Rob Olszewski, who will receive the Star Award from Lifesteps, stands inside his home Wednesday in West Deer. Olszewski was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 13 months old, but proved doctors wrong by learning how to walk and talk, graduating from high school and college and working full-time with a bus company.

Rob Olszewski, a 36-year-old Knoch graduate, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 13 months old, and doctors gave him little chance of walking or talking during his lifetime.

But Olszewski proved them all wrong and has exceeded all expectations during his lifetime.

For his achievements in life, Olszewski will be honored by Lifesteps Saturday at its fourth annual Star Gala event at The Atrium in Prospect.

“We felt that Rob was a perfect candidate for the Star Award because of how incredible his story is,” said Joan Miller, vice president of community relations for Lifesteps.

“It's incredible how he beat the odds. He walks without any aids, he speaks clearly and he works with a bus company full-time.”

Olszewski is a 1979 graduate of the Lifesteps Early Education Center.

He and his family's hard work helped him prove everyone wrong.

They never quit on him, and that helped him through his painful development.

He learned to walk without any aids and speaks clearly.

Olszewski also succeeded in the classroom. He graduated from Knoch High School in 1993, and he earned an associate degree in computer programming from Butler County Community College in 1996.

Olszewski said that he couldn't believe he won the award.

“My first reaction was when I was walking to a bus at work,” Olszewski said. “I almost dropped my phone on the pavement.”