Zach Anner will speak about his life with cerebral palsy at an event Oct. 16 at the University Student Commons Theatre.
<br>Photo by Jon Risinger

Comedian and writer Zach Anner to speak at VCU during Disability Awareness Month

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Comedian, actor and writer Zach Anner will speak at VCU on Monday, Oct. 16, as part of the university’s recognition of Disability Awareness Month.

Anner’s talk, “When Life Gives You a Wheelchair, Make Lemonade,” will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the University Student Commons Theatre, 907 Floyd Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Event details can be found on the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunitywebsite.

The Texas-based comedian, who was born with cerebral palsy, gained worldwide attention in 2011 as a contestant on “Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star.” Anner was one of two winners of “Your OWN Show” and later hosted “Rollin’ With Zach” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He is the author of “If at Birth You Don’t Succeed,” a memoir about his life with cerebral palsy. A book signing for VCU students, faculty and staff will take place following the event.

“As a university, VCU celebrates diversity in its many forms,” said Ian B. Kunkes, director of the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity. “For Disability Awareness Month and our, ‘One World, Infinite PossAbilities’ event, we wanted to bring a speaker to campus who could speak to our community about overcoming challenges, hurdles, and stigma to accomplish one’s goals and aspirations in life. While there were many fantastic individuals we could have invited, Zach Anner was at the very top of our list. We knew Zach would connect with our students and staff in a way that few others could.”