Author - Business Leader - Advocate
Dr. Glenn Schiraldi, the world’s leading trauma recovery expert, calls this “the most important book of our time” because it doesn’t just diagnose the problem—it ignites the solution. This book launched UACT (United Against Childhood Trauma) and is mobilizing corporations, communities, and individuals to end humanity’s greatest suffering. The movement to heal our world starts here, with the courage to face what’s been hiding in plain sight.
69.9% of US adults (180 million people) carry the burden of childhood trauma—yet it doesn’t appear on any “top global issues” lists despite being the greatest public health threat in history.
645 million years of potential life lost due to childhood trauma—71 times greater than heart disease. People with 6+ ACEs die 20 years earlier than those without trauma.
Childhood trauma increases suicide risk by 950%. With someone dying by suicide every 11 minutes in the US, trauma is the hidden force behind this epidemic.
Emotional neglect in the first 60 days of life causes more damage than physical trauma later in childhood—stripping away a child’s psychological armor forever.
Trauma survivors are 1,132% more likely to use illegal injectable drugs and 530% more likely to develop alcoholism. What we call “addiction” is often self-medication for childhood wounds.
” We’ve discovered that childhood trauma is greater than gravity in its power to pull down humanity. But here’s the twist: every force in physics has an equal and opposite reaction. What if trauma itself could become the catalyst for the greatest healing movement in human history?”
“We are each responsible for the evil we do not prevent.”
Elie Wiesel – Advocate and Holocaust Surviovor
At age 72, while writing my memoir The Kite That Couldn’t Fly, I made a shocking discovery that changed everything. What my thirteen siblings and I had experienced wasn’t just a “tough childhood”—it was complex childhood trauma that continues to impact our lives decades later. Two of my brothers died from drug overdoses. Others battle depression, anxiety, and chronic health issues. All of it traces back to our childhood wounds. But our family’s story isn’t unique. It’s a microcosm of humanity.
I founded UACT because I discovered that 69.9% of American adults—180 million people—carry the burden of childhood trauma. This silent epidemic is the root cause of most mental illness, addiction, chronic disease, and premature death. Yet despite being the greatest public health threat in human history, it remains largely invisible and unaddressed.For the first time, Greater Than Gravity exposes how 180 million Americans carry invisible wounds that drive our epidemics of suicide, addiction, chronic disease, and early death. What we’ve labeled as separate crises are actually symptoms of one massive, hidden pandemic.
UACT’S Mission: To end childhood trauma through a comprehensive approach focused on three pillars:
Most people don’t recognize childhood trauma or understand its devastating impact. We’re working to make childhood trauma as visible and urgent as cancer or heart disease—because the statistics show it’s deadlier than both combined.
Millions of adults suffer daily from trauma-related disorders, often without knowing the root cause. We advocate for trauma-informed care and evidence-based healing interventions that can transform lives at any age.
Our ultimate goal is to create a world where childhood trauma becomes extinct. Through education, policy reform, and systematic intervention, we can break the cycles of generational trauma.
The science is clear, the interventions work, and the cost of inaction is staggering. We lose 645 million years of human potential to childhood trauma—71 times more than heart disease. A company with 130,000 employees lose over $1 billion yearly due to trauma’s impact on their workforce.
This isn’t just about saving children—it’s about saving humanity from a force truly greater than gravity.
As Elie Wiesel said, “We are each responsible for the evil we do not prevent.” UACT exists because the time for prevention is now.
Join us at www.UACTNOW.com in creating the counter-force that lifts humanity up.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Every day, millions of Americans wake up carrying invisible wounds that shape every aspect of their lives—their health, relationships, career success, and even their lifespan. These aren’t battle scars from war zones or accident victims. They’re the hidden aftermath of childhood trauma, and they’re quietly destroying our society.
What if humanity’s greatest health crisis has been hiding in plain sight?
In Greater Than Gravity, Michael Menard exposes a devastating truth: Childhood trauma is the most prevalent epidemic facing humanity and no one is talking about it. 180 million American adults carry the scars of childhood trauma and 50 million children will experience it before their eighteenth birthday, hemorrhaging $14.1 trillion from our national economy annually, dwarfing cancer, heart disease, and stroke combined.
After building a corporate empire and creating fourteen revolutionary patents, Menard made a discovery that stopped him cold. While writing his memoir about growing up with thirteen siblings, he realized their “tough childhood” was actually complex trauma. Its deadly fingerprints were everywhere—two brothers lost to addiction, his family stalked by depression, and invisible wounds that bled across generations.
What he uncovered will shock you: 95% of addiction stems from childhood pain and 90% of prisoners carry childhood trauma. The United States bleeds billions while the real disease spreads unchecked. We’ve been treating symptoms while the epidemic rages.
The cruelest truth? Once a child experiences trauma, disorders and diseases can erupt unannounced decades later—turning healthy adults into walking time bombs of mental illness, addiction, and early death.
But here’s what no one saw coming: The very force pulling humanity down could become the force that lifts us up.
Greater Than Gravity isn’t just a book—it’s a battle cry. Through his foundation UACT, Menard presents the first comprehensive plan to end childhood trauma entirely. Not reduce it. Not manage it. END IT.
The children we could save. The lives we could heal. The future we could change. It all starts with opening this book.
