Allentown, Pa. (Aug. 12, 2015) Entrepreneur, award-winning blogger and author of the acclaimed “Laughing At My Nightmare,” Shane Burcaw will appear at Cedar Crest College on Sept. 30 to deliver a message of hope and humor to students and community members.

Burcaw’s appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. in the Samuels Theater in the Tompkins College Center.

The 23-year-old Bethlehem native, who uses humor to inspire others and deal with his own struggle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that causes progressive muscle loss, will speak about the importance of a positive attitude and recognizing the need to address disabilities on a personal level, said Cedar Crest Disability and Accessibility Specialist Dolly Singley, M.Ed.

“Shane has overcome a lot in his life caused by his disability. I hope his talk will help not only students with disabilities, but all students, to overcome what they have been dealt in life” said Singley, who works with students dealing with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. “He uses humor, which is very effective with college students, and that will help me break the ice with the students I see who need to acknowledge their own struggles to overcome them.”

Singley said the work of Burcaw, whose book depicts his struggle with the disease and the obstacles he has overcome through humor, is particularly important in helping others overcome the stigma of disabilities. “I think the main issue associated with the stigma is the fear of disclosure,” Singley added. “I think just being able to talk about it, to ask for extra support, is very helpful.”

Burcaw grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Moravian College with an English degree. His uplifting memoir was shortlisted for the ALA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. He also writes as a freelancer for The Morning Call. His blog, (Laughing At My Nightmare) about the humor of living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, has over half a million followers. According to his own online biography, in his free time he enjoys running people over in his wheelchair, hanging out with his brother and friends and traveling.

“I love nothing more than laughing with my audiences. It’s going to be an awesome time,” Burcaw said.

 

Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest College was selected as a “Top Regional College” and “Best Value” in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The liberal arts college is committed to the education of women leaders in an increasingly global society. Founded in 1867, Cedar Crest currently enrolls approximately 1,500 students—full-time, part-time and graduate—in more than 30 fields of study.

Media Contact: Chelsea Roberts croberts@cedarcrest.edu