Paul Stuart Wichansky
- Script and Continuity Department
Paul Stuart Wichansky, Ph.D, is a leading motivational speaker who has shared his story with over one million youth, parents, educators, and other professionals nationwide. His presentations inspire confidence, growth, and opportunity with topics such as diversity, anti-bullying, overcoming adversity, disability acceptance, youth empowerment, leadership, and substance abuse prevention. Starting his speaking career at 10 years old, his experiences are a testament to the enduring power of love, perseverance, and resilience.
Paul was born with ataxic cerebral palsy and has a hearing loss.
Though doctors told his parents that their toddler son would never walk, Paul never gave up on his dream. A former special needs child, he has worked hard to transform obstacles into unique opportunities for self-improvement, learning to walk and achieving many other goals. Now leading a confident, productive life, Dr. Paul's experiences reflect a set of fundamental principles on an exciting journey of self-discovery that can also help others face adversity and harness their untapped potential.
In 2006, Paul wrote a heartfelt thank-you note to actor David Hasselhoff, explaining how he was inspired by Knight Rider (1982) and, in particular, its slogan, "One man can make a difference." It is a slogan that helped Paul understand (at an early age) that each of us can be heroes - ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances -- like our favorite television characters did each week. David Hasselhoff responded to Paul's letter, asking him if he can include the full letter -- unedited -- at the end of his official autobiography, "Don't Hassel the Hoff" (St. Martin's Press, New York, New York).
Actor, director, and screenwriter Tom Malloy consulted Paul as the script for Love N' Dancing (2009) was being developed and written. Tom's character in the movie, Jake, is portrayed with a hearing loss and wears hearing aides. Tom asked Paul about his own hearing loss in an attempt to portray Jake's disability as realistic. In the movie, Jake is also a motivational speaker at schools, with a major scene in the movie that occurs during an assembly at a New Jersey middle school. Tom has given Paul credit as a script consultant for this movie and generously invited him to walk the red carpet at its 2009 Los Angeles premiere.
Paul's message is simple: 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.
Paul was born with ataxic cerebral palsy and has a hearing loss.
Though doctors told his parents that their toddler son would never walk, Paul never gave up on his dream. A former special needs child, he has worked hard to transform obstacles into unique opportunities for self-improvement, learning to walk and achieving many other goals. Now leading a confident, productive life, Dr. Paul's experiences reflect a set of fundamental principles on an exciting journey of self-discovery that can also help others face adversity and harness their untapped potential.
In 2006, Paul wrote a heartfelt thank-you note to actor David Hasselhoff, explaining how he was inspired by Knight Rider (1982) and, in particular, its slogan, "One man can make a difference." It is a slogan that helped Paul understand (at an early age) that each of us can be heroes - ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances -- like our favorite television characters did each week. David Hasselhoff responded to Paul's letter, asking him if he can include the full letter -- unedited -- at the end of his official autobiography, "Don't Hassel the Hoff" (St. Martin's Press, New York, New York).
Actor, director, and screenwriter Tom Malloy consulted Paul as the script for Love N' Dancing (2009) was being developed and written. Tom's character in the movie, Jake, is portrayed with a hearing loss and wears hearing aides. Tom asked Paul about his own hearing loss in an attempt to portray Jake's disability as realistic. In the movie, Jake is also a motivational speaker at schools, with a major scene in the movie that occurs during an assembly at a New Jersey middle school. Tom has given Paul credit as a script consultant for this movie and generously invited him to walk the red carpet at its 2009 Los Angeles premiere.
Paul's message is simple: 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.