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Dr. Patti Bevilacqua, an educator, author, and advocate for disability awareness from Grand Forks, will compete in the Speaker Slam’s Power of No event on May 27.

An advocate for disability awareness will be heading to Toronto to compete at the Speaker Slam, North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition.

Dr. Patti Bevilacqua, an educator, author, and advocate for disability awareness from Grand Forks, will hit the stage on May 27 at Lula Lounge, where 10 speakers from across Canada will share personal stories on the theme of Power of No and how saying “no” changed their lives.

For Bevilacqua, this moment marks a powerful milestone. Back in 1990, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just five months into her dream job as a high school physical education teacher. Losing her career was heartbreaking, but Bevilacqua didn’t let that define her future.

Instead, she charted a new course. Bevilacqua went on to earn her PhD, deliver a TEDx talk, write bestselling book chapters, and create a thriving online community for people living with invisible illnesses.

Now, she’s passionate about helping others rethink the word “no” as something that can open doors instead of closing them.

“MS took away my teaching career, but it gave me a new path,” Bevilacqua said. “Saying no isn’t always about defeat. It’s about making space for the unexpected opportunities that can change your life.”

For Bevilacqua, this moment carries even deeper meaning, arriving just three days before World MS Day on May 30, a global awareness day dedicated to shining a light on multiple sclerosis and supporting the 2.8 million people affected by the disease.

“Too many people with MS feel invisible,” she said. “I want to show them that they are powerful, resilient and deserving of a life filled with possibility.”

Speaker Slam’s Power of No event is the third competition of the year in a five-part series. Contestants will compete for a $10,000 prize package, including $2,000 in cash, and a spot in the grand slam finals in November where the title of inspirational speaker of the year is up for grabs.

“What’s most inspiring about Patti isn’t just that she’s overcome so much, but that she moves forward with such optimism, humour and heart,” said Speaker Slam co-founder Dan Shaikh. “Patti is showing the world what’s possible when we rise beyond our challenges.”

Speaker Slam, based in downtown Toronto, offers a platform for everyday people to share their stories with a live audience. The competition features five themed qualifiers each year, where 10 speakers deliver powerful five-minute speeches in front of industry judges.

The top two contestants from each event move on to the Grand Slam on Nov. 22 at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, where they will compete for the title of inspirational speaker of the year and a $50,000 prize package.