Abbey CBS Edmund Rice

Rory returned to Abbey Christian Brothers’ School to help open its Edmund Rice Day celebrations, speaking to Year 8, 9 and 10 students about resilience, inclusion and the importance of sharing their stories. Following a screening of Apple’s accessibility film featuring Rory, he joined former teacher Gerry Savage for a conversation about losing his sight while at school, adapting to a new way of learning and overcoming his fear of being viewed differently by his peers. Rory reflected on how the compassion, encouragement and practical support of his teachers and classmates allowed him to experience the Edmund Rice values first-hand.

At the heart of Rory’s message was the belief that people cannot always control what happens in their lives, but they can control how they respond. He encouraged students not to allow setbacks to define their futures, to ask for help when they need it and to meet others halfway by sharing what they are experiencing.

Rory also spoke about how finding the courage to tell his story helped him rediscover a sense of purpose and created opportunities to speak to audiences around the world. His closing message reminded students that although the path may change, the destination does not disappear, and that the end of one chapter can mark the beginning of another.