TAKING THE 'DIS' OUT OF 'DISABILITY'
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Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky, Motivational Speaker
Disability Acceptance    Leadership & Resiliency
Diversity    Overcoming Adversity   Anti-Bullying

Companies & Organizations

Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky
 Helping Professionals Soar to Success

Aspiration. Inspiration. Optimism.
Strive for the goals you dream of. They can become reality!  

In recent years, Dr. Paul has received emails following his presentations to companies and organizations. These are among the emails that Dr. Paul has received from professionals following his workshops or keynotes.

This video (at right) shares some of the recent testimonials following his college presentations at Montclair State.  The professor and his students generously share their thoughts.

Testimonials from Professionals
Dr. Paul Wichansky is the real deal!  His delivery and spunk through motivational speaking is unmatched.  They way he uses his emotions, expressive mannerisms, and tone of voice puts you IN his life stories as he tells them to you.  When he speaks, you feel like you are going back in time with him reliving the moments he speaks of.

I walked away from his presentation in awe for how much one person can impact another through just words and life events.  I feel grateful to have been able to listen to his stories.  Dr. Paul truly embodies the unique qualities of a motivational speaker and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have heard him speak in my graduate level course at Montclair State University, Applied Sports Psychology class with Dr. Gilbert. 

As he said to us, "No one can be you, better than you."  Without a doubt, he will move you and inspire you when he speaks!  Dr. Paul, thank you for making my life just a little bit better with your words of inspiration!
Erin Keenan
Health and Physical Education Teacher
North Plainfield High School
I want to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for your excellent presentation at the "Good Neighbors - Community Living for People with Disabilities" conference. Your personal experiences, insight, and expectations for the future generated a great deal of inspiration, enthusiasm, and humor.

Your skydiving video was the proverbial icing on the cake! 

Louis Paparozzi, Director
Monmouth County Department of Human Services
Freehold, New Jersey
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 even a more remarkable person. 

Dr. Rob Gilbert
SUCCESS HOTLINE
Professor of Sports Psychology
Montclair State University
Thanks to you, our conference maintained the interest of all in attendance for the entire day!  Your keynote address was overwhelmingly appreciated and enjoyed!  Thank you for sharing your personal testimonies with the 250 professionals in the fields of prevention, substance abuse, and disability services from across the state of New Jersey.

Marilyn Kinelski, Coordinator of Special Projects
Prevention FIRST
Listening to your experiences with cerebral palsy, and the energetic manner in which you presented the information, immediately put the audience at ease helping people to better understand the disability. Asking questions when someone has a disability can be difficult for most people, but you encouraged questions, providing insight and understanding.

I could also feel your courage, compassion, and dedication to educating others about this disability in a positive, wholesome manner. 

Madelyn Barrett, BSW, CSW
Prevention First
New Jersey Coalition on Disabilities and Addictions Conference
Paul's attitude to life, his testimonies, and his sense of humor brought me to a new realization of who I am and who I am really supposed to be.  The stories of how he navigated the challenges of his life produced the needed turning point in my own personal life.  He exudes a lot of positiveness in his approach to reaching his goals.

He colored every path of his ways with humor which generates instant attraction to his manner and style.  I have to go to some quiet place and bump myself into this kind of lifestyle.  It's a good key to reaching my goal quickly, to live in peace, and to get rid of the stresses in my life and also in the lives of people around me.

God Bless You, Paul! Thanks again for an enlightening experience! 

Timothy Awujoola, Senior Manager
New Jersey Association for the Deaf-Blind
Somerset, New Jersey
I watched Dr. Paul address over 120 high school teens with special needs recently and immediately became a big fan.  As a parent of a special needs son, I could immediately see the connection he made with the children.  They were smiling and laughing at the right times, they asked questions and reacted positively to the wise responses he would give.  He was uplifting, positive and provided great tips.  I especially liked the one about looking for someone else who is eating by themselves and sit with them and before you know it, you have made a new friend and through them, your network of friends will continue to grow. 

Never give up, practice, accept that failure is ok was his key message. Those children were truly inspired and I know I will definitely change the way I interact with my own son after hearing Dr. Paul’s message. 

Catheryne Majewski
Corporate Volunteer, 10th annual Disability Mentoring Day
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Paul has a unique gift of being able to capture and hold the attention of any audience and any age group!  His stories of how he overcame his challenges so that he may share his life inspires and motivates people to persevere no matter what obstacles they face. 

I had the privilege to see him speak in a graduate class at Montclair State University to a classroom full of future educators and they undeniably loved him! Dr. Paul's talks are appropriate for students and also for corporate professional development. Everyone can benefit from hearing of his trials and triumphs. 

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Paul Wichansky as a motivator, speaker, and shining example of how to live life to its highest potential.  

Lisa Sargese, Professor
Montclair State University
Where can I start with Dr. Paul?

Ever since the day I met him, he has continued to provide inspiration to myself and everyone around me.  Paul always finds the good in every person and has a unique way of drawing it out of you.  In a time where there are so many news reports about bullying and hardships students face, Paul has the ability to make every student in his audience forget about all the negatives and focus on the positives.  By the end of his motivational speeches, every student, no matter what their past involved, stands up and applauds because Paul has showed them what really matters in life.... happiness. 

Paul has endured some set-backs that none of us will ever face, but you would never guess it, because every time you see him, he will always greet you with a huge smile and a big thumbs up.  I would recommend Paul to any group out there. Thank you Dr. Paul for all that you have given me.

