These are some of the testimonials from the K-5 motivational programs delivered by Paul Stuart Wichansky.
Your presentation was the best! I learned a lot and feel more comfortable around disabled people. Now I know what it feels like to be disabled. I always thought that they had a horrible life, but now I know that when they think positive, they have a life as good as mine or even better.
Steve, 5th grader
You certainly made quite an impression on my [third-grade] daughter, and for that I thank you. I always thought she was amazing, but I somehow feel that you just inspired her to go miles further.
Susan Kramer, ParentLincoln-Hubbard School in Summit, N.J.
Paul put his audience at ease, had them laughing and asking questions within minutes. Many students shared personal experiences freely with Paul and the class, reinforcing my belief that Paul's approach was both informative and sensitive.
Miriam Peluso, Vice-PrincipalUpper Freehold Regional Elementary School in Allentown, N.J.
Paul wonderfully bridges the gap between classroom discussions of disability/tolerance and real world experiences.
Michelle Rowland, TeacherUpper Freehold Regional Elementary School in Allentown, N.J.
We loved your presentation! It made us smile, and even cry because you touched our hearts! Thanks so much for coming to our school. Someday many of us hope to go skydiving, too! You've inspired us, Paul! You made us think positively and believe in ourselves more. It was really cool to see that you could really do anything if you try. Your artwork is amazing! That Porsche looked like a photograph, and not a painting! You told us to always follow our dreams. I never thought about the fact that every day is a part of that dream called "life." You are our role model because you showed us how you can pursue your thoughts and dreams if you try! Thanks so much!
Mrs. Millard's 5th grade classSeven Bridges Middle School in Chappaqua, N.Y.
Paul really won over his audience. At first, the students were uncomfortable because they didn't know what to expect, but soon he had them smiling and interacting. They truly saw him as an interesting, bright young man who happens to have a disability and not solely as a handicapped person. It was excellent!
Donna Marrows, 3rd Grade TeacherSwimming River Elementary School in Tinton Falls, N.J.
Paul is an excellent presenter! He captivated the students with his first words and kept them intrigued until he was finished. The program helps the students overcome their own "uncomfortability" being around people with disabilities. He also shared positive messages about goal setting, hard work, and utilizing your talents!
I believe that, after a while, the students did not notice or even care that he had a disability.
Dana C. Folk, 3rd Grade TeacherWashington Elementary School in Summit, N.J.
Our fourth graders were spellbound with Paul and his motivating messages. Our students have a new appreciation for, and an understanding of, individuals with disabilities.
Edward Coldren, PrincipalUpper Freehold Regional Elementary School in Allentown, N.J.
Paul's presentation is both entertaining and informative. The students responded to him warmly and with keen attention.
Joseph Jakubowski, Director of Special ServicesAllentown, N.J.
Outstanding motivational presentation! Paul was warm, sensitive to the childrens' questions, informative, inspirational, and displayed a wonderful sense of humor. Children are already comparing him to some of the 'heroic characters' they've read about in literature this year.
Sharon Kitley, TeacherRiver Plaza Elementary School in Red Bank, N.J.
Our audience very quickly became affected by this amazing speaker. They responded appropriately to his sense of humor and appreciated some very simple life lessons he looked to instill upon everyone. Paul challenged us to rip the 'T' out of the word CAN'T. He focused so much attention on the importance of a smile and how contagious your smile and your positive personality can be. He helped the students and the adults to appreciate what it means to live with a disability and that anything is possible with a supportive network of family and friends and an inner determination.
Meeting Paul Wichansky was a very unique opportunity. I wish all of you could have had the same experience; since you weren't able to, let your childrens recollections and reactions be the next best thing!
Michael Donovan, Vice-PrincipalRidgewood Avenue Elementary School in Glen Ridge, N.J.
I believe in what you do, I believe in your message, I believe that when you give yourself, your true inner self, to children, they hear your message. Your audience does not get "talked to", they are invited to "speak with." That makes a lot of difference in whether or not a person truly listens.
