TAKING THE 'DIS' OUT OF 'DISABILITY'

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky, Motivational Speaker

Disability Acceptance Leadership & Resiliency

Diversity Overcoming Adversity Anti-Bullying

ABOUT

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky

disABILITY Motivational Speaker

Never let your attitude

become a disability.

Never let your attitude become a disability.

Our challenges can be our greatest gifts.

As a motivational speaker, I share anecdotes that have inspired me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Growing up before inclusion was the guiding standard in education, I was fortunate to be mainstreamed yet encountered bullying in school. Rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! Instilling self-love and confidence is the highlight of these programs. A positive mindset can help us celebrate our uniqueness and accept others who are different. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps even admiration.

I believe this is the triumph of the human spirit.

For 44 years, since age 10, I have shared my story with over one million youth and adults in 23 U.S. states and with foreign-exchange students from 20 countries. For 17 years, our NJ State Police has invited me to speak on leadership and resilience with New Jersey high-school seniors participating in Trooper Youth Week.

As an author, my memoir, "Yes I Can!" helps teens, parents, and special needs kids overcome self-doubt and face adversity with courage and resilience. Consider this book a roadmap that helps readers find the confidence to achieve beyond what others believe they can do.

piring NJ speakers who overcome disabilities

Each program empowers youth. The interchange between hilarious and frustrating stories allows me to emotionally connect with audiences, culminating in a powerful documentary video highlighting the visual arts (e.g., skydiving, scuba diving, my paintings and other creative expressions). Former students have admitted that, many years later, this program may have saved their life. Nothing could ever be more important.

My online resume highlights these programs that inspire confidence, personal growth, and opportunity.

Our challenges can be our greatest gifts.

As a motivational speaker, I share stories and insights that have inspired me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Growing up before inclusion was the guiding standard in education, I was fortunate to be mainstreamed yet encountered bullying in school. Rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! Instilling self-love and confidence is the highlight of these programs. A positive mindset can help us celebrate our uniqueness and accept others who are different. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps even admiration.

I believe this is the triumph of the human spirit.

My memoir, "Yes I Can!" helps teens and special needs kids overcome self-doubt when faced with bullying and prejudice. Consider this book a roadmap that helps readers find the confidence to achieve beyond what others believe they can do.

inspiring NJ speakers who overcome disabilities

Each program empowers youth and builds their confidence. The interchange between hilarious and heartfelt stories allows me to emotionally connect with audiences, culminating in a powerful documentary video highlighting the visual arts (e.g., my skydiving, scuba diving, paintings and other creative expressions). Former students have admitted that, many years later, this program may have saved their life. Nothing could ever be more important.

My online resume highlights these programs that inspire confidence, personal growth, and opportunity.

Our challenges are our greatest gifts.

As a motivational speaker, I share stories and insights that have inspired me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Growing up before inclusion was the guiding standard in education, I was fortunate to be mainstreamed yet encountered bullying in school. Rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! Instilling this self-love and confidence is the highlight of these programs. A positive mindset can help us celebrate our uniqueness and accept others who are different. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps even admiration.

I believe this is the triumph of the human spirit.

For 44 years, since age 10, I have shared my story with over one million youth and adults in 23 U.S. states and with foreign-exchange students from 20 countries. For 17 years, our NJ State Police has invited me to speak on leadership with high-school seniors participating in Trooper Youth Week.

As an author, my memoir, "Yes I Can!" helps teens and special needs kids face adversity with courage and resilience. Consider this book a roadmap that builds confidence in readers to achieve beyond what others believe they can do.

inspiring NJ speakers who overcome disabilities

Each program empowers our youth. The interchange between hilarious and heartbreaking stories allows me to emotionally connect with audiences, culminating in a powerful documentary video highlighting the visual arts (e.g., my skydiving, paintings and other creative expressions). Former students have admitted that, years later, this program may have saved their life. Nothing could ever be more important.

My online resume highlights these programs that inspire confidence, personal growth, and opportunity.

KINDNESS & RESPECT

Sharing kindness and respect with 3rd graders at a NJ school.

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DISABILITY AWARENESS

Disability awareness and character education programs for K-5 students.

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2018 Week of Respect assembly at a middle school.

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Speaking on leadership and resilience with New Jersey high-school seniors.

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Keynoting at a self-advocacy teen conference.

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With college students after my keynote at a university leadership retreat.

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Youth empowerment gives students the confidence to dream, achieve, and succeed.

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Alternating between uplifting and frustrating stories elicit a roller-coaster of emotions.

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Sharing our gifts with others. Jaxson painted this for me; I inscribed my book for him!

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On stage motivating an auditorium of high-school students in upstate New York.

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Taking in a spontaneous standing ovation at a Newark NJ public school.

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My keynote during the Power of One Speaker Series aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid.

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Inspiring a stadium of 10,000 athletes, coaches, and parents at Villanova University.

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With some excited students following my keynote at Loyola University Chicago.

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Following my program at a medical school.

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A standing ovation after my opening keynote at an annual conference of employers.

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Moments before my keynote at a disability advocacy conference in Niagara Falls.

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TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHT

"I have worked with motivational speaker Tony Robbins for many years and have seen firsthand what a true inspirational force can do. I have been with Dr. Paul at many events and will say with no compunction that Dr. Paul matches Tony's ability to ignite that tiny spark in one's mind and soul, launching a new awareness which leads to irreversible progress and happiness." -- Mark Ganguzza, CBS Television producer (June 2023)

My programs for K-12 schools and youth groups highlight:

diversity: develop respect and appreciation for those different in culture, background, or disability;
disability awareness: better understand the feelings and dreams of special needs students;
character education: encourage students to treat others with kindness and respect;
anti-bullying: share examples of being bullied and learn to resolve conflicts without anger or frustration;
motivation: instill a newfound confidence to try our best to achieve and succeed;
leadership: a perspective shift that encourages optimism, reducing self-doubt; and
resilience: transform any negative moment into a positive learning experience.

Available for colleges and organizations seeking a conference speaker who emphasizes:

disability acceptance: overcome adversity with perseverance and a "Yes I Can!" attitude;
optimism: offers ways to optimize our physical, mental, and emotional health;
individual and organizational goals: strive to rise above daily challenges and achieve;
residence life: share strategies to create a positive environment and reduce anxiety; and
growth and resilience: face challenges with courage and tenacity, increasing productivity.

Here are recent awards and testimonials from a variety of audiences.

Dr. Paul's TED Talk on disability acceptance and resilience. 4,000+ views!

My engaging video podcast interview on YouTube (Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities).

My programs for K-12 schools and youth groups highlight:

diversity: develop respect and appreciation for those different in culture, background, or disability;
disability awareness: better understand the feelings and dreams of special needs students;
character education: encourage students to treat others with kindness and respect;
anti-bullying: share examples of being bullied and learn to resolve conflicts without anger or frustration;
motivation: instill a newfound confidence to try our best to achieve and succeed;
leadership: a perspective shift that encourages optimism, reducing self-doubt; and
resilience: transform any negative moment into a positive learning experience.

Available for colleges and organizations seeking a conference speaker who emphasizes:

disability acceptance: overcome adversity with perseverance and a "Yes I Can!" attitude;
optimism: offers ways to optimize our physical, mental, and emotional health;
individual and organizational goals: strive to rise above daily challenges and achieve;
residence life: share strategies to create a positive environment and reduce anxiety; and
growth and resilience: face challenges with courage and tenacity, increasing productivity.