Swapna Speaks

An excellent keynote that will challenge the audience to live their life to the fullest given their respective circumstances and how they can maximize each and every day.

Swapna Kakani is a motivational speaker in the area of overcoming personal adversity. Her inspirational life story is one of triumph over chronic illness and of developing individual resilience and self-determination in the face of constant difficulties. Additionally, her experience in leadership endeavors, her community service, and in making an impact on the world around her, through insights on health and wellness are key components in her presentations.

Swapna was diagnosed with Short Bowel Syndrome, a chronic rare disease, at birth and for 27 years has lived with supplemental intravenous nutrition and a feeding tube. She has undergone several surgeries at multiple hospitals throughout the country. In 2012, she made the difficult decision to have her dysfunctional bowel removed and as a result, was not able to eat solid food for almost 3 years. In spite of this, she loved to cook for her family and friends, calling herself a true “foodie,” and has become well versed in nutrition.

In those 3 years, despite her constant hunger and craving to eat, Swapna went back to college, graduated with top honors, and gave the commencement address. In 2014, Swapna received a small intestine transplant and she had her fair share of highs and lows. She is presently doing well eating beloved southern food for the first time and getting a Masters in Public Health! She remains busy speaking across the country and advocating for other rare disease patients.

Motivated out of her deeply felt gratitude for the fulfilling life she has led thus far, her passion is to share her experiences and serve others with chronic illnesses. As you listen to Swapna’s story, you will be challenged to rise above life’s adversities, live life to the fullest, and achieve your greatest goals despite the circumstances.

Audio / Visual Equipment
-The Client will provide projector, microphone, or podium (if requested)
-Order of preference for microphone:
1) Hands free microphone (lapel or country-man mic)
2) Wireless Handheld
3) Handheld microphone with at least 30 feet of cord.
-Sound System has been tested for proper operation
-Client will provide a system to project slides and a remote to advance slides unless other arrangements have been made with Kakani prior to event date. If Kakani is required to bring her own laptop, she will also bring her own standard adaptors
-Kakani is happy to send slides prior to event and/or bring slides on a USB, whichever arrangement works best for the client
-Kakani may bring medically related visual aids to help deliver her services

Room / Stage / Lights
-Please have the room and speaking area properly lighted, heated, and/or cooled
-Please leave the house lights on enough so that Kakani can see the audience from stage (if applicable)

Seating Arrangment
-Please sit audience directly in front of Kakani in a theater style setting. No seating behind or to the side of Kakani while she speaks.
-The audience should be seated as close to the stage as possible.

Other Notes
-The Client is responsible for any malfunctions with the public address or audio/visual systems
-If technical difficulties affect the services Kakani has agreed to, in such circumstances, Kakani may shorten or adjust the services as needed to accommodate the new timeframe, without any adjustment to the speaker’s fee.

The Client is responsible for sharing these requirements with the appropriate parties (tech crew, planning committee, etc.).