Zachary Fenell Discusses Marathon Journey and Disability Advocacy

About the Guest(s): Zachary Fenell is a speaker, marathoner, and author who actively champions disability advocacy. Fenell, known as the "Cerebral Palsy Vigilante," uses multiple platforms to dispel misconceptions and inspire others to see possibilities beyond their circumstances. He has written two notable books: Off Balanced, a memoir about living with cerebral palsy, and Rock Realities, which compiles his interviews with Indie and Alternative Rock musicians. Fenell completed a full marathon despite the challenges posed by his condition, further cementing his role as an inspirational figure within the disability community.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Zachary Fenell, also known as the Cerebral Palsy Vigilante. Zachary, a passionate disability advocate, author, and marathoner, shares his extraordinary journey of training for and completing a full marathon despite having cerebral palsy. They discuss the challenges he faced, his meticulous training regimen, and the broader implications of his achievement for disability rights and perceptions.

Throughout the conversation, Zachary Fenell talks about his motivation, inspired by author John W. Quinn, and how he overcame numerous physical and logistical challenges during his marathon training. He provides insights into the specific accommodations he required, including the use of a cane and special orthotics. Moreover, he touches on the significance of being called an inspiration and the importance of respecting personal limitations while pushing for greater inclusivity. The episode closes with Fenell discussing his future plans, including another marathon, a potential new memoir, and his ongoing contributions to Think Inclusive.

Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_ae97bb4df9b148589f692e754ae280af.pdf

Key Takeaways:

• Motivation and Inspiration: Fenell was inspired by author John W. Quinn and his determination to do something physically challenging, despite his condition.
• Training with Cerebral Palsy: His training regimen included using a cane for balance and special orthotics to compensate for leg length discrepancy, highlighting the need for specific accommodations.
• Marathon Experience: Completing the marathon took 11 hours and 40 minutes, showcasing his grit and the importance of pacing and respecting one's physical limits.
• Inclusion and Accessibility: The Towpath Marathon was accommodating by allowing early starts, emphasizing the need for inclusive practices in events.
• Future Aspirations: Fenell aims to run another marathon and write a new memoir detailing his marathon journey to inspire others to tackle seemingly impossible challenges.

Resources:

Zachary Fenell's memoir Off Balanced https://www.amazon.com/Off-Balanced-Zachary-Fenell-ebook/dp/B006OIT9BC

Website: http://www.zacharyfenell.com/

MCIE: https://mcie.org/

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