Joseph Peragallo
Dell Technologies
Isilon and ECS Division
The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum has been honored to welcome Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky as a keynote speaker for our prestigious Power of One eminent speaker series on two unforgettable occasions. Dr. Paul truly has a calling to reach people particularly adolescents.  He is fearless and can break through the most hardened exteriors to make meaningful connections and does so with absolute sincerity and genuine kindness.  He is a gift to the world and we look forward to having him return to share his inspiring message at future programs.

Michael Wertz
U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
New York City
I just finished watching your Ted Talk and all I can say is wow! It brought me back to Trooper Youth Week [boot camp] when you were talking to and inspiring my class and me. 

You bring something to the TED Talk audience no one else can.  Deep emotional inspiration and the key to happiness. This will be the last thing I see before I go to bed for the night, and honestly, I am thrilled it is!  I will now awaken tomorrow with an even better mindset than I did yesterday.  Your speeches are on another level, and I'm not just saying that because we are friends. 

They indeed are incredible and give me an outlook on life that is unparalleled than before. To say they are inspirational would be an understatement. I have always had the mindset of being positive and looking at even the bad as good in some capacity.  After watching your presentation alone, I can tell you I almost feel at ease because you have proved that literally, anything is possible and that anyone's dream can and will come true with hard work, dedication and the opportunities presented to you.

Hayden L.
Class I Law Enforcement Officer
Centenary University student
Wow! Three letters, small word - powerful impact. 

Wow was all that came to mind the entire time I watched Dr. Paul share his presentation.  The entire room was mesmerized - except for the laughter.  Because that's what Paul does - he shares his life story and experiences with such joy, energy, and levity that you can't help but embrace the moment - embrace him.  He motivates without even trying - he does it as effortlessly as he breathes the air around him.  It's who he is, it's what he does, it's how he lives.  He has a heart full of love, a head full of stories, and a mouthful of positivity for anyone who ever felt, if only for a moment, unworthy, unwanted, unloved. You leave the room feeling jubilant just to be alive. 

And make no mistake about it there are also tears - but they aren't for Dr. Paul and the struggles he's overcome. They're for every minute you lost ever doubting yourself, letting someone take your power, getting angry, or overcome with uncertainty. The tears release you and Dr. Paul empowers you - to live life and love life, to the fullest.

Andrea Davis
Writer
We hired Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky to speak to our staff during our October teacher in-service program. He touched all of us very deeply as he shared his wisdom and motivation with our teachers.  We were very pleased with his presentation.  It was extremely professional, insightful, and thought provoking.

Joseph Schwartz, Vice-Principal
Cerebral Palsy New Jersey-Horizon Schools
Clifton, New Jersey

 

  • Paul brought to our lives today a realization of how very blessed we are, that each one, in our own way, is gifted. I have always believed that when the Lord takes one facility away, He leaves us with others far better.  The problem, as I see it, is that so often we are unaware of this reality and we suffer needlessly. Paul reminded me of this today, it is a message I hope will stay with me. It is a message that so many young students I meet day to day do not understand.  Paul's drive and determination, and his bond with family, are what I want to be able to instill in my students.

 

 

  • Well done - inspirational - positive - passionate.

 

 

  • Different type of workshop. Very inspirational!

 

 

  • Speaker was full of energy and it was catchy. He was happy to be here and it showed.

 

 

  • Terrific! I truly enjoyed listening to Paul.  He has an engaging personality and really connects with the audience.

 

 

  • Very inspirational and brings a renewed awareness of a variety of issues, disabilities, bullying, prejudice, etc.

 

 

  • What a good moving speech - positive presenter! Paul has the ability to help everyone smile.  It's easy to do, but not necessarily something that comes easy to all. Making this a goal and not just an occurrence was definitely pointed out, I should work on this a little harder.  It is notable that this may be the hardest goal I might ever set for myself.

 

 

  • Taking pause to appreciate what someone with a disability can do or, more importantly, to appreciate the positive attitude they can maintain. Shame on me for complaining!

 

 

  • He motivated us to look at the big picture to help motivate our students.

 

in-service professional workshop for the school district

Lyndhurst, NJ

Video Testimonials
Elementary Schools 
Taking the "Dis" out of "Disability"
Emphasizes the critical issues of tolerance and respect and relates these topics to self-esteem and the development of a "Yes! I Can" attitude. By sharing his life experiences, Dr. Paul uses himself as an example to help inspire students to learn from their mistakes and failures, and in the process, helps them realize that success is available with hard work and determination. His captivating analogy that describes the long-term effects of teasing encourages students to develop compassion and an understanding of others, and learn to emulate ethics as the basis of good character.
Middle and High Schools
Access to Success:
A Dream, Motivation, & a Winning Attitude!
His interactive presentation outlines a prescription for success which includes strategies to avoid the temptations of peer pressure while re-channeling that energy into becoming a positive peer leader. Students are taken on a journey of self-discovery through Dr. Paul's own life experiences, his humorous and insightful stories, and even a dramatic video. A Q&A session follows each program. Follow-up classroom visits are available to help stimulate discussion, student interaction with Dr. Paul, and critical thinking.
Avoiding Substance Abuse and Peer Pressure
Healing the Holes of Self-Esteem
Describes the memorable experiences for Dr. Paul's success which includes strategies for dealing with peer pressure and abstaining from drug and alcohol use. In his program, Dr. Paul shares some effective strategies for "Saying No" to drugs and highlights the dangers associated with substance abuse (drugs, tobacco, alcohol). He explains how substance use/abuse can induce low self-esteem and self-worth. This is a captivating program designed to discourage middle and high-school students from experimenting with these substances and encourage them to take care of their health as one of the hallmarks of high self-esteem and peer leadership. A Q&A session follows the program.
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