Conny Wenk News Blog

February 7, 2010 // Philipp & Freunde / Spinal Muscular Atrophy

I had the great pleasure meeting Philipp & Friends again ... this time in the Medifitreha Center in Cologne.

Please meet 5-year-old Joshua, heartbreaker and owner of the coolest wheelchairs. Check out his "Wall-E" plate "Josh-E" - love it! You'll find his other racing car on the last picture with the coolest lights - BTW his awesome Dad build it! Joshua is so darling ... and of course into Lightning McQueen!

His adorable little sister Malin ... playing hard to shoot the first five seconds we met :)

It was great working with the popular comedian Elton for the second time. He's got an amazing attitude, and is wonderful with kids and very unprejudiced. If he would have walked out of the center and would have been interviewed by some journalists what he thought of the wheelchairs, I am sure he would have said "Wheelchairs?? I didn't see any!"

Prof. Dr. Schönau is explaining him how the Galileo (whole-body vibration builds up muscles) works, and he's quite impressed, cause it's not really easy ....

Elton and the kids hit it off immediately. It was such a fun afternoon.

Elton immediately fall for the super cute 2-year-old Emilia ... who knows her way around. She's totally into lipsticks, and tried to convince Elton that it suits him well, too.

Philipp and Elton up for a fun race on the treadmill.

Prof. Dr. Schönau giving Elton the grand tour through his center, of which Queen Rania is the patron.

2 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Simone:

Eine sehr schöne fotografische Dokumentation und ebenso feine Portraits.
I like your pictures so much, you did a great job. Give's me a smile on my face.

(02.07.10 @ 06:26 PM)

Maraika:

Das sind soooo coole Bilder! Die sind richtig schön geworden...aber Du kannst ja auch nur schön...hehe! :o)
Und...ich weiß wo Du vor dem Shoot gewesen bist ;o) Ich hoffe, wir sehen Dich bald mal wieder!

(02.08.10 @ 10:57 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Elton meets Philipp & Friends . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://connywenk.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/211

Dino-Party coming up

February 2, 2010 // My life / Nicolas

I somehow feel I'd be still recovering from the last party .... well, the next b-day party is already coming up ... soon!!!! Last year's topic was "Pirates" .... this year's topic is "Dinosaurs" (for the years to come we still have "Knights", "Red Indians" and "Jungle" ;-).

Hmmmm, ever baked a dinosaur cake? :-) Or any other ideas???? I know there are cool dinosaur balloons ... I better go some dinosaur shopping now, hehe!

EDITED:

Wow, das ging ja super schnell heute - tausend Dank für Eure lieben E-Mails!!!! Und das Allerbeste: Ich habe schon alles bestellt .... so genieße ich jetzt meinen Feierabend, hehe:

- Pinata T-Rex

- Dino-Masken

- Kuchenteller, Becher, Geburtstagstüten, Streudekor, Wimpelketten, Girlanden

- tolle Riesen-Dino-Ballons

- grüne Marzipan-Dinos oder Fondant-Dinos auf Muffins

- Dessert: Kleine Plastik-Dinos im grünen Wackelpudding

- große Dino-Fußabdrücke führen zur Dino-Party

- Pommes mit Dino-Hähnchen-Nuggets (bei Netto und Bofrost)

- Dino-Seifenblasen

- Dino-Gummibärchen

- Tisch-Deko: Kleine Plastik-Dinos und M&Ms als Dino-Eier (YUM!)

8 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Julia:

Hallo liebe Conny, das erinnert mich an Brunos Dinophase, die glatte 3 Jahre lang anhielt.. Mitlerweile "überwunden" und jetzt ist StarWars Topic Number 1! Glaube mir, Dinos sind einfacher (und Ritter und Piraten auch ;) Mit solchen Sachen brauche ich nicht mehr ankommen.. so ist das bei fast 7jährigen! Wünschen euch jedenfalls eine lustige Feier und viele liebe Grüße! Julia (Eddy läuft und rennt jetzt sogar, auch mit dem Sprechen macht er Fortschritte. Und Jurij ist sein bester Kumpel! :)

(02.02.10 @ 02:35 PM)

Jeanny:

supertolle karten :) hat der dinofan wirklich am 19.2. Geburtstag oder feiert Ihr da nur?

(02.02.10 @ 06:55 PM)

Conny:

Julia, na dann freue ich mich jetzt schon auf die zukünftigen Star-Wars-Parties - die Tipps bekomme ich dann von Dir!!!! Miss you guys!!!!!! Vielleicht komme ich jetzt doch bald mal nach Leipzig!!!!!

Dankeeeeeeeeeeeee Jeanny!!!!!!!!!!

