Last week ended up being a time to kick off my shoes and rest my feet. Literally. I started wearing a new pair of shoes that caused a pretty nasty blister to surface on the bottom of my left foot. Because I was unaware of the intense pressure being applied to my foot, I went way too long wearing my new kicks, and did not discover the sore until it was too late. As a result, I had to forgo my therapy workouts in order to rest the foot. Thus, my attempts at looking fashionable led to me looking foolish, as I donned big, puffy, blue slippers for the past few days trying to keep pressure off my souls. Even though the blister is proving to be quite stubborn I still plan to resume my exercise regimen this week, albeit slightly modified, and looking a bit less stylish.

Not being as active and having a few more hours of downtime gave me more time to think about things. This past Sunday would have been my 6 year wedding anniversary. I will admit, there were a few times throughout the day I caught myself reflecting on what my life might have looked like had I experienced a different, yet expected outcome that never arrived. Although often not productive, it’s sometimes tough to fight human nature and not ponder what might have been. One of the things I’ve learned over these past few years is to not always try to fight the thought that may decide to randomly pop up, but rather give them a few moments to bounce around inside my brain before kicking them out. Just like other curveballs life can throw us, it’s usually better to confront something and move through it instead of trying to suppress it.

Recently, I’ve been talking with a family whose teenage son broke his neck and was left paralyzed. I finally had the chance to speak with the young man and let him know that I can appreciate and identify with what he’s going through. I really tried to instill the fact that things will get better and there is a lot of power in keeping the proper attitude. After my injury, I always found it more plausible when I was told something by someone who had experienced the same ordeal I was facing. Each individual confronts adversity in his or her own way and you can’t force someone to change their attitude if they don’t want to. But it’s possible they may change their attitude after hearing something you have to say. And so I hope I am able to reach him and offer him a reason to believe.

In fact, I touched on this very point during a radio interview I did last week with A2A Spotlight. If interested, you can listen to it at: Scott Fedor Spotlight interview.

The intent is to do a few more of these in the near future, which would be aired live on local NPR radio stations across the country. The primary goal being to highlight the work I am doing with Getting Back Up to assist others living with a spinal cord injury.

Finally, the 2012 Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Awards were recently announced. A big congratulations to John Kuntz, recipient of third place for best photo essay, A Life Interrupted, his photojournalistic feature of my story which ran in last year’s Plain Dealer.

I know I say it a lot, but I am very grateful for all of your continued prayers and support. I wouldn’t be where I am without them!

Stand Strong!

Scott

Last November, it was announced that, Ridley Scott, an Academy Award-winning producer/director (Black Hawk down, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise) was producing a feature-length film about Bruce Springsteen.

Described as a documentary project on Bruce Springsteen made by the people and for the people, an “open audition” was held for fans worldwide to make their own film about Bruce and what he means to them. Producers were looking for fans’ most personal insights, abstractions and reflections on how Bruce Springsteen and his music has affected their lives.

As you can imagine, I thought I had a pretty interesting story to tell and decided to put a little video together with the help of my friend, Justin Linton. The casting call ran from November 15 to November 29, 2012, with the deadline ultimately being pushed back until February 1, 2013 due to the large amount of entries.

Below is the video I submitted that was recorded in November 2012. I hope you enjoy it.

The release date for the movie is July 22, 2013.

At this time, I have not received any notification that any of my story will be included, so I am not expecting to see myself on the big screen. However, Springsteen has had a profound impact on my life and I am looking forward to seeing the film and gaining an even deeper appreciation for the effect his music has had on others.

Stand Strong!

Scott

My grandmother, affectionately known to us all as, Nani, peacefully passed away this past Saturday afternoon. She was laid to rest Wednesday morning. Fortunately, her husband and all of her children had the opportunity to say goodbye and comfort her as she slipped away from us and into the loving and the waiting arms of God.

I also had the opportunity, via cell phone and Skype, to say goodbye and let her know how much I loved her and that it was okay for her to leave us. Unfortunately, she had suffered from dementia these past several years, so there’s no way of knowing how cognizant she was of her surroundings in her final days. However, we all take great comfort in knowing she did not suffer and looked healthy up until her final breaths.

She and my grandfather, Popop, had been married almost 72 years, longer than most people might live. They certainly embodied the meaning of marriage, and it was always entertaining and very sweet to watch how she and Popop would often pick on each other. I will never forget the way that my grandfather would reach out and grab her sometimes as she walked by and pull her into his easy chair. He would then squeeze her, kiss her and often embarrass her and she tried her best to pretend she didn’t love it! My sister and I would always laugh and find their banter so amusing and full of genuine, true love.

