After the initial television performance and video posting on you tube, Susan as you probably know was all over the different news channels all over the world. More was learned about her past that led up this point and there are lessons for everyone from her journey.
Susan had mild brain damage at birth and was a slow learner in school which resulted in her being the target of name calling and bullying. The lesson here is many people don't do well in school for a variety of reasons and still can have success in life. As far as those bullies, though this doesn't help in the moment, where are they now? I'm sure we can do a better job of helping children deal with bullies, unfortunately a lot of what we say now is all about the don't do instead of the do. More on that in the future.
Susan had entered other talent television shows and had been rejected on all of them prior to this one, she had a tape made using all her savings at the time and that had been rejected too. Yet this did not deter her, she kept singing and was on a charity cd, and sang in the church choir. There was a delay while she was looking after her mother and dealing of the grief afterwards.
The lesson here is, we all face rejection at times and many give up as a result of that. Most things don't work out the first time especially something like singing, just step back when you feel the need to and then move forward again when you are ready. Just don't give up, you know if this is your talent, your true friends will be honest with you, the locals all knew Susan had a great voice, I just don't think they were willing to take the risk in pushing her forward. Importantly, don't give up your dreams, how appropriate the song is "I dreamed a dream".
Keep the dreams alive, allow yourself to dream, things change quickly especially in this digital age and there is a huge market for average, everyday looking people too.
