Sean Stephenson
Encyclopedia
Sean Clinch Stephenson is an American therapist, self-help
author and motivational speaker
. Because he was born with osteogenesis imperfecta
, Stephenson stands just three feet tall, has fragile bones, and must use a wheelchair.
, in 1998 Stephenson met his motivational speaking hero, Tony Robbins
. Robbins became his mentor and encouraged him to change his lifestyle to improve his health. While attending DePaul University
, Stephenson worked as an intern for President Bill Clinton
and for Illinois Congressman Bill Lipinski
. After receiving his bachelors degree in political science in 2001, he published his first book, How You(th) Can Succeed!: Transforming Dreams into Reality for Young Adults, and returned to motivational speaking.
After his speeches, Stephenson found he was often approached by people seeking advice on personal issues. Feeling ill-equipped to advise them, he decided to go back to school and become certified as a therapist. He took courses at Bennett/Stellar University, a private institution specializing in neuro-linguistic programming
and hypnotherapy
, and at American Pacific University (since renamed Kona University). In March 2004, Stephenson began work on a Ph.D in clinical hypnosis at American Pacific. He operates a therapy practice from offices in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
. He also continues to work as a motivational speaker, earning $15,000 to $30,000 per appearance.
His second book, Get Off Your "But": How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself, was published in 2009. It was a self-help book that recounted his own personal story along with the stories of others, and provided exercises for readers to perform while they read. Tony Robbins provided a foreword. That same year, Stephenson was the subject of "Three Foot Giant", a television documentary that aired on The Biography Channel
in November 2009.
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
author and motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
. Because he was born with osteogenesis imperfecta
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic bone disorder. People with OI are born with defective connective tissue, or without the ability to make it, usually because of a deficiency of Type-I collagen...
, Stephenson stands just three feet tall, has fragile bones, and must use a wheelchair.
Early life
When Stephenson was born, doctors quickly recognized the signs of the genetic disorder osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as "brittle bone disease". Most of his bones had been broken during the delivery. He was placed in intensive care at Chicago Children's Hospital, and doctors warned his parents that he might die very soon. He survived, but spent much of his youth in pain and experienced the stunted growth and mobility limitations common for people with osteogenesis imperfecta.Education and career
Stephenson began delivering motivational speeches at the age of 17. With the assistance of the Make-A-Wish FoundationMake-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501 non-profit organization founded in the United States that grants wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions. The charity now operates in forty-seven countries around the world through thirty-six affiliate offices.The president & CEO of this...
, in 1998 Stephenson met his motivational speaking hero, Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins
Anthony "Tony" Robbins is an American self-help author and motivational speaker. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within...
. Robbins became his mentor and encouraged him to change his lifestyle to improve his health. While attending DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
, Stephenson worked as an intern for President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and for Illinois Congressman Bill Lipinski
Bill Lipinski
William Oliver Lipinski , American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2005, representing a district in Chicago....
. After receiving his bachelors degree in political science in 2001, he published his first book, How You(th) Can Succeed!: Transforming Dreams into Reality for Young Adults, and returned to motivational speaking.
After his speeches, Stephenson found he was often approached by people seeking advice on personal issues. Feeling ill-equipped to advise them, he decided to go back to school and become certified as a therapist. He took courses at Bennett/Stellar University, a private institution specializing in neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
and hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis.The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system"....
, and at American Pacific University (since renamed Kona University). In March 2004, Stephenson began work on a Ph.D in clinical hypnosis at American Pacific. He operates a therapy practice from offices in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
Oakbrook Terrace is a city in DuPage County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The population was 2,300 at the 2000 census. A 2003 recount gave the city a population of 2,293. Its current mayor is Tony "Red Panda" Ragucci.-Points of interest:...
. He also continues to work as a motivational speaker, earning $15,000 to $30,000 per appearance.
His second book, Get Off Your "But": How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself, was published in 2009. It was a self-help book that recounted his own personal story along with the stories of others, and provided exercises for readers to perform while they read. Tony Robbins provided a foreword. That same year, Stephenson was the subject of "Three Foot Giant", a television documentary that aired on The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel
The Biography Channel is an American digital cable television channel owned by A&E and based on the television series of the same name. A version of the channel also airs on ONO and Telefónica in Spain and on Sky Digital and cable television in the United Kingdom, a version of the channel also...
in November 2009.
Personal life
As of May 14th, 2011, Sean is engaged to be married to Mindie KnissBooks
- How You(th) Can Succeed!: Transforming Dreams into Reality for Young Adults (2001)
- Get Off Your "But": How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself (2009)
External links
- Sean Stephenson Standing - website for Sean Stephenson Enterprises
- Living at Cause with Sean Stephenson - motivational online video series