Sean Stephenson facts for kids

Sean Clinch Stephenson (born May 5, 1979 – died August 28, 2019) was an American therapist, author, and motivational speaker. He was born with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as "brittle bone disease." Because of this, Sean was three feet tall, had very fragile bones, and used a wheelchair. Despite his challenges, he inspired many people around the world.

Sean's Early Life

Sean Stephenson was born with a rare genetic condition called osteogenesis imperfecta. This condition is often called "brittle bone disease" because it makes bones very fragile. When Sean was born, doctors quickly saw the signs of this condition. Many of his bones had already broken during his birth.

He was placed in intensive care at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Doctors told his parents that he might not live long. However, Sean survived. He spent much of his childhood dealing with pain. He also experienced limited growth and difficulty moving around, which are common for people with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Education and Inspiring Career

Sean Stephenson started giving motivational speeches when he was just 17 years old. In 1998, with help from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sean met his hero, the famous motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Robbins became Sean's mentor. He encouraged Sean to make changes in his life to improve his health.

While studying at DePaul University, Sean worked as an intern. He interned for President Bill Clinton and for Illinois Congressman Bill Lipinski. In 2001, he earned his bachelor's degree in political science from DePaul University. After graduating, he published his first book. It was called How You(th) Can Succeed!: Transforming Dreams into Reality for Young Adults. He then returned to giving motivational speeches.

Becoming a Therapist

After his speeches, Sean often found people asking him for advice on their personal problems. He felt he needed more training to help them properly. So, he decided to go back to school to become a certified therapist. He took courses at Bennett/Stellar University, which specializes in neuro-linguistic programming and hypnotherapy. He also studied at American Pacific University.

In March 2004, Sean began working on a special degree. It was a doctor of clinical hypnotherapy degree from American Pacific. He opened his own therapy practice in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Sean also continued his work as a motivational speaker. He earned a lot of money for each appearance, inspiring many people.

Published Works and Documentaries

Sean's second book, Get Off Your "But": How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself, came out in 2009. This book was a self-help guide. It shared his own life story and the stories of others. The book also included exercises for readers to do as they read. Tony Robbins, Sean's mentor, wrote the introduction for this book.

In the same year, Sean Stephenson was featured in a television documentary. It was called Three Foot Giant. The documentary aired on The Biography Channel in November 2009. It told the story of his amazing life.

Sean's Personal Life and Legacy

Sean Stephenson married Mindie Kniss in 2012. He continued to live a life dedicated to helping others. On August 28, 2019, Sean passed away after a serious concussion. His last words were, "This didn't happen to me, but through me." This showed his positive outlook, even in difficult times. Sean's life story continues to inspire people to overcome challenges and live fully.

Books by Sean Stephenson

• 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)