Along with your disability, God gave you a gift. You are using it wisely, and I hope that every child in this state has the opportunity to hear your message. I hope the parents do too, because they are the ones who are responsible for shaping attitudes.
Laurie Schorno, Special Education TeacherMorris Plains Borough School in Morris Plains, N.J.
Thank you so much for coming into our school to speak with our students. Although I have known you for many years at Cook College, I have never heard your whole story. I was touched. I was so impressed with the way you spoke to my [third-grade] students and they were hanging onto every word. A few hours after you spoke with us, I had a follow-up discussion with my students.
They understood the messages you were trying to get across to them. For example, they couldn't believe that your father didn't help you up when you were younger. My question to them was: Was picking him up or not picking him up the most helpful? They got it. I think your presentation will help them relate to their peers on a whole new level. They are beginning to notice differences amongst them and your presentation will help them become more accepting and tolerant in the future. Thank you again.
Cathy Rosenberg, TeacherCrim Elementary School in Bridgewater, N.J.
Paul offered the younger students an opportunity to reflect on their thoughts and ideas about people who have disabilities by using stories from his own life. Through his words and actions, he inspired the students to look beyond wheelchairs, crutches or people who might be different. He told them to look instead for what a person can do, not what a person can't.
Thank you for the opportunity to experience such positive role models for today's youth. The motivating messages by the Vision in Motion speakers have had a powerful effect that will be long lasting. Califon School is forever changed by the experience.
Noreen Daniel, Assembly CoordinatorCalifon School in Califon, N.J.
My [third-grade] daughter enjoyed your presentation very much. She still talks about it. That day, I asked her what she got out of it and she said, "That everyone is good at something and we're all good at different things. To always smile, people like it and bullies will leave you alone. That you can do anything if you put your mind to it." All great lessons! Thank you!
That day brought back to me a time when I was a teenager and I applied to be a counselor in the Freehold Township Recreation Department. Because of my experience as a volunteer at the hospital, they asked if I would be interested in being a counselor in a new program for children with disabilities. Without hesitation, I said yes. One of the children in the program was an adorable blond-headed boy named Paul that had cerebral palsy. I'm pretty sure he had a sister, but I cannot remember his last name.
Well, since your visit to Hamilton School, I have visited your site and the "A Vision in Motion" bureau site. You would be the age of that Paul and your hometown is Freehold. I think that it was the summers of 1978-79 that I was involved in the recreation program. Are you that Paul? There is one picture of you as a child that looks just like the kid I remember.
It wouldn't surprise me to find out that, that child grew up to be the inspirational man that you are today! What a small world.
Andrea Posner, Parent
We at Hamilton School would like to offer you our heartfelt thanks for presenting again at our annual Disabilities Awareness Day. The personal touch that you weave into your presentation gives the children an individual's perspective on the fabric of their own lives.
Tamara Lane, RNHamilton Elementary School in Bridgewater, N.J.
Hi Paul! This is Benjamin from Mossyrock Elementary in Washington State. I looked at your website and think it is very cool! Thanks to your assembly, I find myself always smiling now. It was great having you visit our school.
I think it is pretty cool that you have your own website. And that you have done so many things in your life so far. I hope you will have many more adventures! Thank you, Paul, for helping me smile. I think you will also make many other people smile, smile, and smile! Benjamin, 5th GraderMossyrock Elementary School in Mossyrock, Washington State
Benjamin, 5th GraderMossyrock Elementary School in Mossyrock, Washington State
I just wanted to send you some thank-you cards that my students wrote after watching your wonderful presentation. You have touched them on many levels. They are still talking about you three weeks later!
I myself felt a great range of emotions. I felt sad, reflective, happy, joyful, and triumphant while listening to you. I even cried. As a teacher, I can only hope that at least once during the year I successfully touch their lives as you have touched theirs in just one hour. God blessed you and has blessed us with the opportunity to meet you.
The smaller card that encloses the other cards is in need of some special attention. Billy's mom called to say that she has read his thank-you note and it was the first time that he had opened up about something that is bothering him. He has enclosed his address inside the card and they would love a response from you! I know that you are probably busy, but this would be a perfect opportunity to further touch the life of a child in a positive way. He really looks forward to hearing from you.