I will also always remember how much she loved singing, particularly church hymns. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon at all for her to just start singing, whether in large gatherings or more intimate settings. She had a stellar reputation among the South Philly residents and was often requested by others, even strangers, to sing at their events.

One of the benefits to attending Lehigh University was that I had the opportunity to spend most of my Thanksgiving and Easters in Philadelphia with my grandparents. Nani had started to show signs of slowing down a few years ago, and I made it a point to never tell her about my accident and its resulting outcome. I’m pretty sure she closed her eyes for the last time remembering me as the strong, able-bodied and mischievous grandson she always knew me as.

Please continue to keep my family, especially Popop, in your thoughts and prayers. An extra Hail Mary for Nani would be greatly appreciated by all those who love and miss her.

I love you, Nani! You will be missed, never forgotten, always mentioned and loved eternally!

Below is the Obituary that was published in Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on May 20, 2013:

MATHILDE (Scola) SONCINI
MATHILDE (nee Scola), on May 18, 2013, age 96. Devoted wife of Louis for over 71 years. Beloved mother of Marilou (Peter) Buffum, Roberta (Felix) Fedor and William (Helene), loving grandmother of David, Rebecca, Scott, Lindsey, Bill, and Alexis, great grandmother of Cora, Layla, Wylie and Dominic. Predeceased by her siblings Theresa, Helen, Sue, Mollie, Ralph, Guido, Gilda and Dominic. A talented vocalist who would burst into song with little encouragement, she often sang at weddings and funerals at both St. Rita’s Church and Stella Maris Church. A devoted Catholic, her faith was the cornerstone of her life but caring for her family and her children was her prime vocation. She will always be loved and dearly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Viewing Wednesday 9 to 10 A.M. at Stella Maris Church, 2901 S. 10th St. Funeral Mass will follow viewing at 10 A.M. Int. Holy Cross Cem. In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made in her memory to St. Monica Manor Nursing Home, 2905 S. 4th St., Phila. PA 19148.

Where does the time go? I realize it’s been two weeks since my last update. The good news is I’m doing great. The bad news is, like everyone else, I have lost another two weeks of my life. So it kind of got me thinking, do people really make the most of their lives every single day? I could recite different quotes, bumper stickers and slogans (see above) about living every day as if it were your last. However, do people really listen?

Just as I’m sure others are guilty, I too am guilty of sometimes rushing through the day, eager to accomplish everything, whilst often accomplishing nothing… At least nothing of true substance. I will admit, since my accident, I have made somewhat of a conscious effort to truly appreciate each day and the gifts in my life. But I have realized the hard way that there is no such thing as “over appreciation.” It’s a lesson I wish I did not have to learn the way I did, but the bigger tragedy would be to forget to remember it.

At the risk of sounding too preachy and somewhat hypocritical, why not try to make it a point to truly appreciate every single day in your life for what it is, a gift from God that comes with no guarantee you’ll receive another one. At least try to focus on the concept for a few minutes a day. Maybe while making coffee, picking out the shirt you’ll choose to wear or brushing your teeth – a few deep breaths, a smile of gratitude and a true appreciation for the day you have been given can only help you as you prepare to rush through yet another one. And if you’re really brave, repeat this exercise numerous times throughout the day.

As regards to me, I have been keeping myself busy over the past few weeks. I enjoyed a wonderful day speaking to several students, parents and friends in Toledo a week and half ago. It was especially nice, albeit bittersweet of course, to catch up with some old friends. I’ve also been continuing to work out hard at Buckeye Wellness Center, trying several new exercises specifically aimed at increasing bone density. Each session has left me feeling sore, rewarded and eager for more. Not to mention, there has been plenty of sunshine to help refuel the soul. I’ve been enjoying as much of it as I can, as well as Melanie!

I wanted to share 2 recent interviews I did, one of which was with a Uruguayan magazine:

Article below just ran in “Dividend”, University of Michigan’s business school magazine:
Dividend Magazine

This one is with a Uruguayan periodical (translation is a little rough, but you’ll get the gist):
Vivir Triunfando

Saturday will be the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes. My Trifecta SWAP (Scott’s Wild-@ss Pick) is:

Orb
Itsmyluckyday
Oxbow

Finally, please keep my grandmother in your prayers, as she may be in her final days. Another reminder to be thankful for each and every day that greets you.

Stand Strong!

Scott

The event is part of the “Positive Direction” program whose aim is to demonstrate the necessity of setting goals and making positive choices to achieve these goals.

