Born: May 8th 1969

Place of birth: Rota, Spain

Hometown: Oswego, New York

Robert M. Hensel was born with a birth defect know as Spina bifida. A disability that has not stopped him from achieving success in his life. Robert serves as an advocate for the disabled, an on going effort to better the rights of all Americans with disabilities. He is an International Poet-Writer with well over 900 publications published World wide. In 2000 Robert was nominated as one of the best Poets of the 20th Cen. Just most recently, he was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, an award giving to Outstanding Poets & Writers.

Robert is also a Guinness & Ripley’s world record holder for the longest non stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles. The reason his record was to help raise money for wheelchair ramps throughout his Community. Roberts Journey doesn’t stop there by any means. In Oct 2006, Robert was asked to carry the torch for the 2006 Asian Games. It is said that he was the only one chosen out of Thousands of other Celebrities throughout the United States to carry out such an honor. Much of Mr. Hensel’s accomplishments have recently found a permanent home within the walls of The Museum of Disability History, for others to appreciate and learn from. The Museum of Disability History is the only one of it’s kind, displaying the Artifacts and accomplishments connected to some of histories most notable disabled figures of our time, such as Helen Keller and many others. The Museum is located in Buffalo, New York.

AWARDS & HONORS:

• Creator of Funds 4 Spina bifida.
• Creator of My Spina bifida Crusade.
• Founder of Beyond Limtations Week.
• Spokesperson for Athletes For Hope.
• Nominated as one of the best poets of the 20th Cen.
• Inducted into The Museum of DisAbility History, located in Buffalo, New York.
• Nominated for the Push Cart prize for Poetry.
• Editors Choice Award in 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2007.
• New York State Assembly Excelsior Award for Excellence.
• New York Senate Certificate of Merit.
• State of New York Executive Chamber Certificate of Commendation.
• Guinness World Record Holder.
• Ripleys World Record Holder.
• Invitation To carry the Torch for the 2006 Asian Games.
• Nominated as International Professional Of The Year For 2007. “By The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.
• Included in The Dictionary of International Biography. “Published through the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England”.
• Nominated for the 21st Century Award for Achievement. Through International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.
• Included in The International Dictionary Of Experts and Expertise. Published by The American Biographical Institute.
• Included in the book Outstanding People of the 21st Century.”Published by The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.
• Nominated for the 2007 Man of Achievement Award. Through the American Biographical Institute.
• Nominated for the Distinguished Service to Humankind Award 2007. Through The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.
• 2008 Go Fast Sports & Beverage Athlete.
• Nominated to be included in 2000 Intellectuals of the 21st Century, published through The International Biographical Centre located in Cambridge, England.
• Nominated for Top 100 Educators of 2009, by The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.
• Nominated for the International Plato Award for Educational Achievement By The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge,England.
• Asked to speak at Arkansas State University in 2009.
• Ambassador for The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation.

Roberts experiences…Living with Spina Bifida in his own words…

I grew up with a birth defect known as Spina Bifida, a disability that affects my sense of balance, causing me to walk with a limp. Not only does it affect the function of the legs, but it also has an impact on the kidneys, causing them to deteriorate.

The disability has had its ups and downs.

As a young child, I can remember the way other children would look at me and stare because of the way that I walked. There were many times that my schoolmates would laugh at me and call me names simply because of their lack of understanding of why I was a little different, especially back in the mid 70s and early 80s. Children then were just unwilling to take the time to learn why one of their classmates might walk, speak or seem noticeably different from themselves.

Now that I am an adult, I have noticed that the stares and names have begun to fade, and judgments that once were negative have begun to turn toward acceptance.

The signing of the ADA has played a great part in breaking down some of those barriers that, as a child, left me to fight a war that seemed to have no end. Now I look beyond what I can’t do and focus on what I CAN.

I have learned that limitations open doors that have been closed, showing other ways to meet our needs. I have always looked at life as a challenge, grasping each obstacle with open arms. There is nothing in this world that comes easy. I must stand tall and look forward, to be ever so ready for what still lies ahead.

People often feel sorry for those who were born with some type of disability. But their compassion is misplaced. Yes, I may not be able to run as fast or perform certain tasks, but my disability gives me a better look at life and all that’s around me.

I want to be seen not as a disability but as a person who has, and will continue to, bloom. So I decided to become an advocate on behalf of disabled Americans, to fight for our rights that for so long have been ignored.

I feel that it only takes one powerful voice to change the minds of many nations, and as long as I have a mouth to use and a mind to think I will continue to work to bring peace upon the disabled community.