STEVEN BOURIS - MAN OF STEEL
Monday night's speaker, Steven Bouris, a man with a congenital disease which produced a birthmark on his face, told us the story of his life and how he came to terms with the way he was, and how he would deal with it. His life is all about resilience and action to not only acknowledge, but to triumph over his fears.
This journey began with the tale of a school photo, and a black line drawn on Steven's face, to hide his birthmark. The only lesson he derived from this was that he would carry a burden for thirty years. So he rightly pointed out, a collection of small incidents built up over a long period of time, leading him to question the motives of others and fearing them.
Ninety percent of all Australians are susceptible to anxiety and depression. Our world is speeding up and change happens to overturn our lives on a daily basis. Steven had his moment, when he reacted to a normal work day as an aircraft maintenance engineer at Melbourne Airport. He snapped, and could not function. this was the last time he undertook this burdensome job. Another watershed in the life of Steven came when a young girl asked him directly about his birthmark and how it affected him. It triggered all his memories and his anxieties, but it led to a number of significant questions which emerged from his mind.
1. Share with someone, one of your burdens
2. Help someone by asking how they are
3. Asking someone you trust - is this fear real or just perceived?
He also asked how we can educate ourselves to help understand others.
Steven has transformed into a man of action and purpose about his birthmark and the consequences it had on his life. After attending a conference in 2024, and meeting young Levi, he returned to Australia with fresh motivation:-
1. To establish the annual Nevis Family Picnic
2. To establish the Nevis Australasia Foundation.
If you want to learn more about Steven Bouris, you can go online to:-