The event is intended for members of the school, however, family and friends of mine are welcome to attend.

Stand Strong!

Scott

 
This Saturday marks the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, otherwise affectionately referred to as, “The Run for the Roses.” Even before I attended my first Kentucky Derby in 2007, I was always a fan of the race, getting caught up in the excitement leading up to the first Saturday in May. However, it’s more than a race, it’s an event, and something I have always thought others should try to witness at least once in their life if given the opportunity. The last Derby I attended was May 2, 2009, two months before an accident that left me paralyzed. Every race I’ve watched since my injury has been somewhat bittersweet, with me feeling fortunate to be alive, but wishing I could still be walking the grounds at Churchill Downs.

As I have been gearing up for this weekend’s festivities, reminiscing about the fond memories I have, it struck me how in a way, Derby Day is somewhat analogous to life, and I think a few parallels can be drawn between the two. When it comes to Derby Day, it’s all about the anticipation and the events leading up to the race itself. It’s truly an epitome of the reminder that life is a journey, not a destination. After all, the actual race represents less than 1% of the entire day at the track. But it’s the other 99% of the day that I always hearken back to when thinking about the Derby, not the actual two-minute race.

First of all, there is a tremendous amount of detail and meticulous planning that goes into choosing the outfit you will wear on race day. This is somewhat akin to the choices one makes in life, such as where to go to school, whom to marry, whether to start a family, etc. that sets the tone for an individual’s future direction. While the fate of picking out the perfect hat, tie or pair of socks may not be as significant as making a more crucial decision like choosing the right retirement funds to invest in, one cannot underestimate its relative importance. The right outfit just further helps enhance the entire day and should not be taken lightly!

Next, there is the incredible and arduous task of predicting the winner and wagering on the right horse. Kind of like all the preparation and care that someone puts into going about his or her life, you can study the daily racing form until you’re blue in the face. And even though you may have the best of intentions in making the safe, educated and well-researched bet, at the end of the day sometimes a little luck is still needed. And every now and then it just might be worth throwing caution to the wind and letting it ride!

And then of course, there is the raw, unfettered and unpredictable range of emotions that accompany the day. A day at the races certainly runs the gamut of emotions that are impossible to escape throughout one’s life. There are incredible highs and extremely deflating lows. I vividly remember the exhilaration I felt in 2009 watching Mine That Bird come from dead last to win, claiming the longest margin of victory in over 60 years, and becoming the longest-odds horse to win the Derby in 85 years. The jubilation I felt was further punctuated by the fact that I had placed a bet on the horse to win!

But the amazing high I experienced watching Mine That Bird make history was matched by the incredible low I felt the previous year witnessing the mighty filly, Eight Belles, fracture her ankles at the finish, and subsequently resulting in her being euthanized right there on the track – the first fatality in Kentucky Derby history. I have personally witnessed the highest of highs and the lowest of lows at the Kentucky Derby. Similarly, life filled me the same highs and lows as I joyfully celebrated my second wedding anniversary with the love of my life, only to break my neck three weeks later. Inevitably, we will all experience ups and downs throughout our lives, sometimes leaving us searching for answers, while at other times reveling in our good fortune, whether planned or serendipitous. However, it’s important to continually thank God for our blessings along the way.

Finally, no Kentucky Derby would be complete without the traditional mint julep. Even though the drink is comprised mostly of straight bourbon, its taste is rarely associated with the bitterness bourbon possesses. To the contrary, the classic cocktail is heralded for its sweetness, which is very pleasing to the palate due to the sprig of mint and sugar muddled amongst it. The perfect reminder that, just like a mint julep, life is so much sweeter when the right ingredients are added to it. To this I say, choose your ingredients wisely!

And so it is with great pleasure that I leave you with my 2013 Kentucky Derby picks. The candle has been burning at both ends this week as I’ve poured over thousands and thousands of daily racing forms and other documents to correctly predict this year’s winning horse. Yeah right. Actually, I arrived at my picks relatively early in the week and while I admit I still have a bit more research I will be doing, I will go on record with the following Superfecta I plan to box:

Verrazano
Goldencents
Itsmyluckyday
Orb

I’ll also be placing some action on Oxbow and Mylute solely due to the Jockey stories associated with them. Looking forward to the race and a safe trip around the track for all.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support! It is greatly appreciated!

Stand Strong!

Scott

This past Tuesday I was paid a visit by Rev. William Murphy, the President of St. Ignatius High School. I had been contacted a week earlier and asked if I would be available for a visit this week. Naturally, it was an easy decision to make, and I was thrilled to have the chance to personally meet with Father Murphy and thank him for all of the support that he and the entire St. Ignatius community have continued to show me. However, I will admit that I suspected there was more to the meeting than just a visit to say hello.

