Inspire.
Motivate.
Engage.
School Programs on Disability, Anti-Bullying, and Resilience
Motivate.
Engage.
Inspire.
The only disabilities are those we create for ourselves.
Motivate.
Engage.
Inspire.
Dr. Paul Wichansky, Youth Motivational Speaker on Disability & Resilience
I was born with cerebral palsy and developed a hearing loss, but these disabilities have never stopped me from achieving my dreams.
Unable to walk unassisted until age 4, it was my lifelong dream to learn to walk. Numerous frustrations occurred along the way, not only related to my physical limitations, but also my profound hearing loss apparent in class and in university auditoriums. If I had given up, my goals and dreams would have been much harder to reach. But I never gave up, choosing to persevere. I can now walk and even earned a doctorate!
I show to others, by example, how they can also reach their dreams.
My interactive presentations to K-12 students, parents, and educators have these objectives:
- instill in youth and teens the courage and confidence to try their best;
- empathize with those who are different in background or disability;
- treat classmates and friends with kindness and respect;
- examine how social environments can affect those with disabilities in positive and negative ways;
- replace lack of confidence with optimism and resilience; and
- be motivated to realize their goals and dreams.
Your ABILITIES -- never your disABILITIES -- make you special and unique.

Somewhere behind the motivational speaker I've become, the constant practices and learning from my mistakes, the friends and family who have always encouraged me, the dedication to make a positive difference, and the friendships I've made along the way, there's a little boy who used to be in a wheelchair who dreamed of learning to walk. Always inspire for him.
I have cerebral palsy and hearing loss, but these disabilities have never stopped me from achieving my dreams.
Unable to walk unassisted until age 4, it was my lifelong dream to learn to walk. Numerous frustrations occurred along my life journey. If I had chosen to give up, my goals and dreams would have become much harder to reach. But I never gave up, choosing instead to persevere. I can now walk and even earned a doctorate degree!
I show to others, by example, how they can also reach their dreams while avoiding peer pressure.
My presentations at K-12 schools and youth groups have these objectives:
- instill in youth and teens the courage and confidence to try their best;
- learn to empathize with those different in background or disability;
- treat classmates with kindness and respect (e.g., NJ Week of Respect);
- learn strategies to avoid peer pressure and prevent alcohol and substance abuse (Wellness Days);
- examine how social environments can affect those with disabilities in positive and negative ways;
- encourage an attitude of gratitude for those experiencing loss;
- replace lack of confidence with optimism and resilience; and
- be motivated to realize goals.
Our ABILITIES -- never our disABILITIES -- make us unique. Celebrate -- but never ridicule -- others for being different.
Somewhere behind the motivational speaker I've become, the constant practices and learning from my mistakes, the friends and family who have always encouraged me, the dedication to make a positive difference, and the friendships I've made along the way ...
There's a little boy who used to be in a wheelchair who dreamed of learning to walk. Always inspire for him.
Kindness and respect are sorely needed in our communities.
Many judge a book by its cover. Our disabilities are never as important as the confidence in our abilities. Though in a wheelchair for four years, I stand in front of my audiences and share uplifting anecdotes that have enabled me to realize this dream of walking and achieve other milestones. The goal is to help children and teens transform self-doubt into self-confidence, inspiring them to rise above adversity.
To show the effects of ignorance, I recall experiences being bullied (and how I resolved the bullying with love and forgiveness). Interchanging between hilarious, frustrating, and heartbreaking stories capture emotions. This cascade of emotions can reveal the light that shines within each of us.
I believe this is the triumph of the human spirit.
I take the audience on a journey of self-discovery, reflecting on moments as a former special needs child who was fortunate to have a network of teachers and counselors who believed in my potential. And I enjoy sharing that inspiration with children, teens, and parents who are seeking a better world.
Somewhere behind the motivational speaker I've become, the constant practices and learning from my mistakes, the friends and family who have always encouraged me, the dedication to make a positive difference, and the friendships I've made along the way ...
There's a little boy who was in a wheelchair who dreamed of learning to walk.
Always inspire for him.
Dr. Paul Wichansky Accepts Distinguished Alumni Award
I am humbled to accept the Dennis Fenton Distinguished Alumni Award. This is awarded to Cook College and Rutgers University alumni who have earned advanced degrees and have shown a commitment to leadership and public service. Proud to have Dad at the ceremony!
This is a video of my acceptance speech with introductory words by Dean Lee Schneider, April 2023.
Leading Motivational Speaker Earns Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Paul was honored as the recipient of the 9th annual Mike Lione Accessibility Award given by the Board of Trustees of the Community Health Law Project (CHLP). This is a lifetime achievement award for his continued advocacy for those with disabilities.
The audience response was a heartfelt standing ovation to a 3-minute acceptance speech, as shown in the video, bringing Dr. Paul to tears of joy and shared happiness!
Introduction by Ryan Carlson, Esq., the vice-president of CHLP.
Assemblies for elementary schools (K-6)
Taking the Dis out of disABILITY
Topics: disability awareness, character education, anti-bullying, leadership
- Students learn about respect, compassion, empathy
- Provides a better understanding of people with disabilities
- Emphasizes diversity and inclusion through storytelling
- Relates my personal experiences with physical bullying and the ways I successfully resolved the bullying without anger, hostility, or violence
- Students develop respect, compassion, empathy
- Provides a new perspective, and a better understanding of, people with disabilities
- Highlights goal-setting, encourages kindness
- Helps special needs kids feel excited
- Students develop respect, compassion, empathy
- Provides a new perspective, and a better understanding of, people with disabilities
- Highlights goal-setting, encourages kindness
- Helps special needs kids feel excited
Montgomery County, Maryland schools
Ability Awareness Weeks (grades K-5)
Topics: disability awareness, character education, teaching kindness and respect
- Includes anti-bullying , growth , and resilience for older grades
- Emphasizes the abilities we all have
- Teaches kids about perseverance , chasing our dreams , never giving up
- Student programs in past years at Montgomery County K-5 schools in the towns of Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Damascus, Silver Spring, and Bethesda
- Includes anti-bullying and resiliency for older grades
- Emphasizes the abilities we all have
- Teaches kids about perseverance, never giving up
- Assemblies in past years in Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Damascus, Silver Spring, and Bethesda schools
- Includes anti-bullying and resiliency for older grades
- Emphasizes the abilities we all have
- Teaches kids about perseverance, never giving up
- Assemblies in past years in Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Damascus, Silver Spring, and Bethesda schools
Inspirational Programs for Teens (grades 7-12)
Access to Success:
A Dream, Motivation, and a Winning Attitude!
Topics: disability acceptance , diversity and inclusion , anti-bullying , leadership, substance abuse / suicide prevention
- A powerful NJ Week of Respect and NY BOCES speaker
- Uplifting stories about goal-setting , motivation , chasing your dreams , perseverance
- How to successfully resolve bullying experiences without anger
- Strategies to avoid temptations of peer pressure, substance abuse prevention
- Interactive Q&A and follow-up breakout session with peer leaders
- New Jersey Week of Respect speaker
- Strategies to avoid temptations of peer pressure
- Uplifting stories about goal-setting, motivation, chasing your dreams, and perseverance
- Successfully resolving bullying experiences without anger or resentment
- Interactive Q&A and follow-up classroom visits
- powerful New Jersey Week of Respect speaker
- Strategies to avoid temptations of peer pressure
- Uplifting stories about goal-setting, motivation, chasing your dreams, and perseverance
- Successfully resolving bullying experiences without anger or resentment
- Interactive Q&A and follow-up classroom visits
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