The only real handicaps we have are those we create ourselves. Ripping T out of the word CANT leaves you with CAN. Taking the DIS out of DISABILITY leaves you with ABILITY. Students attending the February 4 SAGE workshop, Access to Success: A Dream, Motivation and Winning Attitude heard these three simple messages. Speaker Paul S. Wichansky shared his messages of inspiration and motivation with Kean students because he understands the importance of encouragement in order to overcome obstacles. Born with cerebral palsy, Paul’s first goal was to walk, and he did just that. He stood before his audience in the University Center and gave everyone a personal invitation into his life experiences. Instead of talking about his disability or the struggles he faced, he focused on his abilities and his list of accomplishments. After learning how to walk, playing on a soccer team, becoming an amazing artist, graduating from high school, earning his Bachelors and Master’s in Meteorology from Rutgers University, currently a Ph.D candidate in Environmental Sciences at Rutgers, going skydiving, scuba diving, meeting Billy Joel and Elton John, speaking at The 2001 Special Olympics and in 2002 for the United Nations, and continues to speak at schools, college, and other programs for teachers, coaches, athletes, and more. The list goes on, but mere words on this man would not do him justice. You could only understand after being witness to the story of the man described as “inspiration personified”. The smiles on the faces of the audience prove that Paul is successful and his energy is contagious. His message is simple, when we allow our imagination and our realistic potential to soar; we can confidently leap over some of the most overwhelming hurdles life throws us. He started the program with a smile that spread through the room like Domino’s, but instead of falling down, everyone was built up. It’s about falling down and getting up, recognizing your abilities and independence. Paul said, “Even though you have a problem, it doesn’t have to have you”, and “When you smile, the world smiles back”. This explains his smile that lasted an hour and a half, and never left his face when he walked out of the door.
The SAGE leadership program is hosted by The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, with funding provided by The Council For Part-Time Students. Don’t miss the next SAGE workshop “Five Key Areas of Growth” at 6 pm on March 4, in the University Center.
