The Gift of Pain is an oral presentation offered to children and adults from 10 to any years of age.

A story of life experiences in an up close and personal approach.  A presentation containing the subjects of abandonment, abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal behavior and responsibility.  Some of the additional topics include bullying, honesty and loss.

If you are interested in hearing one of my presentations or would like an in-home one on one visit, please feel free to email or call me. This information is on my contact page.

I have given these presentations at many schools in Jackson County and also in Ingham County. As the Gift of Pain grows, we plan to branch out to all of Southern Michigans Schools. As we build momentum, we will continue to branch out to every county in Michigan and beyond. 

If you are an administrator from a school that I have not yet visited and would like to schedule as session please feel free to email or call for an appointment.

I have been recently working with Catholic Charities of Jackson County, working with Mr. Ed Alexander. Mr. Alexander is a retired Probation Officer and we have been working together for about 6 months talking with groups of kids with anger and other personal issues.

Please never give up on a child and remember they are our greatest natural resource. We are here to help you and the children in your life with any situation he or she may be dealing with.

For more information on how to experince The Gift of Pain click on contact us.

Thank you!

Speaking to the students of daVinci Institute.

Thank you very much for visiting daVinci. Your message was truley from the heart. You challenged me to look at my own life and evaluate my many mistakes and seeing if I am using them to help others.

I appreciate your willingness to be honest and open.  And all your willingness to vulnerable to teenagers and their questions!!!

Thanks Again - Sandy Maxon (High School Principal at daVinci)

Students comments:

I wanted to take the time to thank you for coming in and talking to our school. I really appreciated your willingness to tell us your story and remind us that we're not alone; everyone feels pain.  I do believe that your life could be used as inspiration that is it never to late to turn things around. I know it is hard getting up in front of a group of one hundred high schoolers, especially when you are talking about your own life. But I think you should know it went really well and meant a lot to us.

Once again, Thank you, Kylie

Mr. Grantham,

I was impressed by the

courage and strength that

was displayed in the telling of

 Mr. Grantham's story.  The

honesty and simplicity was

 refreshing, he didn't see the

 need to dress up his story.  I

 enjoyed the fact that he let

 the facts speak for

themselves. I was inspired by

 the bravery he showed in his

 current endeavours, I would

 like to be involved in

 something like that myself.

 All in all, I really liked the

 man.

Taima Marie-

Statements from educators in our area schools and community directors that have heard The Gift of Pain presentation say:

On Feburary 23, 2007 Mr. Grantham visited my 5th grade class room and presented his Gift of Pain. He shared from his heart and soul about his personal life experiences. They were indeed painfilled as he became emotional during his presentation. He generated a lot of material that young children could think about and benifit from hearing. Most could relate in many ways to what he discussed. This was quite evident when he began answering questions posed by my class. I have heard many positive comments about what it is that Mr. Grantham is pursuing. I endorse his dreams and support his efforts.

~ Jim Quillen ~

Thank you for coming into my sixth grade English class(es) and sharing your speech. Your speech was well thought out and presented in an inspiring way to my students.

 My students were inspired by your speech and it caused conversations to take place, the topics of which are normally swept under the rug.

Drugs and alcohol touch everyone of us in one way or another. Young people must know that problems can be overcome and that their is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I recommend that all upper grades students be allowed to listen to your speech. It was perfectly appropriate and actually fits into the language arts grade level content expectations.

I wish I had planned for more time to allow a discussion to take place.

~ Sharon Schneider ~

Dear Mr. Grantham

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your "Gift of Pain" presentation to the Community Reporting Center (CRC).  All of our members truley enjoyed your presentation. I believe your presentation was empowering for our youth because it allowed them to gain an understanding that they can make positive changes in their lives.  It is obvious that you have overcome many hardships in your life and the fact that you are willing to share your story is very gracious.  Thank you again for taking the time to present to our group, best of luck in all your endeavors and your future presentations of "The Gift of Pain".

Ann Canzoneri