Benjamin W. Shrader is a self-advocate, activist, public speaker, occasional film critic, and rolling Star Wars encyclopedia. Born with cerebral palsy (CP), Benjamin believes in redefining independence. He wants to help create a world that views the word, not merely as a means to achieve self-sufficiency, but as a way of unlocking one’s best self through a sense of community and shared responsibility. A triplet born at 28 weeks, Benjamin navigates the world with a power wheelchair.

He graduated magna cum laude from Belhaven University with a degree in Theatre (Dramatic Writing) and a minor in Political Science. He puts those skills to use educating children about CP, through educational opportunities made possible in conjunction with his mother. Benjamin also enjoys public speaking and has had opportunities at the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine’s annual meeting, the Delaware LIFE Conference, and more.