Thanks to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and Dalio Education, Will Kirkaldy visited with Carver youth yesterday in the Richard Whitcomb Gymnasium at the Carver Community Center.

Will Kirkaldy spoke about how to overcome personal obstacles with perseverance.

CCM and Dalio Education are bringing in Will Kirkaldy to speak at Connecticut public schools across the state so students can learn more about what it takes to overcome adversity and triumph over tragedy.

Kirkaldy presented lessons learned from his daunting journey.

“Will Kirkaldy has faced incredible adversity in his life, and through perseverance, found a way forward for himself,” said Joe DeLong, CCM Executive Director and CEO. “Things weren’t easy for him growing up in Brooklyn - until basketball showed him a new direction. But then he was falsely accused of a major crime, and later a car accident took a leg and he lost a future as a college scholarship basketball player. But he continued to persevere. As a teacher, basketball coach, and community leader, he seeks to instill his lessons learned to today’s students, who often face daunting challenges on a daily basis.”

“One drill he always teaches his clients is called retreat. In this drill, you are dribbling backward, but he advises his clients to keep their eyes on the rim because even though they are retreating, getting to the rim is still the goal.

“Don’t ever give up, continue to look at that goal. I’m going to play until, until, until…”

He pauses for a while after that third until.

Until...all of my college offers are gone because I was accused of a crime I didn’t commit? Until I wake up in a hospital not knowing if I’ll ever walk again? Until I get my leg amputated?

Kirkaldy has already played past all of those roadblocks, so there really is no "until" anything. The bottom line is that Will Kirkaldy will always play basketball, no matter what obstacles get in the way.

Will Krikaldy will never retire.”