TAKING THE 'DIS' OUT OF 'DISABILITY'

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky, Motivational Speaker

Disability Acceptance Leadership & Resiliency

Diversity Overcoming Adversity Anti-Bullying

School-Full-Bio

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky

School Assemblies and Youth Keynotes

SCHOOL BIOGRAPHY

Learn more about the content of my school presentations.

Helping youth find the courage and confidence to chase their dreams.

School Programs on Perseverance, Leadership, and Resilience

School Programs on Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership

Helping youth develop their character to treat others with kindness and respect.

Detailed School Biography

As a motivational speaker with cerebral palsy and hearing loss, I host presentations to share with youth and teens 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 treat others with kindness and respect; replace fear with optimism and hope as they embrace diversity; and be prepared for those life adversities that challenge our growth.

In the middle of a laugh during my response to a student's question at an assembly on character and anti-bullying.

Since age 10, I have presented disability awareness, character education, anti-bullying, and peer leadership assemblies at many elementary, middle, and high schools in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and nationwide. I share with students my own day-to-day experiences with humor, with two objectives in mind.

First, I wants to help others become excited about themselves and what they can do with the right attitude! Second, the program is framed around the positive perspectives and realities of growing up with my cerebral palsy, helping students to bridge the gap that always seems to separate the word, "normal," from "disabled."

I share those experiences that have allowed me to emerge from my wheelchair after seven years and learn to walk. (I think I walk well these days!) The programs are insightful, humorous, and lacking any trace of self-pity. I believe there is no better feeling in the world than to make students smile and feel good about themselves, because they can then find the courage, optimism, and inner strength to excel in their studies, treat their peers and teammates with respect, and be motivated to realize their own goals and dreams.

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

For these reasons, our NJ senator awarded me a proclamation for my speaking career. Here is the press release.

Over 40 years later, since age 10, my audiences have reached over 1M+ youth in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and nationwide as well as foreign-exchange students from 20 countries. I have also been honored to speak to parents, educators, and other professionals at conferences and workshops.

My story has captivated students at peer leadership conferences, motivated athletes and coaches at Special Olympics, and inspired government representatives at the United Nations.

Nearly 38 years later, I have since hosted 7600 programs to an estimated 1M+ youth in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and nationwide. My story has also reached thousands of high-school athletes, parents, teachers, and counselors. I have captivated students at youth leadership conferences, motivated athletes and coaches at the Special Olympics, and inspired government representatives at the United Nations. A documentary video shares the power of courage and perseverance, shared through my feelings of self-criticism, frustration, reflection, humor, joy, and, ultimately, triumph.

Nearly 39 years later, I have since hosted 7600 programs to an estimated 1M+ youth in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and nationwide. My story has also reached hundreds of thousands of athletes, teachers, and counselors. I have captivated students at youth leadership conferences, motivated athletes and coaches at Special Olympics, and inspired representatives at the United Nations. A documentary video shares the power of courage and perseverance, shared through my feelings of self-criticism, frustration, reflection, humor, joy, and, ultimately, triumph.

My speaking resume includes:

keynotes at disability and youth leadership conferences

high-school seniors attending Trooper Youth Week at the NJ State Police Academy

in-service workshops for educators and counseling staff

school district meetings for teachers, principals, and counselors

inspirational luncheon speaker for educators or district staff

These programs have reached students and school administrators in 22 U.S. states and residents of the U.K. and Taiwan.

My speaking resume includes:

keynotes at disability and youth leadership conferences

high-school seniors attending Trooper Youth Week at the NJ State Police Academy

in-service workshops for educators and counseling staff

school district meetings for teachers, principals, and counselors

inspirational luncheon speaker for educators or district staff

These programs have reached students and school administrators in 22 U.S. states and residents of the U.K. and Taiwan.

"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!

"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 written to David Hasselhoff

Paul Wichansky is Making Waves with David Hasselhoff

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

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

Click the book cover above to read the letter!

"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 written to David Hasselhoff

Among my life milestones, I have written a heartfelt thank-you note to David Hasselhoff. David was so inspired that he 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 the letter!

Forgive those who hurt you in the past.

It takes courage to forgive others; you'll feel better. Love replaces anger.

The vandalism to my painting is a true story.

Love and forgiveness are overall themes in each of my presentations.

As a Freehold Township High School senior, I painted this oil painting of a red Porsche 930 Turbo. It took me about 9 months to complete. In the photo, it's above a 40" LCD television.

Last year, 28 years after graduation, my friends admitted they saw my peers in art class sadly vandalize the painting after I left class (and while the paint was still wet). There is no purpose to now get angry; I completely forgive them for their apparent jealousy.

Forgive those who hurt you in the past.

It takes courage to forgive others; you'll feel better. Love replaces anger.

The vandalism to my painting is a true story.

Love and forgiveness are overall themes in each of my presentations.

As a Freehold Township High School senior, I painted this oil painting of a red Porsche 930 Turbo. It took me about 9 months to complete. In the photo, it's above a 40" LCD television.

Forgive those who hurt you in the past.

It takes courage to forgive others; you'll feel better. Because love replaces anger.

The vandalism to my painting is a true story.

Kindness, love, and forgiveness are overarching themes of these programs and my life too.

As a Freehold Township High School senior, I painted this oil painting of a red Porsche 930 Turbo. It took me about 9 months to complete. In the photo, it's above a 40" LCD television.

About 28 years after graduation, my friends admitted they saw my peers in art class sadly vandalize the painting after I left class (and while the paint was still wet). There is no purpose to get angry; I completely forgive them for their jealousy.

Following the presentation, students come up to me, virtually in tears. They are expressing joy and newfound confidence that may have been ripped away, perhaps by cyberbullying or school cliques, when others rob their self-esteem. My stories emotionally connect.

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.

BACK TO SCHOOL OVERVIEW

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.

BACK TO SCHOOL OVERVIEW