TAKING THE 'DIS' OUT OF 'DISABILITY'

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky, Motivational Speaker

Disability Acceptance Leadership & Resiliency

Diversity Overcoming Adversity Anti-Bullying

Colleges-Full Bio

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky

Disability Awareness and Campus Diversity

Helping students create and sustain a world that embraces diversity.

University Keynotes on Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion

Inspiration on campus.

Helping students learn to respect their diverse world.

University Programming on Disability and DEI

Inspiration on campus.

Helping students develop love and respect for their diverse world.

As a motivational speaker with cerebral palsy and hearing loss, I host presentations to share the positive perspectives and realities of growing up with these challenges and leading a confident, productive life. Whether we have cerebral palsy, ADHD, or autism, our students need to understand that these are not disabilities as much as they are gifts.

The insights learned from my university experiences teach students to let go of their ego and concentrate on self-improvement and helping others succeed in a diverse world.

With the Governing Association at the University of New Haven after my conference keynote on leadership.

As a motivational speaker with cerebral palsy and hearing loss, I host presentations to share the positive perspectives and realities of growing up with these challenges and leading a confident, productive life. Whether we have cerebral palsy, ADHD, or autism, our students must understand that these are not disabilities as much as they are gifts.

These programs help students build their confidence and character to be able to focus on career choices and be prepared for life adversities that challenge our growth and resilience.

With the Governing Association at the University of New Haven after my leadership keynote.

As a motivational speaker with cerebral palsy and hearing loss, I host programs to share with students the positive perspectives and realities of growing up with these challenges and leading a confident, productive life. Whether we have cerebral palsy, ADHD, or autism, our students need to understand that these are not disabilities as much as they are gifts.

I host presentations to help students build their confidence and character to be able to focus on prospective career choices and be prepared for those life adversities that challenge our growth and resilience.

With the Governing Association at the University of New Haven and its advisors after my conference keynote.

Kindness, love , and respect helps build a vibrant community that looks toward our future with hope.

Our NJ senator awarded me a proclamation for my speaking career. Here is the press release.

I help others become excited about themselves and what they can do with the right attitude! Kindness, love, and respect helps build a vibrant community that looks toward our future with hope. The insights learned from my university experiences teach students to let go of their ego and concentrate on self-improvement and helping others succeed.

Our NJ senator awarded me a proclamation for my speaking career. Here is the press release.

Hosting the keynote to 15K athletes, coaches, and parents at Villanova University.

Among my many university clients:

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (7 times)
Montclair State University (6 times)
Rutgers-UMDNJ Medical School (5 times)
Loyola University Chicago
University of New Haven
Ramapo College
Western Connecticut State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Kean, Ryder, Villanova, Bloomsburg University
University of Virginia
Wheaton College

I have also inspired government representatives at the United Nations.

In this photo, that's me behind the podium, keynoting to 10K athletes, coaches, and parents at Villanova University.

Among my many university clients:

Rutgers University (7 times)
Montclair State University (6 times)
Rutgers-UMDNJ Medical School (5 times)
Loyola University Chicago
University of New Haven
Ramapo College
Western Connecticut State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Villanova University
Bloomsburg University
University of Virginia
Wheaton College

I was also invited to speak at our United Nations .

In this photo, that's me behind the podium, keynoting to 10K athletes, coaches, and parents at Villanova University.

Among my many university clients:

Rutgers University (7 times)
Montclair State University (6 times)
Rutgers-UMDNJ Medical School (5 times)
Loyola University Chicago
University of New Haven
Ramapo College
Western Connecticut State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Villanova University
Bloomsburg University
University of Virginia
Wheaton College

I was also invited to speak at our United Nations .

I was a member of two national honors fraternities on the Rutgers campus, and was elected the chapter vice-president! As a Rutgers student for 19 consecutive years, living on its storied New Brunswick campus, I have been involved in Greek life, leadership, and diversity initiatives, making efforts to create a truly diverse and happy campus.

For instance, I would visit the dining hall and choose to sit with a fellow student who was sitting alone (and whom I did not know). I would ask the student about his or her classes, hobbies, hometown, favorite movies and books, and I would end up making a new friend! So when the same student saw me at the dining hall again, he would choose to sit with me and introduce his own friends as well.