My suspicions were confirmed when Father Murphy arrived and was accompanied by the principal, Dan Bradesca, and, Tim Grady, a former student who graduated the year after me. I can safely assure you that I am not in trouble and still in good standing within the Iggy community! To the contrary, Father Murphy informed me that he serves on the Board of Directors for the Ohio chapter of Boys Hope Girls Hope, a national organization which provides at risk children with stable homes, education, and financial and emotional support. The organization annually recognizes leaders in the community who embody BHGH’s mission and values. As it turns out, I had been nominated and ultimately selected to receive the “Rising Pillar of Hope” Award. It is given annually to an individual who steadfastly sees possibility and hope despite the obstacles, and is meaningfully dedicated to service “for others” in Northeast Ohio and/or their workplace.

Needless to say, I am extremely humbled and grateful to have been chosen to receive such an honor and look forward to accepting the award in October. In the meantime, I am especially excited to join Tim, the Executive Director, in the near future and spend an afternoon out at the facility with several of the young individuals involved in the program. It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to be associated with an organization like Boys Hope Girls Hope!

Last Saturday evening was spent at a LEAP fund raising event in Beachwood. I’ve had the privilege of serving on LEAP’s Board of Directors for the past two years and am very invested in the work they do to serve the disability community in Northeast Ohio. This Saturday evening I’m headed to the Breen Center for the Performing Arts to see the St. Ignatius student spring musical, The Wizard of Oz.

Finally, I will be speaking at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma tonight at 7 PM. I’ll also be speaking at St. Joseph’s school in Sylvania (suburb of Toledo) on Tuesday, May 7th.

As always, I am very grateful for everyone’s continued prayers and support!

Stand Strong!

Scott

Throughout last week I was fortunate to be able to take in several films at the 37th Cleveland International Film Festival. Every feature I saw this year was a documentary, each presenting its take on a unique and fascinating subject. Saturday evening was highlighted by the film entitled, “Little World,” which is about 20-year-old, Albert Casals, who routinely travels around the world. He makes his journey to faraway and exotic locales by car, train, plane and boat. The catch… He does it with practically no money, solely relying on the generosity of complete strangers.

Relentlessly upbeat, Albert’s insistence on living the life he dreams of has lead him on a globetrotting whirlwind adventure covering five years of his life. The documentary chronicled his journey from his home in Spain to the very spot that is farthest from his home: a lighthouse in New Zealand. It was a testimony to witness this young man’s resilience and happiness as he traveled 30,000 km in 200 days with only €20. And oh yeah, did I mention he’s confined to a wheelchair?! As one reviewer said, “You don’t have to witness the incredible list of locations and travails to gauge the meaning of his journey. You can read it on his face: The joy of life.”

Although it was not as audacious as Albert’s achievement, I achieved another milestone in therapy last Thursday when I was able to sit by myself for over a minute without assistance. It may not seem like a lot of time, but “inch by inch, minute by minute…”

As previously mentioned, I will be speaking at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma on Thursday, April 25th. Please see details below if interested in attending (RSVP required).

Finally, my thoughts and prayers are with the individuals affected by yesterday’s terrible events at the Boston Marathon. I had just come in from sitting outside and was getting ready to post this blog update when I learned of the horrific news. I have many close friends in the Boston area, as well as many friends who are serious runners, and cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to experience an event like this firsthand. Please continue to keep those individuals and families affected in your prayers as well.

Unfortunately, it can often seem like our world is filled with so much hate and violence. Every time one turns on the news, there is usually some story of tragic proportions to open each newscast. However, there is still more good than evil in this world, there are still more stories of human triumph, generosity and love than stories like yesterday’s news. There are still more reasons to keep the faith, stand strong and push on than reasons to give up and despair. Life is not always easy or fair, and a lot of times it doesn’t make sense. But life is still capable of surprising us in a good way, offering hope and filling our lives with wonderful gifts. It’s especially during times like these when we need to remember this.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Stand Strong!

Scott

About three weeks ago we had decided to throw a surprise birthday party for my mother who would be turning 65 on April 3rd. We settled on this past Saturday as the date for the shindig, a few days after her actual birthday. Thus, it seemed like something she would not be expecting. As it turned out, she ended up heading to Philadelphia to visit with her mother last week, which gave her the chance to spend her actual birthday with some family that she doesn’t get to see too often. She got back into town late in the week and all she kept talking about was how much she was looking forward to staying home over the weekend so she could catch up on everything she had to do. Fat chance!

