03/23/2026

Boardman man appointed to Ohio Independent Living Council

Dave Sess

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Boardman resident has a pretty important role on a state council. That’s his newest opportunity to spread the message of living with a developmental disability, and his story is highlighted for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

William Clark lives with cerebral palsy. He’s had 22 surgeries, which have given him the ability to walk. He also has the ability to soar. Clark has gone skydiving. This 32-year-old is a high flyer who’s also modest.

“And there’s nothing special about me. I was just taught a very early age that with the American principle of self-determination, you can achieve whatever you want,” Clark said.

Clark has lived those words by getting two degrees from Youngstown State University. He has written a book that has sold around the world, and most recently, he was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Statewide Independent Living Council. He’s proud to promote what people with disabilities can do.

“Rather, it’s teaching the public that under the diverse definition of disabilities, you can achieve anything, even if it takes you a little bit longer than an able-bodied person would.”

The Boardman High School graduate is a community outreach advocate for the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He goes into schools and shares his story with students. He gets touched when they relate his words to their life, as he heard recently.

“Her exact wording, whereas my brother might not be as healthy as you one day, and it makes me feel good that he could achieve different things that you’ve achieved.”

Clark knows other students also love hearing about his car with a console that resembles the Millennium Falcon. It’s adaptive driving with controls for the foot pedals. Clark dreams of being a clinical mental health counselor. He feels more is needed. He plans to keep writing and keep doing what he’s doing to inspire others.

“I think that most people have whatever it takes to achieve their goal. They just don’t.”

Clark is also a history buff and met the great-grandson of Teddy Roosevelt, his favorite president. He has also raised $700,000 for scholarships.