That's precisely how I met and inspired former Rutgers student and New Jersey's current senator, Vin Gopal.

As a Rutgers University student, I was elected the chapter vice-president of an brand-new honors fraternity! I have also been involved in Greek life, leadership, and diversity efforts, making strides to create a truly diverse and happy campus.

At any university campus, why are we strangers to each other, given that we attend the same college and have the same zip code for four years? So, at the dining hall, I often scanned around the room and sat with a fellow student who was eating alone (and whom I did not know). I asked about his or her classes, academic major, hometown, favorite movies and books, and ended up making a new friend! So when the same student saw me eating alone on a different day, the student was encouraged to sit with me, bringing their friends too.

When we learn from the experiences of others, we earn respect and eliminate the fear of those who are different in culture, heritage, and adversity. Isn't that what DEI is all about?

As a Rutgers University student, I was elected the chapter vice-president of an brand-new honors fraternity! I have also been involved in Greek life, leadership, and diversity efforts, making strides to create a truly diverse and happy campus.

At any university campus, why are we strangers to each other, given we have the same zip code for four years? At the dining hall, I often scanned around the room and sat with a fellow student who was eating alone (and whom I did not know). I asked about his or her classes, academic major, hometown, favorite movies and books, and ended up making a new friend! So when the same student saw me eating alone on a different day, the student was encouraged to sit with me, bringing their friends to meet me.

When we learn from the experiences of others, we earn respect and also eliminate the fear of those who are different in culture, heritage, and adversity. Isn't that what diversity and inclusion is all about?

Hosting the keynote to 10K athletes, coaches, and parents at Villanova University.

Among my many university clients:

Rutgers University (7 times)
Montclair State University (6 times)
Rutgers-UMDNJ Medical School (5 times)
Loyola University Chicago
University of New Haven
Ramapo College
Western Connecticut State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Kean, Ryder, Villanova, Bloomsburg University
University of Virginia
Wheaton College

I have also been invited to speak at the United Nations .

Here are more details about my academic background.

I have earned a Ph.D in environmental and atmospheric sciences

Recipient of the first annual NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Graduate Scholar award

Lead author of a book chapter in New Jersey's Environments: Past, Present, and Future

My Ph.D research was featured as a New York Times cover story

Click the photo (below) to read the New York Times article.

Here are more details about my academic background.

I have earned a Ph.D in environmental and atmospheric sciences

Recipient of the first annual NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Graduate Scholar award

Lead author of a book chapter in New Jersey's Environments: Past, Present, and Future

My Ph.D research was featured as a New York Times cover story

Click the photo (at right) to read the New York Times article.

Here are more details about my academic background:

Earned a Ph.D in environmental and atmospheric sciences
Recipient of the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Graduate Scholar award
Lead author of a book chapter in New Jersey's Environments: Past, Present, and Future
My Ph.D research was featured as a New York Times cover story (in color!)
Received a distinguished alumni award from Rutgers University

Click the photo (at right) to read the New York Times cover story.

"Each of us can be heroes - in other words, ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances - like our favorite television characters do each week."

-- Paul Stuart Wichansky

in a letter to David Hasselhoff

Among my life milestones, I have written a heartfelt thank-you note to David Hasselhoff. David was so inspired that he has published my entire letter in his official autobiography.

My letter is the only fan letter in David's book.

Click the book cover to read my letter!

"Each of us can be heroes - ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances - like our favorite television characters do each week."

-- Paul Stuart Wichansky

in a letter to David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff was so inspired by my story that he generously published my heartfelt thank-you note in his official autobiography.

My letter is the only fan letter published in David's book.

"Each of us can be heroes - ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances - like our favorite television characters do each week."

-- Paul Stuart Wichansky

in my letter to David

David Hasselhoff was so inspired by my story that he generously published my thank-you note in his official autobiography.

My letter is the only fan letter published in David's book. Click here to read it!

Following the presentation, students come up to me, virtually in tears. I understand they are expressing joy and newfound confidence to dedicate themselves further to their academics and prospective career paths. My stories emotionally connect.