated their successes and triumphs. Gary is married with two children. He has learned to fly, is a qualified advance level driver, a qualified Football Association Class 1 Referee and Coach and paralegal solicitor.
ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE
Real life traumas are turned into triumphs everyday. Gary Skyner's inspiring tale of triumph over tragedy will touch your heart and lift your spirits.
Born a victim of the deadly thalidomide drug, which was administered to expectant mothers in the 1960's, Gary's life was destined to be difficult and challenging, as the drug impaired his physical development.
Through determination, he has found success as a Comedian and has achieved a Law Degree.
He has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that any limitation, such as a physical disability,
can be overcome. He changed and shaped his future by determination, perseverance and courage.
He believed in himself.
Gary's presentations are not your typical run of the mill motivational speech. There is
no "go get 'em boys, climb that mountain, cross that finish line, slay the dragon, and get the pretty girl" scenarios. He deals with real
life: not as a superstar, not as an athlete, not as a famous mountaineer or James Bond, but as a
man who started out in life with one obstacle after another. Gary's session can include a 50minute presentation of his award nominated documentary.
With his comic flair, Gary will show you how to conquer fears, benefit from failures, change attitudes: your own and others'; learn to change limitations into opportunities, obstacles into challenges, and master your full capabilities. He is encouraging in the face of defeat and challenges the audience to learn to think differently, to live life with courage and passion, and achieve what would seem impossible.
Expect the unexpected, as he delivers key information in the most humorous way . His courage, self- motivation and humour will keep you listening for hours. Let him entertain you, touch your heart, and get the brain thinking in new directions, Gary delivers a powerful message, let the audience have fun and laugh, and walk away with a new way of thinking.
He has also become one of the UK’S most talked about comedians and has enjoyed a huge amount of success along the way with numerous prime time television & radio programmes
including: Granada’s New Comedians , Jonathan Ross’s Big Big Talent Show , Kilroy , The James Whale Show , Good Morning
, Stand & Deliver and The Time The Place to name a few.
Gary’s journey along the way has seen him perform in some major venues in the UK including Central Pier Blackpool , Inn on the Park Jersey , Mountford Hall Liverpool and the 2002 Barclaycard Premiership Football Awards where he received a Standing Ovation. Gary has also appeared at several international venues including The Inter Continental Hotel – Dubai.
COMMENTS
Gary's underlying message was that he had never allowed anyone or anything to stop him doing the things he really wanted to do. He engaged his audience from the start and addressed the issues for the young people: enabling the group to identify with the difficulties he had faced and overcome. Positive feedback was given by young people, carers and professionals alike. - South Tyneside Council Social Care and Health.
Thank you for your presentation at our Disability Awareness Day. I have now looked through the feedback received and find the words "inspiring", "informative" and "confident" on many of the completed forms. We asked the audience what learning points they took away from your presentation and they listed things such as the power of a positive mental attitude; never underestimating what you are capable of and realising that everyone is an individual. - Disability Communications manager, Nationwide Building Society.
Not only did you motivate our audience but also got our team thinking too. You showed with grit, determination, the will to succeed and above all a sense of humour, anything can be achieved. The true test of whether you were successful for us or not is whether we would book you again. I can say without hesitation - yes, in a heartbeat. Sales and Marketing Director, Conveyance Link.
Gary's show was well received. Through the course of his performance, the audience laughed, cried and were in awe of his achievements. Most importantly, they were motivated. If it moves one prisoner down the road to stopping re-offending and recognising his capabilities, it will have been worthwhile. - HM Prison Exeter.
You made the audience stop and think about life and what can be achieved with the right attitude and will strongly recommend you to other organisations. - North East CIPFA Student Society.
What can I say? Your talk at our Spring Bash was INSPIRATIONAL. What you have achieved is a testament to believing in yourself. The message you delivered was spot on. - The Reality Expansion Company.
If any company is looking for a message to get their employees thinking about going outside their comfort zone and challenging the obstacles that are a part of everyday life, I would definitely recommend Gary Skyner. - Air Products UK Marketing Manager.
Gary is also an extremely funny, extraordinary and unique stand up comedian
Gary Skyner's television appearances include:
B.B.C Television - Kilroy -Subject Red Nose Day Debate.
B.B.C Television - The Marksman - Play for Today Series.
Yorkshire Television - The James Whale Show
Central Television - Central Weekend - Subject Police Corruption.
Central Television - Central Weekend - Subject Attitudes to Humour.
Sky Television - Sky One - Sky Star Search.
Granada Television - Up Front Subject Politcal Correctness.
B.B.C Television - Good Morning- Anne Diamond & Nick Owen(Thalidomide).
Granada Television - This Morning - Richard Madley & Judy Finnigan(Thalidomide).
Yorkshire Television - Stand & Deliver.
Channel 4 - Cutting Edge - North East Club Life.
I.T.N News at One, News at 5:45, News at Ten - Announcing winning Merseyside Comedian of the year.
B.B.C Television - Over The Edge - Mandy & Gary's Comedy Quest.
Anglia Television - The Tin Lids - Documentary on Thalidomide victims.
Anglia Television - The Time the Place - John Stapleton Subject What makes us laugh.
London Weekend Television - The Jonathan Ross Big Big Talent Show.
Granada Plus - The New Comedians.