Paul E. Berger, Stroke Survivor
and Stephanie Mensh
Paul E. Berger lives with his wife, Stephanie Mensh, and cat in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Paul survived a stroke at the young age of 36. In the years since, he has focused his positive energies on setting goals and following his dreams. He has published three books and speaks regularly.
Paul was born in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a B.A. from Drexel University. He continued his studies earning an M.A. at the New School in New York City, then an M.B.A. at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.
After his stroke, he earned a certificate in Architectural Drafting, started a new career, and worked full time drafting blueprints for building engineering consultants for five years. To show others that you can overcome disabilities to live a full and rewarding life, Paul wrote his book, How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude, drawing from his weekly journal, an exercise he started a few months after his stroke as part of his speech therapy. In 1999, Paul was honored to win the coveted Award for Individual Achievement from the National Council of Communicative Disorders.Paul and Stephanie were both honored by the General Assembly of Virginia.
Paul serves on the boards of various organizations advocating for disabled people. Paul co-chaired Operation Stroke's Community Education Committee, a program jointly sponsored by Inova Health System and the American Heart Association mid-Atlantic affiliate, aimed at raising awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke. He serves on the Editorial Review Board of the
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To learn about Stephanie Mensh, Paul's wife (and caregiver) click here.
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American Stroke Association's magazine, Stroke Connection. Paul served for a number of years on the Executive Board of the National Aphasia Association. He serves on the Consumer Board of the Stroke Comeback Center in Oakton, Virginia. Paul is an active member of the Greater Merrifield Business Association, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Rotary International, Toastmasters International-having achieved Certified Toast Master certification, and three stroke survivor support groups.
Paul also wrote the inspirational books, You Can Do It, 105 Thoughts, Feelings and Solutions to Inspire You (also available in audio format), and How to Conquer Hobbies with One Hand, 50 Tips and Tools to Make Things. Paul has made over 45 presentations, to audiences of all sizes, from small groups to 800 grads and family members during university graduation programs, to consumers, professionals, business and government officials-a remarkable achievement given his continuing struggle with severe aphasia, a stroke-related speech disorder.
Today, Paul manages Positive Power Publishing, is working on new books, and continues to make professional presentations. Positive Power Publishing is dedicated to inspiring people with disabilities to live a full life and showing the world that having a disability doesn't mean giving up. Paul’s compelling story is an example of the can-do attitude and abilities that many people with disabilities offer.
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