A Network of Support and a Story to Share
The events of a single day can alter the trajectory of one’s life. In an instant, it can become a life goal simply to survive. So it was for Isaiah Natale, who at the age of four, was in a car accident that left him in a wheelchair with many years of recovery complications, life-threatening infections and mental illness ahead of him. Now a communication major at LCCC and a budding professional motivational speaker, Natale has defied all odds on his way to achieving his goals and taking on the world.
Natale’s path to college was not linear, starting with online courses at Colorado Technical University initially. Without a firm desire to attend school, he took a break to figure out where his path lay, which led him to eventually moving two hours from Northumberland County to Allentown. His parents, wanting him to be able to be financially self-sufficient, inspired him to return to school. He was driven to apply to LCCC due to both the affordability of a community college education and high regard from friends who graduated from the college.
After several changes of major, Natale landed on communication in an effort to improve his public speaking skills for his career path, a choice that was due in large part to the influence of his mentor. Ant, a family friend and a fellow chair-user, encouraged Natale to nurture his desire to share his story of overcoming seemingly impossible adversity. “Him believing in me and taking that risk to help me get started meant so much to me,” he says. “I want to inspire others through motivational speaking.”
Becoming an inspirational speaker sounds simple enough on paper, but Natale soon discovered that before any successful endeavor must come loads of hard work. “I really had to learn how to manage a schedule,” he says. The time spent delivering speeches is only a part of the work—Natale spends the majority of his time writing, editing, proofing and practicing his presentation. Additionally, he coordinates with organizations to book events, manages a website and social media presence and networks with potential event hosts.
As a self-proclaimed anxious individual, Natale manages the stress of building a career as a speaker through his support circle at LCCC. “I reach out to my counselor when I need to,” he says. “I pray. I ask for help. And [my professors have] been accommodating with me getting my schoolwork done.” Others at LCCC, such as Michelle Mitchell, disability support services learning specialist; Stephanie Shiffert, learning specialist; and Mary Black, academic advisor, have all helped Natale reach his potential both in and out of the classroom. “They all really want me to succeed. It’s amazing.”
Success is a continuously building reality for Natale, and it started with his first speaking gig at Moravian Academy. On Oct. 26, 2023, on his 25th birthday, he spoke to a group of students about making and maintaining good relationships and managing anxiety in school. “That was one of the worst events I ever did,” he says, “but when I heard the reactions of the students…I was like, ‘Wow, this actually has the means to be something.’” He has since repeatedly spoken at Good Shepherd, where he met another mentor of his, Michael Spigel, CEO. “Michael and I practice, and then I meet with others to continue practicing.” Public speaking as a career is a never-ending process of improvement for Natale, as well as ever-changing.
Natale spoke alongside Tonisha Taylor, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences and Community Engagement at LCCC, on Wednesday, April 16, in the Community Services Center. He displayed a great deal of vulnerability as he dove deep into the trauma of his past and his path to healing and success. “The message I wanted to convey with this speech [regards] forgiveness,” he says. “If you’re holding in anger, resentment or hatred for somebody, or even yourself, you have to learn to forgive.”
Beyond graduating from LCCC and pursuing a path in public speaking, Natale plans to earn his bachelor’s degree in communication. His experience at LCCC, learning key concepts in his classes and working with a tight-knit circle of support has led him to realize he can achieve anything he sets his mind to. “Utilize your resources,” he says to all students, “because everybody wants to see you succeed here.”
