READERS: For parents and educators of special needs kids as well as teens and young adults. This is an uplifting memoir from a leading motivational speaker and disability advocate whose story can inspire us to dream, achieve, and succeed.
Have you wondered why dreams seem to be running away from you and into the arms of someone else? An illness, injury, disability, divorce. or other traumatic experience can force us to re-evaluate our future as we walk an uncertain path, and during those times, we often find ourselves asking, "Why me?" How do we overcome the darkness and feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety?
Paul Wichansky has cerebral palsy and a hearing loss. Conquering these challenges to lead a confident, productive life, he shows, by example, how we can transform such obstacles into opportunities for growth. His disabilities have not only inspired him to rise above tremendous adversity, but also achieve beyond what others believed he could do.
The stories within each chapter are categorized according to a specific principle of self-improvement, such as self-love, positive attitude, support group, self-esteem, perseverance, resilience, and empathy, which he embeds in captivating anecdotes. For instance, the chapter on positive attitude recalls moments of optimism and laughter that have helped him reject the effects of his disabilities by developing complete confidence in his abilities. Though written from a first-person point-of-view, he switches to the second-person narrative near the end of each chapter to offer readers strategies to adopt that guiding principle into their lives.
A master storyteller whose anecdotes combine character, optimism, and heart, he shows his readers, by example, how to face adversity and become the Heroes we all know they can be. Only then can we become the epic version of ourselves.
Let this book be a worthy addition to your home or school library. For shining your light is spreading your love.
Author Biography:
Dr. Paul Wichansky is a leading motivational speaker, author, and disability advocate who has shared his story over one million youth, parents, educators, and other professionals during the past 41 years. His programs inspire confidence, growth, and opportunity as he recalls anecdotes and insights that have motivated him to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Starting his speaking career at age 10, his achievements harness the power of love, perseverance, and a "never think never" attitude. Earning a Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2008, Dr. Wichansky has shared his story with youth and educators in 23 U.S. states as well as with foreign-exchange students from 20 countries. He has also motivated youth peer leaders at state leadership conferences, keynoted to athletes, coaches, and collegiate supporters at Special Olympics, and inspired government representatives at the United Nations. In 2020, NJ Senator Vin Gopal and two assembly chairs awarded Dr. Wichansky an honorary legislative proclamation for his 40 years of educating our youth about disabilities, leadership, and resilience. For the past 15 years, the New Jersey State Police has also invited him to highlight overcoming adversity and leadership with an estimated 3200 high-school seniors who have participated in Trooper Youth Week. His life philosophy is simple yet enduring: When we allow our imagination and our realistic possibilities to soar, we can confidently leap over some of the most overwhelming hurdles that life throws at us. Dr. Robert M. DiSogra has been an audiology consultant in Millstone, NJ. since 2016. Prior to his present position, he was the owner and director of Audiology Associates of Freehold, PC in New Jersey for 30 years. He provided diagnostic, rehabilitative and educational evaluations tochildren and adults. His 45 year career has included clinical, industrial, teaching and research positions. Dr. DiSogra received his Doctor of Audiology degree in 2003 from the Osborne College of Audiology at Salus University where he later served as the Chairperson of the College's Audiology Advisory Board. He received his Masters Degree in Audiology from Hofstra University on Long Island in 1976 and Bachelor's Degree in Speech Education (K-12) from St. John's University in NY in 1975. Dr. DiSogra taught Pharmacology/Ototoxicity at Salus University from 2000 to 2005, as well as at the University of the Pacific and the University of South Alabama. He also held teaching positions at Kean University (NJ), Rutgers University (NJ) and St. John's University (NY). Dr. DiSogra has presented many lectures, seminars, podcasts and webinars at all the national audiology association meetings as well as at other allied health organizations in the United States, Canada, England, Germany and New Zealand on the following topics: COVID-19 and 'brain fog, ' pharmacology/ototoxicity, diabetes and hearing loss, adverse drug and herbal medicine side effects; cerumen management, auditory processing assessment and management; early identification of hearing loss in infants and children and communication strategies for the hearing impaired. The following is a list of his career awards: 2020 Clinical Excellence in Audiology - American Academy of Audiology; 2016 Dr. Joel Wernick Award - Academy of Doctors of Audiology; 2013 Alumnus of the Year - Salus University; 2003 Professional Leadership Award - Audiology Foundation of America; 1995 Distinguished Clinical Service Award - NJ Speech-Language-Hearing Assn. Dr. DiSogra is a US Navy veteran and worked as a radarman/operations specialist on the USS Luce (DLG-7) - a guided missile frigate - during the Vietnam era.
