Brave Little Bear
Dealing with unexpected pregnancy
Personal and student testimonies
and Marina Pryor
“Hearing you speak to us and talking about your life and what you went through gave me hope and changed my life around. I was just a mum before I met you and now I know I am a great mum and my life is going somewhere now”
18 years, Burnie
“You picked me up and moved me to somewhere I have never been before”
16 years, Launceston
“I hope I can get somewhere with my life and my study pays off, you have really inspired me to keep going and that being a young single mother doesn’t mean I will fail”
17 years, Launceston
“I found you so inspirational and just by being able to ask you questions that no one else is willing to answer, has impacted heaps. I have found more strength within myself to keep fighting for what's best. I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to keep going, so, thankyou. Words just can't express the amount of hope I walked out having, the words that you've said, I'm sure will stay with me, some which I knew and tried but was starting not to believe in them, so thankyou.”
19 years, Launceston
“Bernie’s talk impacted me heaps! I always thought pregnant teens were always girls who slept around and were kinda druggies and stuff. It never registered that it could happen to any girl or a good girl with good morals. I found her talk so inspirational and it made me even more eager to stick to my morals and have my teenage life. When Bernadette speaks she really speaks from her heart and can connect with girls on such a deeper level in a way which really brings this story home. I am so amazed at how she stuck to her goals; she is an inspiration to me! I got the book the night I heard her speak :)”
16 years, Hobart
“Bernadette Black has changed my life and is an amazing woman. I am so lucky to have heard Bernie speak; she is such an inspirational woman to many people and especially young teenagers in the same position she was. Brave Little Bear is an amazing book even if you’re not in that position it brings me too tears every time I read it. I truly urge all girls and women to read this book. BERNADETTE IS AMAZING!!!!!”
15 years, Kingston
“You came to speak to us at my school today, and your presentation was wonderful.
It's so good to know that no matter what happens, there is always hope and you can succeed if you strive for it. And not just in teenage pregnancies, but in any situation.”
“I think today you opened a lot of eyes about the reality of pregnancy. As well as the inspiring journey you went through, I reckon alot of girls today got a kick in the bum about safety when having sex. About time too, I know of a few girls in our grade who sleep with guys alot like its a regular thing. I had a boyfriend who i went out with for eight months, he asked me to have sex a few times but I said no. And I'm glad I did, its just not me. I want to hold on to my youth and innocence a little longer. I just think those girls should take these issues a bit more seriously than they do. Anyway I think your speech was a bit of a wake up call for them, it was to me even though I'm a virgin and plan to be for a while yet. So thank you for today, I enjoyed listening and I admire your strength despite all the things you went through.”
17 years, Hobart
“Really interesting, was not bored for a moment! You are a really great moment for so many girls. Your story will change the lives of so many”
16 years Hobart
“Listening to Bernadettes Presentation made me understand how judgemental people can be when they have no intention of doing so. It also made me appreciate my life so far and I look forward to the rest of my teenage years. Bernie’s presentation showed me how you can turn any situation into something positive and so worthwhile. I hope that every school girl can have the oportuntiy to read the book and get something out of hearing Bernie speak”
17 years Hobart
“Your story was really inspirational...not just for young mums but for anyone who has been through something big in their lives and knows that they can get through it and be who they want to be, just like Bernadette did! Every teenagers should read this book so they can see that believeing in youself is the most important thing you can ever do”
16 years, Hobart
“It is obvious through Bernies presentation that anything can be achieved and overcomewith courage and determination when all seems lost”
16 years, Hobart
“Bernie Black is a truelly inspirational person, not only for teenagers who fall pregnant, but also for young people who face some form of adversity in their lives. Her determination and perservernce show that anything is possible if you put your mind to it”
17 years , Hobart
“Bernie really opened our eyes to what teenagers face everyday and we know that if something happened to us or one of our friends that there are options to a better future. The presentation was really moving and I’m sure inspired everyone in the roomto face difficult situations with the knowledge that it will come out allright. It has changed our perspective of pregnant teenagers and we know rather than putting them down, to smile and not give up hope”
16 years, Hobart
“ Thankyou so much for coming in and talking to us. Your speech really touched me. It really makes me think more about sex and my choices. I think you were really brave through this time in you life. You are such an inspiration to me and I think it is so great that you finished your education and nursing.”
17 years, Hobart
“Your presentation was amazing. You have to be one of the strongest people know to be able to go through such a horrible thing at such a young age. During your speech I cried because I just could not think of the pain you were going through, it must have been so hard. To speak to teenagers and adults and tell your story is brilliant. I enjoyed your speech so much that it has made me think how careful I have to be. I will admit I have never thought about the consequences before, but after hearing you talk I really need to think more....thankyou Bernie.”
16 years, Hobart.
“im not sure if you'll remember me but one thing i am sure of is that i remember you and will probably always remember you and your story.im a 17 year old boy from st johns college woodlawn and today i attended a step to the future seminar and i heard your story and i was also lucky enough to win a copy of your book which i have already started to read. now as i am a guy people laughed and said "what are you going to do with this book?" and i said to them "i know that this story is predominantly aimed a teenage girls but there is an underlying message that effects all people of all ages and sex's and that is a message of overcoming adeversity and troubles and while the focus was on teen pregnacy the messages and advice that you gave out would apply to almost any situation". i thank you very much for sharing your story with us today. i know many people were touched by our story, myself included. i already have a waiting list of all the people who want to read you story as it is such an inspirational one. it is people like you that are living proof that anything is possible if we have the determination and love and support from those around us. thanks again for giving up your time today, the day on a whole was amazing and i ahve expressed my thanks to the orginizing committee already. you all did such a great job. i actually had a question that i wanted to ak you but we ran out of time so if you dont mind ill ask you now. through out the pregancy , were there ever times that you thought you wuld not be able to go through with it? i can only imagine how hard it was.”
16 years, boy Lismore