Robert M. Hensel
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Robert M. Hensel was born with a birth defect known as Spina bifida. A
disability that has not stopped him from achieving success in his life.
Mr. Hensel is a leading figure within the disability community,
advocating for the treatment and rights of all individuals living with
disabilities across the globe. In 2000, realizing the need to focus
more on one's abilities and less on their disabilities, Hensel sought
to have a week designated that would bring to light the many talents
and accomplishments being made by individuals with disabilities. Due to
his efforts, Oswego county passed a motion recognizing Oct. 1-7 as
Beyond Limitations week. In his own words, "I have a Disability yes
that's true, but all that really means is I may have to take a slightly
different path than you". Robert is also 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. Hensel 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 for 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, he 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 his
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.