Mrs. MacKenzie, 5th Grade TeacherFrances Guadineer Middle School in Springfield, N.J.
You gave our students a better understanding of your own disability, presenting vital information on the students' level, interpreted with humor about your condition and adaptation to everyday life experiences. Audience participation gave meaning and interest to your program and encouragement regarding individual differences.
Your manner was enthusiastic and caring, while giving an important message to the children that can be so valuable in their everyday lives. Keep that vision in motion!
Joan Friedman, 3rd Grade TeacherWashington Elementary School in Summit, N.J.
Dear Paul,
I was truly inspired by your presentation at my school. My name is Jennifer and I am 11 years old. I was sitting with my friend expecting something sad. It turned out that your words were so positive and very inspiring. Your stories made me laugh and cry and truly made my heart sing! I am amazed at even though you have a disability, you are able to do so many things and do them better than anyone else.
Your paintings are exquisite. I could even get Picasso to have a painting contest with you and you would win by a million! Ever since I saw your presentation, it has given me a new way of looking at things. When I saw a smile I, in a way, I saw that smile turning into a frown. But you made me realize that when someone is smiling it means they are thinking positive.
In a way, I am jealous of you because you met two of my favorite singers, Billy Joel and Elton John. They really are my idols. I play piano and sing. I love music and it is my life. I could not live without it. When I am down and feeling sad, I just sing. People get annoyed because I do it so much but it really makes me happy. One day I will be on Broadway and be in the best shows and have the best parts, hopefully. I stand in front of my mirror listening to Judy Garland and just sing and dance my heart out. I don't know how to dance but I try. When I sing, I just think of nothing else. Everything around me is just a blur. The only thing in my mind is HIT THAT NOTE.
Your assembly has given a new meaning to the phrase, "don't give up."
Jennifer, 6th grader
Today, I learned a few things from Mr. Wichansky's visit that I would like to share. The first thing is that when you really want to do something, you have to try over and over until you reach your goals. Another thing is people with disabilities can have very special talents. The last thing is just because someone has cerebral palsy does not mean they are abnormal, it just means that there aren't exactly like you.
I hope that in the future Paul continues leading a happy life!
Emily, 3rd grader
Hello, Paul! My name is Lindsey and I am a fourth grader at an New Jersey elementary school. You just recently visited and gave your excellent speech. I loved your videotape that you showed us. I also think that it is cool that you went skydiving and painted those amazingly good pictures. I think that it is refreshing that you have learned to accept your own disability because it then gives you the motivation to overcome it.
Thank you for coming to our school, and I enjoyed hearing about your life story. I hope that your dream of being able to walk very well comes true and there is no doubt in my mind that it won’t. You said that we all have role models and you are mine. But, I also like myself just the way I am, just as you taught us. Thanks again and I hope to see you again soon!
Lindsey, 4th grader
My name is Matthew and you probably don't know me, but I was the only kid who knew you were not teased in school when you asked that question. Your program changed my own view of people with disabilities. I had nothing against them, but I just didn't know that they could skydive and paint magnificent pictures! Your program to our class was excellent, informal, and very interesting.
My father has M.S., or Multiple Sclerosis, but it's only a mild case and he still has problems with his back sometimes. He can still play sports and do activities with me and my brothers! My parents also like Billy Joel. I use these examples to show that you are quite an inspiration to me.
Paul, you are still one of the best people I have ever met in my life.
Matthew, 5th grader
I just wanted to tell you that all of my friends went to your web site! They thought it was phenomenal! My friends think you are a great person because you are. And it doesn't matter if you are disabled. Everyone is still a person.
And you are also a funny person! "I didn't jump out of the plane, I was pushed out." That was hilarious! My friends would always want to see you again but, we don't always need you to help us smile, like you said, you have to do things yourself because you cannot always rely upon others to do things for you.
Samantha, 5th grader
As always, you were fantastic. You are an inspiration to all the children. I'm so proud to know you and to have been part of your life.
Diane Katz, TeacherLafayette Mills Elementary School in Manalapan, N.J.
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