Cerebral Palsy Grows Up: The Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 7: Jae Kim Oct 25, 2024

Jae Kim is a social worker from Washington State. She has cerebral palsy, and believes deeply in disability justice and disability rights. She also uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device in order to answer questions.

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup

Credits
Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producers: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 6: Charlie Graffius Oct 18, 2024

Charlie is a masters student in the Motor Learning and Motor Control program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He received a B.S. in Exercise Science from Colby-Sawyer College. During his undergraduate experience, Charlie was a member of the Men’s Tennis team and the Exercise Science research team. This research consisted of comparing muscular activation patterns with various strength training modalities. Before joining the lab at TC, Charlie worked as a personal trainer for clients with neurological conditions in Brunswick, Maine. After being born with Cerebral Palsy himself, Charlie has used an evidence based approach to manage and improve his own symptoms. His current research interests include improving movement function and decreasing spasticity for patients with Cerebral Palsy. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and playing sports.

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Follow Charlie: @charlie.graffius
Charlie's podcast: The Movement Fluidity Podcast

Credits
Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producers: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 5: Dr. Mark Peterson and Dr. Jen Ryan Oct 11, 2024

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Email Dr. Peterson: mdpeterz@med.umich.edu
Email Dr. Ryan: jenniferryan@rcsi.ie

Credits

Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producer: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 4: Zach Anner Oct 04, 2024

Zach Anner is an award-winning comedian, author, and disability advocate known for his infectious humor, quick wit, and positive outlook on life. His unique blend of comedy and candid discussions about disability has earned him a dedicated following and helped challenge societal perceptions of disability.

Zach gained national recognition in 2010 when he appeared on the reality show Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star. With his hilarious audition video that quickly went viral, he captivated audiences and eventually won a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) called Rollin' with Zach, where he traveled across the United States, showcasing his adventures from a wheelchair user's perspective.

In addition to his work on television, Zach is a prolific content creator. He has a popular YouTube channel where he shares comedy sketches, travelogues, and inspirational videos, many of which humorously and honestly explore his experiences as a person with a disability. His comedic web series, Have a Little Faith, featured interviews with people from different religious and spiritual backgrounds.

Zach's talents extend beyond the screen. In 2016, he published his memoir If at Birth You Don’t Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny, a critically acclaimed and hilarious account of his life, filled with humorous anecdotes and reflections on overcoming challenges.

An outspoken advocate for disability rights, Zach uses his platform to promote accessibility, inclusion, and the importance of humor in addressing life's obstacles. His work has earned him a devoted fan base and numerous accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award for his contributions to online media.

Today, Zach Anner continues to inspire and entertain audiences with his sharp comedic style and advocacy, demonstrating that a sense of humor can break barriers and foster greater understanding and acceptance for people with disabilities.

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Alexa Orban on Instagram @lexi_orban
Zach Anner on Instagram @zach.anner

Credits

Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producer: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 3: Rachel Byrne Sep 27, 2024

Rachel Byrne is an internationally recognized nonprofit executive, therapist and published researcher. She has been instrumental in changing the future of cerebral palsy research and implementation science leading to improved outcomes across the lifespan. Rachel has a background in physical therapy, with a particular interest in neuroplasticity and motor learning leading to her early career as a clinician delivering physical therapy services in schools, hospitals and private practice. She has been the executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation for over 5 years.

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Alexa Orban on Instagram @lexi_orban

Credits

Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producer: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 2: Dr. Ted Conway Sep 13, 2024

In the episode of our show, we hear from Dr. Ted Conway — well-respected biomedical engineer and professor with cerebral palsy. As an accomplished academic researcher, he received advanced graduate degrees in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his Ph.D, he became a Summer Federal Employee for the Department of the Navy at the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Newport, RI and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC.

In this episode of Cerebral Palsy Grows Up: The Podcast he joins our host, Alexa Orban, to talk about aging with cerebral palsy, life before the Americans with Disabilities Act, and his incredible contributions to the field of biomechanics. For anyone with CP looking for wisdom from our elders, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Alexa Orban on Instagram @lexi_orban

Credits

Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producer: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci

Episode 1: Robyn Lambird Sep 05, 2024

In our first episode, we sit down with Robyn Lambird, Australian Paralympian and trailblazing advocate for disability rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Robyn made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics as the first non-binary athlete to win a medal, securing bronze in the 100m T34 race. But their journey goes far beyond the track.

The Paralympics highlight not only the incredible achievements of elite athletes but also the importance of physical activity for everyone, including those with cerebral palsy or other disabilities. Robyn shares how elite sports and everyday recreation are interconnected, emphasizing that engaging in physical activity, at any level, fosters confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of one’s body. Whether competing on the world stage or simply finding joy in movement, athletes with disabilities, like Robyn, inspire us to explore our limits and prioritize health and wellness.

In this debut episode, Robyn discusses the valuable lessons learned through sport about fitness, mental wellness, and mobility that apply to both elite athletes and those engaging in recreational activities. Tune in to discover how sports and recreation build resilience, improve quality of life, and foster inclusivity in all aspects of society.

Robyn on Instagram: @robynlambird

Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf

CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup

Alexa Orban on Instagram @lexi_orban

Credits

Host: Alexa Orban

Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian

Executive Producer: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne

Graphics: Briana Raucci