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 uplifting 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 as well as navigate challenges in parenting and in the workplace. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps 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, parents, and educators nationwide as well as professionals in the advocacy, educational, financial, pharmaceutical, and public service sectors. 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 tenacity and resilience. After all, I am a former special needs student myself! Consider this book a roadmap that helps readers find the confidence to achieve beyond what others believed they can do.

Our challenges can be our greatest gifts.

As a motivational speaker, I share uplifting 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. 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 as well as navigate challenges in parenting and in the workplace. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps even admiration.

This may be the triumph of the human spirit.

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

Our challenges can be our greatest gifts.

As a motivational speaker, I share uplifting 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. 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 as well as navigate challenges in parenting and in the workplace. Learning about our differences transforms fear and ignorance into kindness and respect, perhaps admiration.

I believe this is the triumph of the human spirit.

A THANK-YOU NOTE MY MOTHER RECEIVED

"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. Paul came to host a presentation for my pharmaceutical company last week and I literally wept with joy and hope through his entire, riveting story. As a mother of five, I was most 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 share your story -- with love, humor, humility, and great power -- was truly inspiring. I thank you and Paul for sharing it."

"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. Paul came to host a presentation for my pharmaceutical company last week and I literally wept with joy and hope through his entire, riveting story. As a mother of five, I was most 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 share your story -- with love, humor, humility, and great power -- was truly inspiring. I thank you and Paul for sharing it."

leadership positivity inspiration conference speaker author comedian empowerment parenting anti-bullying disability self-esteem peer leaders

leadership positivity insference speaker author comedian empowerment parenting anti-bullying disability self-esteem peer leaders

leadership positivity inspiration conference speaker author comedian empowerment parenting anti-bullying disability self-esteem peer leaders

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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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;
increase productivity: tackle challenges in the workplace with teamwork, creativity, and ingenuity
residence life: share strategies to create a positive environment and reduce anxiety; and
growth and resilience: rise above challenges with courage and tenacity.

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.