Saturday rolled around, and it took some convincing, but after quite a bit of effort, I was able to persuade my mother to let Lindsey, dad and I take her out to dinner for a small, belated celebration. Rather than throw a surprise party in a cramped restaurant, I rented the clubhouse of my apartment complex. The place was very spacious, equipped with couches, fireplace and a TV to ensure Final Four basketball viewing. Plus, everyone would be able to socialize and be as loud as we wanted to without having to worry about bothering other patrons. If you’ve never been to a Fedor party, they can get quite boisterous and sometimes unpredictable, another reason that a private room seemed like a good idea.

Lindsey swung by the house to pick mom up and on the way over to my place, told her that she needed to stop off at the apartment’s main office to sign something for me. I guess she kept asking Lindsey why my dad couldn’t sign for me! Needless to say, they pulled up to the clubhouse and my mom got out and walked in to a room of her closest friends all gathered together to celebrate with her. Any doubts that we might’ve had on whether or not she knew about the party in advance were certainly answered.

Upon seeing everyone yelling, “Surprise,” she froze in her tracks. She then immediately started to cry, and not just a few tears, but a deluge of tears fell from her eyes and she flashed one of the most sincere and appreciative smiles I’ve ever seen in my life! It truly warmed my heart and the hearts of several others, and she turned out to not be the only one crying. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of a party in their honor. I am extremely grateful for everyone who was able to share this special evening with her! Then it was time to party…

Sunday’s weather of sun and 71° was the perfect way to cap off a fun weekend. It didn’t take much time for me to quickly turn my face sun-kissed red. I should’ve known better, but I finally broke down and checked the weeklong weather forecast. Currently, they’re calling for rain all week long until Saturday, when it will finally be sunny again… and 41°. I’ll worry about that on Saturday, as am hoping to take in several films this week downtown at the film festival.

As always, thank you for all of your continued prayers and support! And thank you to everyone for your help in making Saturday evening a beautiful memory for my beautiful mother!

Stand Strong!

Scott

The first picture below was of my mom’s reaction upon seeing everyone. The second picture is a group shot of some of the relatives.

Not really, but today is April Fools’ Day. I suppose that I could exercise some liberties and make up some really crazy or exciting event that recently happened to me, but that might not be appropriate. Instead, it’s actually more appropriate for me to throw water on the ladies I like and then beat them with pussy willow branches…honestly! That’s because it’s also Dyngus Day, the Polish St. Patrick’s Day of celebration and cutting loose. It’s okay, though, because tomorrow is traditionally recognized as the day the women partake in the revelry and get to return the favor to the boys they fancy. I’m sure it probably sounds quite odd, but being part Polish myself, it sounds about right and doesn’t strike me as the least bit strange.

So happy April Fools’ Day, Dyngus Day, Monday, or however you choose to recognize today.

Yesterday was a wonderful day spent with family and friends celebrating Easter. Another day I found myself surrounded by loved ones and blessed enough to share in the gifts God has bestowed upon me. I might not yet be able to throw my arms around everyone’s neck and hug them like I wish I could, but I feel so fortunate to be able to have time like this. I constantly make the conscientious focus to appreciate moments like these and not take them for granted, something I never used to be good at. I’m still nowhere near perfect when it comes to doing this, but I keep improving.

At one point during the day, I was visiting with Melanie when she got a hold of an Easter basket. She grabbed a plastic egg, opened it up and immediately threw it down when she realized that it was filled with money. She actually seemed a bit perturbed, knowing darn well that she can’t really do much with pennies, nickels and dimes. Before we could get the basket from her, she quickly grabbed another egg and in one swift motion opened it, squealed with delight seeing that it was filled with jelly beans, stuffed as many in her mouth as she could, filled her tiny little fists with the rest and darted back into her cage, out of reach from the rest of us. Jackpot! She then proceeded to munch on Jelly Bellies and suck down water for the next 20 minutes. I’m convinced she was laughing at us as we tried to coax her into giving us the candy. Lesson learned.

I was actually able to enjoy some time outside over the past few days as the weather was sunny and in the low 50s. Still needed the hooded sweatshirt, but enjoyed the fresh sunshine – the perfect soul food.

The 37th Cleveland International Film Festival kicks off this week. There are over 180 features and more than 165 shorts this year, so I’m pretty sure I’ll find a few that pique my interest. If anyone finds themselves down there as well and would like to catch up, don’t hesitate to contact me. I get pretty good seating…ha!

My sincerest thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and support!

Stand Strong!

Scott