DISABILITY & ANTI-BULLYING MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
ON OVERCOMING ADVERSITY AND RESILIENCE
For 43 years, since age 10, I have shared my story with over one million youth, parents, educators, and other professionals in 23 U.S. states and with foreign-exchange students from 20 countries. For 17 years, our New Jersey State Police has also invited me to speak on overcoming adversity and leadership with NJ high-school seniors participating in Trooper Youth Week.
My next Trooper Youth Week programs are in July 2024!
As an author, I have published “Yes I Can!" to help teens, parents, and special needs kids overcome self-doubt when faced with adversity. It's an uplifting memoir of a former special needs kid who reflects that, despite our disabilities, it's our challenges that can be our greatest gifts. In the upcoming book, "Take Me With You," I wrote a chapter honoring the legacy of my late mother Barbara. Excerpts and reviews of both books are at my author website www.YesICanBook.com
When we allow our imagination and our possibilities to soar, we can confidently leap over some of the most overwhelming hurdles that life throws at us.
“Paul, you have worked hard to create the life you’ve always wanted from a place where others give up with feelings of regret. Many people do this even without a disability! You live as an example for others that there is much more than most people dare to dream of. So many lose sight of their dreams and do what works in the moment, settling for a life that makes them unhappy.” — Michael Holak, Rutgers University student
“High school can be a challenge for many teens. Facing the greater challenges in life and also the need to be positive meant so much and was reinforced in your message.
As we stood today to give a standing ovation to you, it was not as amazing as seeing you stand for us.”
—
high-school sophomore class president
TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHT assemblies for NJ teens disability
“You are something that I always wanted to be, Dr. Paul: a hero. Not someone in tights and a cape, but someone who changes the world, one person at a time. I hope to inspire others like you have inspired me.” – Alec McCrea, 12th grader
NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES
“Dear Mrs. Wichansky, I want to share with you how very moved I am by your familiar story and the fantastic man you have raised, your son Paul. He hosted a presentation for my pharmaceutical company last week and I literally wept with joy through his riveting story. As a mother of five, I was impressed by the acknowledgement and deep gratitude he gave to you and your family. Life holds many challenges, some greater than others, but your family has triumphed over a big list of unique challenges. To see and hear your son eloquently sharing your story – with love, humor, humility, and great power – was truly inspiring. I thank you and Paul for sharing it.”
HONORS AND AWARDS
click here for Video, Photos, and Press Releases on Recent Honors and Awards
(including captioned HD video of 2023 alumni award acceptance speech!)
2023
Mike Lione Accessibility Award at the 35th annual Ann Klein Advocacy Awards
2023
Dennis Fenton Distinguished Alumni Award, Cook Community Alumni Association
2023
"Yes I Can!" -- Dr. Wichansky's book -- earns Literary Titan's 5-star Gold Book Award
2021
Oticon "Focus on People" Awards, National Advocacy Finalist
2020
New Jersey Senate Honorary Legislative Proclamation, sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal
- Honored for 40 years of educating our youth on disabilities and resilience
2008
Finalist, New Jersey's first annual "King of Campus Comedy"
- Competed against the funniest students from 22 colleges. My first stand-up comedy routine ever. Professional comedians judged my routine the funniest behind the statewide winner. Runner-up was good enough for me!
2004
Presented Rutgers dining hall manager Richard Fox with a Student Award of Appreciation
- On behalf of the Cook College Leadership Council
2004
U.S. Customs and Homeland Security, Disabilities Program Appreciation
1995
Cooperative Education Association's "Student of the Year" National Finalist
- Selected as one of ten university internship student finalists for the national award
1995
New Jersey Cooperative Education Association's
"Student of the Year"
1995
USA Weekend's Magazine Make-a-Difference Day Appreciation
1994
NOAA Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Council, Certificate of Recognition
1989-93
Dean's List, Cook College
1992
Elizabeth Wehr Scholarship
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
1999-05
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Board Member, Mid-Jersey chapter
1996-05
Cook College Leadership Council, Member, College Housing committee
1991-04
Alpha Zeta fraternity, Cook College chapter
1996-97
Kappa Theta Epsilon fraternity, Vice-President, Cook College chapter
1991
Golden Key National Honor Society
1987-89
William R. Satz National Honor Society, Freehold Regional High School District
VIDEO TESTIMONIALS (on YouTube)
Summer 2016
Spring 2016
TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHT
"Dr. Paul, your presentation yesterday at my middle school was a real life-changer. Never before has anyone ever approached the subject of disabilities with such honesty and optimism. You altered my view of this world, making it seem so much brighter and hopeful. The enthusiasm that exudes from you made my day all the better for it.
