These are some of the in-service professional and organizational testimonials following the motivational programs and keynotes delivered by Paul Stuart Wichansky.
I attended the conference at Harbor School. I just wanted you to know how truly amazing you are, but you probably know that already. I was so touched I cannot even put it into words. I deal with depression and anxiety everyday. I am getting help for it but is a battle and is very hard at times. I have been putting off many things in my life like relationships, college, and social events.
I have missed so much. I am moving to South Carolina in November to get a brand new start. You instilled in me so much courage and to not let our disabilities get the best of us. You gave me so much hope and shed a big beam of light in my path of darkness. Don't ever stop doing what you are doing. You have changed my life and I bet millons of others. So I thank you!
When I finish school I will sent you a copy of my diploma and its going to read: Thank you Paul, "this ones for you!"
Amanda R., TeacherIn-Service Professional Workshop
A Vision in Motion, an organization of presenters who have overcome major adversities to inspire and positively influence the lives of others, provided a series of speakers who demonstrated ways in which they find peace.
One of these speakers was Paul Stuart Wichansky, whose personal story is inspirational. He has overcome the challenges of cerebral palsy to become a Ph.D. candidate in Atmospheric Science at Rutgers University.
The United Nations, Agenda & Activities2002 Special Session on ChildrenNew York City
Your keynote was the culmination of three days of touching stories and inspirational words at the 9th Annual New Jersey State Elks Association Peer Leadership Conference. We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback regarding your program from both students and advisors. It is evident that many were moved by your words:
Your keynote brought a powerful message to our peer leaders regarding the ability we all possess to accomplish goals we set for ourselves.
Diane Litterer, MPA, CPSExecutive DirectorPrevention Links
As I shared with you that day, I had my greatest round of golf that morning. Your response was. "What did you shoot?" I actually did not need to be on a golf course to get my Hole-in-One. Hearing you speak was better than any game I could have played.
I truly loved hearing all about your experiences and many challenges you faced while growing up. You always saw yourself as very capable and able to accomplish any task you set out to do and you did that very successfully. I am very proud of you and the person you have become.
Cantor Wayne SietTemple Shaari Emeth, Manalapan, N.J.
Your friendly and open nature is simply magnetic, and it's easy to see how students, and people in general, are drawn to you.
There are few people in this world who possess the God-given talent to single-handedly transform others' attitudes and perspectives in a positive way, and you, dear Paul, have undoubtedly been chosen to be one of them.
Paula Little, ParentBarnegat, New Jersey
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, and the skydiving video was the proverbial icing on the cake!
Louis Paparozzi, DirectorMonmouth County Department of Human Services
There are just no words for me even to say. His speech makes us realize what we take for granted each and every day. That's why we all have to walk with faith, because it brings out the strength in us which we can instill in our children and others around us.
Thank you for one of the best in-services that I have been to since I worked for R.K.S.-Alpha School, because Paul Stuart Wichansky IS reality. And hopefully from one of our founder schools, that will be one of our students giving a speech.
Serra L. AldenIn-Service Professional Workshop
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.
Paul 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! Thanks again for an enlightening experience!
Timothy Awujoola, Senior ManagerNew Jersey Association for the Deaf-Blind
I appreciate your dedication to community service and [the] outstanding contributions you have made to the quality of life in your community. You should take pride in your accomplishment.
Bill Bradleyformer New Jersey senator
Paul is extremely capable and thoroughly engaging. His lack of self-pity and his sense of humor are admirable and inspiring. I would listen to him seven days a week; he is a shot in the arm!
Mary Ellen McAlevey, Special ProjectsNew Jersey Coalition on Disabilities & Addictions
Thanks to you, our conference maintained the interest of all in attendance for the entire day! Your afternoon 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.
You received the highest speaker rating of all! And, I was not at all surprised. Your delivery was innovative, informative, artistically pleasing and hilarious! You clearly presented a few of the difficulties and challenges you have faced in your lifetime. Your conscious choice to focus on the positives helped the audience to witness personally your spoken presentation, on behalf of A Vision in Motion.
I wish you continued success in your studies at Rutgers University and your public speaking, community awareness campaign. Again, thank you!
Marilyn D. Kinelski, Coordinator of Special ProjectsPrevention First, Oakhurst, New Jersey
Hello, Paul!