In “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly: And Other May Avenue Stories, ”Michael Menard crafts a captivating memoir, weaving a narrative of resilience and hope from the threads of his challenging childhood.
Raised amidst poverty and complex trauma, Menard was one of14 siblings, each uniquely shaped by their shared experiences. His memoir transcends mere storytelling; it’s a journey through the harrowing and the humorous, the unbelievable and the universal, resonating deeply with the human spirit of overcoming adversity. Menard’s life is a beacon of triumph, demonstrating that out of the
darkest circumstances can emerge the brightest futures. His account is not just his own but a voice for those who have faced similar trials.
From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to heart-wrenching realities, the book navigates through a spectrum of emotions, offering readers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a life less ordinary. At its core, this book is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Menard’s mother, Arletta, emerges as a hero, imparting lessons of love, hope, and resilience. In contrast, his father, Paul, embodies the complexities of a man shaped by his own trauma, offering a nuanced portrayal of parenthood and survival.
“The Kite That Couldn’t Fly” isn’t just a memoir; it’s a mirror for us all, reflecting the universal journey of struggle and success. It challenges readers to confront their pasts, understand their present, and rekindle hope for their futures. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to
find light in their darkness, strength in their struggles, and a reminder that even a kite that couldn’t fly can soar to unimaginable heights.
Jamie and Michael are brothers fighting side by side against childhood trauma. Michael is the author of The Kite That Couldn’t Fly where he tells Jamie’s story of beautiful redemption and healing.
In a world that often feels splintered and troubled, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of life’s challenges. Many of us can identify with being both survivors and sufferers, navigating the complexities of mental illness, addiction, trauma, and the myriad struggles that come with being human. As we traverse this difficult landscape, we are united in our shared experiences — each of us carrying burdens that deserve compassion and healing. Know that you are not alone.
Science increasingly affirms what scripture has long taught: our thoughts have profound power. Mindfulness, the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, encourages us to observe our thoughts without judgment. Research shows that this simple act can lead not only to reduced stress and anxiety but also to significant changes in brain chemistry. By actively cultivating positive thoughts, we create new neural pathways, retraining our brains to lean towards positivity and hope. This shift is more than an exercise in mental discipline; it is a profound practice of grace that weaves together the discipline of the mind and the power of the Spirit.
As you engage with each day’s teaching, consider using the prayer provided as a launching pad for your own conversation with God. Let your thoughts flow freely as you articulate your fears, hopes, and aspirations — for prayer is not a ritual bound by formality, but an intimate dialogue with our Creator. The power of prayer lies in its ability to ground us, offering solace and clarity in moments of uncertainty. In sharing your heart with God, you create space for Him to respond, filling your soul with the whispers of His love and guidance.
Whispers of Hope seeks to accompany you on your path of healing and renewal. Each page is an invitation to embrace the truths that soothe your spirit, ignite your faith, and empower your mind. Together, we will journey through the year, cultivating a deeper awareness of God’s presence and reclaiming the hope that is available to every weary soul. May you find strength, peace, and encouragement within these pages, and may you ever be attuned to the whispers of hope that guide you home.
THE KITE THAT COULDN’T FLY
A Children’s Story of Hope, Faith, and Unexpected Victory
Written by Michael and Emilie Menard
A heartwarming tale that shows children how dreams can come true in the most unexpected ways.
Based on a true story from Michael’s childhood, this beautifully illustrated children’s book follows young Michael as he enters the grand kite contest with nothing but hope, creativity, and his mother’s unwavering faith. Despite their family’s limited resources, Michael and his mother work together each night, carefully crafting a special kite adorned with the biblical image of Jacob’s Ladder.
“Where will we put the trophy when I win?” Michael asks his mother night after night. And every time, without hesitation, she responds with absolute certainty: “We’ll put that giant trophy right on top of the TV where all the neighbors can see it.” Her faith never wavers, even when others might doubt.
While other kites soar high in the sky, his remains grounded. But sometimes the greatest victories come not from doing what everyone expects, but from being something truly special.
This touching story teaches children that:
- Dreams can come true in ways we never imagine
- Beauty and creativity matter just as much as performance
- A mother’s faith can help us believe in ourselves
- Sometimes not flying is exactly what makes you soar
- Winning isn’t always about being the best at what everyone else is doing
Perfect for children ages 4-10, this book celebrates the power of hope, the importance of family support, and the beautiful truth that being different can be your greatest strength. Just like Michael’s kite, some of the most wonderful things in life succeed not despite their differences, but because of them.
A story that will inspire children to dream big, create boldly, and never give up—even when their kite can’t fly.
The Speaker Who Changes Everything
Michael J. Menard doesn’t just deliver presentations—he delivers awakenings. As one of the most sought-after speakers addressing the intersection of corporate performance, human potential, and societal transformation, Michael brings a rare combination of executive gravitas, innovative thinking, and profound personal insight that leaves audiences fundamentally changed.
A VOICE THAT COMMANDS ATTENTION
With over four decades of experience captivating boardrooms and auditoriums worldwide, Michael has earned recognition as a master storyteller who transforms complex data into unforgettable narratives. His presentations seamlessly weave together breakthrough research, corporate strategy, and deeply personal stories that create what audiences describe as “the most important hour of my professional life.”
Why Choose Us
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