(02.02.10 @ 08:12 PM)

Anonymous:

Wow, das wird bestimmt super! Klasse Ideen. Merk ich mir ;-)

(02.03.10 @ 10:24 AM)

Daniela:

Och Conny, dann komme ich am 19.2. einfach vorbei und feier mit....ich hab da nämlich auch Geburtstag, hehe!
Ich wünsche euch ganz viel Spaß und dir gaaaanz wenig Stress.
Puh, bin ja doch froh, dass meine Kids dem Dino-Alter schon entwachsen sind....obwohl, zu einer Prinzessinnen-Party würde Neele auch nicht Nein sagen....gibt es aber mit 19 Jahren definitiv nicht mehr! *gg*
Das ist übrigens eine ganz tolle Einladungskarte.
Bussi von Bremen nach Stuttgart
Daniela

(02.03.10 @ 11:11 AM)

Jeanny:

:) Enjoy. Ich werde dann am 20. mit dem Geburtstagsfeiern weitermachen :) Eventuell aber ohne Dinodeko. Darüber denke ich noch nach :)

(02.03.10 @ 03:00 PM)

H.Schacher:

Na dann bekommt er hoffentlich eins der super Dino Pop up Bücher!!!
LG

(02.04.10 @ 09:36 PM)

Markus:

Hi conny,
nach den Dinos wird "hoffentlich" Star Wars kommen. Da haben wir (M+M) nämlich auch was davon.
Grüsse aus Ladenburg

(02.06.10 @ 05:54 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Dino-Party coming up . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://connywenk.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/210

Tanzdialog PREMIERE

January 30, 2010 // A little extra / Down-Syndrome

Last night was the much anticipated premier of "Tanzdialog" ..... Here's my little report for all of you who missed the show and are yet to fall in love with Laura.

While everybody else has been friggin' nervous over the last weeks with the premier coming up, Laura was the calmest person on earth .... but that suddenly changed 10 minutes before the show started and the theatre hall filled with people.

Here's Laura with her wonderful parents Mona and Rainer .....

Proudly presenting (in really really poor video quality) the ONE AND ONLY Laura Brückmann on stage .... Rainer on the drums - AWESOME!!!!!! My favorite part ... and Peter Grohmann

And then - in the middle of part 1 - it happened: Laura stumbled and fell really bad on her right knee. This had never ever happened before in her many years of ballett dancing, and despite her two hip surgeries. I think when she started crying, everybody in the audience started crying with her and literally felt the pain.

Then, Laura continued dancing while sitting on a chair ... and after a while she "rolled up her sleeves", got up on her feet again and said "what the heck" ... What a moment and huge applause!

Laura at the end of the show, REALLY LIVING THE MOMENT, HER MOMENT!

What a cute idea to connect with the people, after the show they brought in a table with Laura's poster and autographs .... and she signed every single one of them .... She couldn't have been any prouder!

My favorite picture .... love and devotion

13 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Beverly:

she is so lovely. great photos

(01.31.10 @ 03:39 AM)

Cecie:

das ist so wunderschön - ich hab tränen in den augen...!

(01.31.10 @ 09:10 AM)

Anonymous:

Oh Conny!
Wir sitzen mit Taränen in den Augen da, einfach überwältigt, berührt von sooooooo viel Ausstrahlung!
Danke dir f¨r's Einstellen!

Lieben Gruss
Christina

(01.31.10 @ 09:51 AM)

Claudia:

ach, ist das wunderbar. So kann ich auch aus der Ferne teilhaben.

(01.31.10 @ 11:32 AM)

Ulli:

Zum Glück hast Du im Vorfeld für dieses tolle Event Werbung gemacht, sonst wäre uns echt was raugegangen. Bei so viel Ausdruck und Autentizität, da kann sich so mancher Tänzer was davon abschneiden.

(01.31.10 @ 04:15 PM)

Conny:

Ulli, wenn wir das nächste Mal hingehen, steht Deine kleine Ballettmaus auf dieser Bühne!!!!! Freue mich jetzt schon!!!!

(01.31.10 @ 04:21 PM)

Tine:

I don't know if you know this dutch saying, but translated: she dances the stars down from heaven!!!!!!!!!

(02.01.10 @ 12:45 PM)

Tine:

I don't know if you know this dutch saying, but translated: she dances the stars down from heaven!!!!!!!!!

(02.01.10 @ 12:47 PM)

Conny:

Awwwwwwww Tin ....... THANK YOU for this gift!!!!!!!! Love you!!!!!!!

(02.01.10 @ 01:03 PM)

jo:

oh, i wish i could have been there. i would have been there in line getting one of those posters! she is amazing. i posted a little something about you and her on my blog.

(02.02.10 @ 12:45 AM)

lydia:

danke conny, für diese einmaligen fotos. ich habe tränen in den augen ...
sie ist soo wunderschön und sie kann stolz auf sich sein!!
lg aus wien
lydia

(02.02.10 @ 10:26 AM)

lydia:

danke conny, für diese einmaligen fotos. ich habe tränen in den augen ...
sie ist soo wunderschön und sie kann stolz auf sich sein!!
lg aus wien
lydia

(02.03.10 @ 02:27 PM)

christiane daubenberger:

wow! laura ist absolut wundervoll und berührend - trotz des kleinen videos füllte sie mein zimmer mit ihrer ausstrahlung und ihrem können. bin ja öfter in stuggi -muss ich unbedingt mal wissen, wann solch ein event stattfindet - das anzusehen wäre das größte!
liebe grüße

(02.07.10 @ 07:31 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Tanzdialog PREMIERE . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://connywenk.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/209

Dandelion

January 28, 2010 // 2011 Calendar / A little extra / Commercial & Editorial / Down-Syndrome / World Down Syndrome Day 2010

More good news today .... There's a new magazine out there about kids with special needs. It's called "Dandelion" and is published four times a year in the Bay Area, and twice a year in Sacramento.

