Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
2015_ovr_annual_report
2015_ovr_annual_report
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Shane Burcaw’s Success Story<br />
Shane Burcaw’s Success Shines a Spotlight on the Potential <strong>of</strong> Individuals with Disabilities<br />
Shane Burcaw is an author, entrepreneur, award-winning blogger, Emmy-winning producer and inspirational speaker<br />
from Bethlehem, PA who happens to have spinal muscular atrophy. A graduate <strong>of</strong> Moravian College with a degree<br />
in English, Shane is the author <strong>of</strong> the bestselling memoir, laughing at my nightmare, which was shortlisted for the<br />
ALA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Shane is also the founder and President <strong>of</strong> the nonpr<strong>of</strong>it 501(c)(3) organization,<br />
Laughing At My Nightmare, Inc., whose mission is to spread a message <strong>of</strong> positivity while providing equipment grants<br />
to those living with muscular dystrophy. Shane also maintains a blog which has over 500,000 followers and writes<br />
freelance for The Morning Call.<br />
As a public relations specialist, Shane participates in speaking engagements, promotional activities and book signings.<br />
An integral part <strong>of</strong> Shane’s job is traveling to speaking engagements across the county. In addition to receiving VR<br />
counseling services from OVR, OVR assisted Shane with obtaining a modified floor and fold-out ramp for his accessible<br />
van. These services enabled Shane to fulfill over 45 speaking engagements in 2015, including engagements at venues<br />
such as Boston University, the University <strong>of</strong> Connecticut and the Children’s Hospital <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia.<br />
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