Sean Stephenson

Sean Clinch Stephenson (May 5, 1979 – August 28, 2019) was an American therapist, self-help author and motivational speaker.[1] Because he was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, Stephenson stood three feet tall, had fragile bones, and used a wheelchair.[2]

Sean Stephenson
Born(1979-05-05)May 5, 1979
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died (aged 40)
Cause of deathConcussion
Alma materDePaul University
OccupationTherapist, author, motivational speaker
Height3 ft (91 cm)
Spouse(s)Mindie Kniss (m. 2012)
WebsiteSeanStephenson.com

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.[1] 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.[2] With the assistance of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 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.[3] While attending DePaul University, Stephenson worked as an intern for President Bill Clinton and for Illinois Congressman Bill Lipinski.[2] After receiving his bachelor's degree in political science in 2001 from DePaul University, he published his first book, How You(th) Can Succeed!: Transforming Dreams into Reality for Young Adults, and returned to motivational speaking.[4]

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.[5] He took courses at Bennett/Stellar University, a private institution specializing in neuro-linguistic programming and hypnotherapy,[6] and at American Pacific University (since renamed Kona University). In March 2004, Stephenson began work on a Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy degree at American Pacific.[5][7] He operated a therapy practice from offices in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.[5][8] He also continued to work as a motivational speaker, earning $15,000 to $30,000 per appearance.[9]

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.[10] That same year, Stephenson was the subject of Three Foot Giant, a television documentary that aired on The Biography Channel in November 2009.[11]

Personal life and death

Stephenson married Mindie Kniss in 2012. On August 28, 2019, Stephenson suffered a serious concussion which resulted in his death.[12]

Books
  • 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)

References
  1. Stephenson, Sean (2009). Get Off Your "But". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. p. 1.
  2. Gregory, Ted (May 5, 2009). "Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Motivational Speaker Sean Stephenson Uses His Disorder to Inspire Others". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  3. Robbins, Tony. "Foreword" in Stephenson, Sean (2009). Get Off Your "But". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. pp. ix–x.
  4. "Sean Stephenson". Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  5. Stephenson, Sean (2009). Get Off Your "But". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. pp. 24–25.
  6. "About Bennett Stellar". Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  7. At the time Stephenson began his studies, American Pacific was unaccredited. In 2009 it became accredited through the Distance Education and Training Council. ("Accreditation Details: Kona University". The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. United States Department of Education. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2011.)
  8. "About Sean". Sean Stephenson Enterprises. Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  9. Madrzyk, Anna (July 18, 2011). "Oak Brook Therapist Lives Life One Way: Big". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  10. Martinovich, Steven (May 25, 2009). "Just Do It". Enter Stage Right. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  11. "One-Hour Bio Special Three Foot Giant Profiles Sean Stephenson a Remarkable Man Who at 3 Feet Tall Lives a Larger Life Than Most". The Futon Critic. November 2, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  12. Didymus, John Thomas (August 30, 2019). "Sean Stephenson death: Author and therapist dies due to complications after suffering head injury". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
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