Beautiful Melissa - one of my favorite models, and I'm sure you remember her - on the Bay Area cover. So very proud of her!!!!!

4 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Sonia Brown:

Connie, I have Dandelion! I was so excited to see you were the cover photographer also! It was my first issue and it had one of my favorite photographer. Great JOB!

(01.30.10 @ 02:16 AM)

Sonia Brown:

Connie, I have Dandelion! I was so excited to see you were the cover photographer also! It was my first issue and it had one of my favorite photographer. Great JOB!

(01.30.10 @ 02:17 AM)

alex:

Connie!! It looks fabulous! Did you get your copy yet?

(02.06.10 @ 07:28 PM)

meriah:

I love that I live in the Bay Area and find out about Dandelion whilst reading your blog! You rock!

(02.07.10 @ 10:33 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Dandelion . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://connywenk.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/208

I'm down with you

January 28, 2010 // Down-Syndrome

I'm back! :) After the whole Christmas craziness I took some time off to reflect on life, and spent lots of quality time with my family and friends, my analog friends! :) What a gift hanging out with my old friends, having great conversations, lots of coffee and cocktails, but also meeting - analog and digital - amazing, and very inspirational new friends.

One of these amazing people I encountered is Jagatjoti Singh Khalsa who happens to live in my favorite city of the world: Portland/Oregon. This August, Jagatjoti's book "I'm down with you" will be published, and I'll be definitely the first one in line to get it! There really can't be enough books on down syndrome, there still is lots to be done on raising down syndrome awareness!

Of course, my first question was "Do you have a relative with down syndrome", and amazingly: he has not! One morning he woke up and decided it was time to be engaged in something unique, uplifting and positive. He wanted to promote something full of hope, love, and compassion. That morning, he started work on "I'm down with you".

Please check out his promotional video, I just love what Julee Bramson says: ".... I believe these kids are the closest to God ... because they are so pure ... their love and their intention are so pure ... " She's so right! I also wanna quote Jagatjoti in his foreword: "... This book was born from a place of admiration. Many people search their whole lives for peace of mind and unconditional love - pouring over self-help books, attending seminars, listening to audiotapes and praying by their bedsides for help. The simple irony is that there already exists, within the Down Syndrome community, a simpler model of emotional contentment and spiritual perfection ..... " Yep, I second that! My daughter has been my most amazing teacher in the last eight years. She teaches me every single day! And I still have so so much to learn .... way to go ... Let's go!

12 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Gabriela:

Es ist genau so, wie ich es erlebte und erlebe. Danke, Conny. Leben im Augenblick! Welche wundervolle Lehrer wir haben dürfen!
Ich verstehe bloss diesen Satz nicht: I'm down with you.
Herzlichen Gruss dir!
Gabriela

(01.28.10 @ 09:52 PM)

Sandra:

Die tollen Fotos kenne ich schon, über Facebook. Jetzt weiß ich auch, wer sie gemacht hat.

Sandra

(01.28.10 @ 09:59 PM)

Sandra:

Achso, noch etwas schön, dass du wieder da bist

(01.28.10 @ 10:08 PM)

Dina:

Danke, Conny, für diese zauberhaften Momente!

(01.28.10 @ 11:40 PM)

LIanna:

I agree. We need more awareness on who are people with Down syndrome! Beautiful!

(01.29.10 @ 12:57 AM)

Maria:

Extrem berührend! Schön.Danke.
Liebe Grüße
Maria

(01.29.10 @ 07:00 AM)

Sabine:

Super schöne Bilder und ein sehr sympathischer Typ. Man sieht, dass er wirklich Freude hat am Fotografieren und seiner neuen Mission. Toll.
Liebe Grüße
aus Düsseldorf
P.S. Ich hoffe du hast alle Flecken rausbekommen ;o)

(01.29.10 @ 09:30 AM)

marianne:

Hallo Conny, ich habe Dich schon vermisst, aber schön, dass Du wieder DA bist.
Das Video ist perfect!!!! Habe Kontakt zu einer werdenden Mami, die bestimmt nicht mehr SOWN sein wird nach diesen Bildern.

(01.29.10 @ 10:46 AM)

marianne:

UPPS!!! Meinte natürlich Down!! Sorry

(01.29.10 @ 10:48 AM)

Kelly:

Thanks for sharing Conny!! I loved everything he had to say, especially the words he wrote under "Journey".

(01.29.10 @ 06:24 PM)

Fee:

einfach nur: WOW

(01.29.10 @ 10:36 PM)

Daniela:

WoW, ich bin schwer beeindruckt!!!
Das geht ganz, ganz tief!
Danke fürs Zeigen, Daniela

(01.30.10 @ 01:53 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: I'm down with you . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://connywenk.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/207