Drew Dudley is the kind of guy you’d think wouldn’t have a care in the world. He is a huge hockey
fan and used to play football. He lives in Toronto but travels around Canada and the U.S. as a motivational speaker focusing on leadership. Last Wednesday he was in Dallas at Belo Mansion as the featured speaker for the 4th Annual Meal for the Minds benefiting Metrocare, the nonprofit that cares for clients who struggle with special needs and mental health challenges.
But unlike his usual talks, Drew took the audience on a totally different journey. He told them about his living with bipolar disorder and how he plotted his own suicide. But the very bipolar disorder that tormented him also provided a way out of his planned suicide. His career as a motivational speaker on leadership “came out of his bipolar disorder” and speaking about it is what saved him.
In addition to Drew, guests bid on a selection of desserts from Kroger, Jackie Spratt Cakes, Frosted Art, Dallas Affairs
Cake Co., Ann Perry Catering, Yum-Yum Bakery, Linda Thompson and Society Bakery and dozens more.
Also helping to fill the Metrocare coffers was Art Focus XC, an art sale in the hallway of works by Dallas artists selling original artwork including paintings, greeting cards, books and more.
Artist Martha Box was showing her colorful abstracts to Mary Frances Burleson. The two gals have known each other for ages. Martha still receives cards of pooches from Mary Frances that her late husband, Rufus, painted for special occasions like Easter and the 4th of July.
Photos by Glenn Hunter