Don't Be Defined By Your Disability

Kevin Zhu 

Brooklyn, New York

Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

I’m 29 and currently work two jobs—one as a Campaign Manager for Walmart Connect, the largest private employer in the U.S., and another as an usher at Regal Cinemas. Balancing both keeps me busy, but I’ve always believed in working hard and staying committed to my goals.

I grew up in a single-parent household with my mom and sister. My childhood wasn’t easy—we moved 19 different times across Brooklyn and Manhattan while renting, which brought a lot of instability. I was in special education until middle school, where I faced bullying, but I pushed through it and eventually worked my way into honors classes in high school. I even got to take some college courses early, which helped set me up for the future.

I studied Advertising and Public Relations at St. Francis College and graduated with a 3.2 GPA. Thanks to networking, I landed my first job through Tim Cecere, the school’s current president. At the time, he was the head of HR at GroupM, which helped me get my foot in the door in marketing. From there, I gradually moved into campaign management by switching departments, learning new skills, and navigating a few layoffs along the way.

Living with cerebral palsy has presented challenges, but it has never stopped me from pursuing the career and life I want. My message to others is simple: don’t let your disability define or limit you. Embrace it, work with it, and let it strengthen who you are.