Dean Kamen = a rock star

[GaryVoshol]

Woodie spoke with several members of our team on Friday. One member in particular was especially excited about that. Saturday morning I was looking for an FLL official on Einstein and Woodie happened to be there. His "minder" (*) was Susan Lawrence, and I was talking with her for a moment while Woodie finished his conversation with whoever he was talking to, and then he turned to us. I thanked him for speaking with our team, and mentioned how excited Devin was - "never going to wash that hand again" - and kidded how I could now one-up him by saying I shook Woodie's hand on Einstein. Woodie said he didn't know why he had that kind of a celebrity effect on kids, but he was sure glad it was better than them being drawn to something destructive. I know why kids like Woodie, Dean, Dave, the field announcers, etc - because they see someone dedicated to something they love, who are willing to share themselves with "the peons". Most kids can't have a friendly conversation with their own school principal, let alone approach a person known in a wider context. These people take time out of their lives for the kids, and the kids appreciate it.

(*) - Top people have minders who help keep them to their schedule. It's easier for a lesser-known person to interrupt and say something like, "I'm sorry, Woodie, but we have to be in the conference room in 3 minutes."

[KathieK]

I am always amazed at the time that the "FIRST Celebrities" spend talking to fellow FIRSTers, posing for pictures, etc. and the patience they have. I have my photo with Dean on my cubicle wall at work (the whole cubicle is filled with FIRST stuff) and am always pleased to explain who he is to anyone who inquires...

[Ebolagirl]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

I thanked him for speaking with our team, and mentioned how excited Devin was - "never going to wash that hand again"

Haha, that's what I said too after I met Dean Kamen. Except then I washed my hands pretty soon after that because robots and scouting and stuff make your hands gross.