Barry has shared the dangers of binge drinking and his experience of losing his 18-year-old son, Kevin, to alcohol poisoning with a wide audience. The first day of Kevin's adulthood turned out to be his last. Barry's message serves as both a powerful inspiration and a warning about the consequences of even a single night of binge drinking. Barry’s compelling presentation has saved countless lives and he is driven by his desire to make something very good come from the tragic death of his son, Kevin.
In 2007, Barry embarked on an epic 1400-mile journey, carrying his son's ashes in his backpack, from Gilbert, Arizona, to Kalispell, Montana. His mission was to share his story, reaching thousands through media coverage and delivering presentations at schools, churches, and treatment facilities along the way. Barry's presentation vividly recounts the night his son died, the quiet Sunday morning when he received the devastating news, and how he conceived the idea to walk from Arizona to Montana.
Barry's main themes include decision-making, adversity, and forgiveness. He challenges students to reflect on the kind of story they want to create for themselves.