Your past and history inspires me to attempt to change the world in ways never accomplished before. I can swear that your words were better than any sermon from any preacher I've ever listened to. With your words of encouragement, hope, happiness, and love came the sensation that we can make the world a better place. I also believe that our environment of media could make use of inspirational and caring words such as yours.” – Lucas, 7th grader
OTHER STATES THAT HAVE INVITED DR. PAUL
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
Marina del Rey
Palmdale
Sacramento
CONNECTICUT
Enfield
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DELAWARE
Hockessin
Wilmington
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FLORIDA
Tampa
.
.
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ILLINOIS
INDIANA
Carmel
Peru.
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MASSACHUSSETTS
MISSOURI
Affton
Chesterfield
St. Louis (4 times)
.
OHIO
Cincinatti
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PENNSYLVANIA
VIRGINIA
Falls Church
Chester
Woodbridge
.
WASHINGTON STATE (Shared my story with all K-8 students in each of these towns -- the entire Lewis County -- during a 5-day visit!)
TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHT
“As a college professor for over 30 years, I've had hundreds of guest speakers in my classes: famous athletes, winning coaches, world-class experts, even the governor of the state! Only one of these speakers has ever received a standing ovation from my students: Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky.
College students are appreciative; they are just a little reluctant to show it! Not so with Dr. Wichansky. He stole their hearts. For some, he changed their lives.
How do I know? My students have told me, sometimes years later.
Dr. Wichansky has spoken in several of my classes and, every single time, it was an amazing event. He is a remarkable speaker and an even more remarkable person.”
–
Dr. Rob Gilbert, Montclair State University professor
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Rutgers University
Cook College
Montclair State University (video testimonials):
- Dr. Rob Gilbert, Professor of Sports Psychology
- Dr. Lisa Sargese, Adjunct Professor, Religion and Women's Studies
- Graduate students
Villanova University (stadium keynote to 10,000 athletes, coaches, parents)
Western Connecticut State University
Georgian Court University
Bloomsburg University
University of New Haven
Saginaw Valley State University
Wheaton College
TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHT
“Hey Paul, it is people like you who TRULY keep people like me going. Thanks for your courage and inspiration, and thanks for allowing me to use your letter in my book! From my television show,
Knight Rider, ONE MAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND YOU ARE THAT MAN! With respect and admiration,” –
David Hasselhoff
COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION. DISABILITY AWARENESS. ANTI-BULLYING. LEADERSHIP. RESILIENCE.
ARC Gloucester County (evening keynote at annual gala event)
Bristol Meyers Squibb (disability and overcoming adversity keynote)
Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey - Horizon Schools
Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey
Central Jersey Job Developers Association
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Youth Ministry, Freehold Township NJ
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring (national conference keynote)
Executives Association of New Jersey (EANJ) (invited inspirational presentation to NJ business owners)
First Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey
Full Circle Massage Therapists (after-dinner comedy and inspiration)
Future Business Leaders Association (FBLA) (high-school conference keynote)
M&M Mars, Inc. (youth conference keynote)
Michigan Works! Employing People with Disabilities (employers conference keynote)
Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI)
Monmouth County Department of Human Services
Morris County Education Association (MCEA)
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New Jersey Association of the Deaf-Blind
New Jersey Association of County Disability Services
New Jersey Cooperative Education and Internship Association
New Jersey Department of Labor
New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) (anti-bullying presentations to educators at conference)
New Jersey Office of Disability Services, Atlantic County
New Jersey Social Security Alliance
New Jersey State Police, Trooper Youth Week (TYW) (high-school speaker on leadership and growth)
Novartis Pharmaceuticals (disability keynote to special needs students from 14 Morris County high-schools)
Prevention First, New Jersey Coalition on Disabilities and Addictions
Project Management Institute, Minnesota chapter (state employer conference keynote)
St. Gabriel's Youth Parish, Marlboro NJ (summer programs to Christian youth in grades 1-8)
Skills USA (youth conference keynote)
Speaking for Ourselves Self-Advocacy Organization, Philadelphia
Special Olympics New Jersey
Special Olympics New York Long Island
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (keynote to 10,000 athletes, coaches, parents at Villanova University stadium)
Statewide Parents Advocacy Network (SPAN)
Sussex County Center for Prevention and Counseling
(youth keynote for middle school students)
United Nations, 10th Annual Special Session on Children (keynote to youth and UN representatives)
United States Customs Service (inspirational keynote to U.S. Customs agents at Newark and JFK Airports)
U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum (annual presentations to ESL students from local NYC schools)
Vanguard Financial (diversity lunchtime seminar for employees at national headquarters)
Interested in hiring a leading motivational speaker and author to inspire and educate?
Let Dr. Paul be the solution!
Let me know details of the memorable day you envision, including the desired topic(s), audience, and preferred week or month. This allows me to offer your school or organization a reasonable fee also within your budget. Discounts are available!
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