I would like to thank you very much for your presentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at JFK International Airport. I was sitting in the back of the conference room entranced by your every word. As Inspectors, we work very long hours. More often than not, 12 hour days are commonplace. Having been to countless meetings and classes throughout my 28 years with U.S. Customs, many times my eyes became heavy and my ears became weary. I want to let you know that your presentation held every minute of my interest. You spoke eloquently, with sincere interest and heartfelt warmth. It was so motivating and refreshing to see the drive and spirit that you have in life. Many of your accomplishments are much more than most people, even those without physical restraints, accomplish in a lifetime. I was finding it difficult holding back the tears in my eyes.
In my school days, being shy myself, and always being picked on for being chubby, I was always the kid who befriended the less fortunate than I. My heart always went out to the child who was picked on or made fun of. My mom always raised us to help someone who couldn't help themselves, especially since my next door neighbor had polio. Therefore, till today, I always go out of my way to assist someone who is in some way, less fortunate than I, which is what brings me to one of the reasons for this email.
You see, I was the Inspector you spoke to outside of the conference room when your agent asked for directions to the mens room. When I attended the session, I saw it was you giving the speech. When you approached me in the hallway, I did not know that you were exiting from the conference room. In the conference room, there was access to another doorway leading to another hallway leading to the mens room not requiring a swipe card. It may have been a slightly shorter walk, than the mens room I sent you to.
I was so inspired by your speech that I told my lunch partner about you. I also told him how sorry I felt for not realizing that you could have had access from the conference room to a closer mens room that did not require a swipe card exit. To add insult to injury, my lunch partner told me that just recently, the mens room, nearest the conference room, no longer required a swipe card to exit. How would I know that ? The ladies room still requires a swipe card. Guess I should visit the mens room more often. Guess the ladies are more dangerous and need monitoring. Ha Ha.
Anyway, I want to formally apologize for causing you any inconvenience, and I also want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your inspiration. Your outlook on life is refreshing and enlightening. I wish that I could attend more of your programs. They are very mind cleansing and inspirational. I truly admire you for your spirit, your enthusiasm and your accomplishments. I also want to thank you for hosting "the best" seminar I've attended throughout my 28 years with U.S. Customs.
God Bless You!
F.N., InspectorU.S. Customs and Border ProtectionDepartment of Homeland SecurityJohn F. Kennedy International Airport
I just wanted to extend my thanks to you and Paul again for being part of our staff assembly. We received feedback forms from the staff and their responses to Paul's message was extremely positive. I wish you both a happy autumn and continued success in attaining our shared vision--taking the dis out of disability!
Joan Botto, Human Resources ManagerSt. John of God Community ServicesWestville, New Jersey
Your presentation on Overcoming Adversity was wonderful. I received positive comments about your presentation from so many of the participants. You touched each and everyone present today with an uplifting and motivating talk about your life and how each day you strive to become a better person.
You certainly have a lot of wonderful ideas and stories that you shared with us. You made us laugh, get huge smiles on our faces and also tears in our eyes. Your presentation was a big hit and I am very happy that I hired you to speak to our group.
You are a memorable presenter in all of the most positive ways.
Carol Martin Rutgers, DirectorCook College Cooperative Education ProgramRutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Hello Paul,
It's people like you who TRULY keep people like me going. Thanks for your inspirational letter, thanks for your courage, thanks for allowing me to use your letter in my book!
ONE MAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU ARE THAT MAN!
With respect and admiration,
David Hasselhofftelevision and movie actor
You have many talents. Writing is most definitely one of them. Managing to get through and touch untouchable people like Billy Joel, Christopher Reeve, and David Hasselhoff is another. You never cease to amaze me, Paul. I am so proud of what you have accomplished and continue to accomplish. You make people do things they would not normally do (such as getting a police officer to let you drive that totaled car so you can deliver that assembly to third-graders). When other people would quit after such an experience, you kept going!
I wonder where you get your motivation from. I wonder what makes you different from all those people that are full of intentions as opposed to having a history of results. You may not be very tall, but you have a lot more inside and behind you than anyone who stands taller.
With my wife newly pregnant, I can only hope that my child grows up with the charm, determination, and ability that you have (which is also what most people can only dream of). Disabled?! You? I think not!
Jeffrey Tieger, Business DevelopmentJP Morgan Chase
return to Paul Wichansky's bio page
Mission | Speakers | Programs | Events | Scheduling | Links | Contact Us
Perspectives | Testimonials | Vision on Tour
