The power of a pencil
Last week we debuted our new Twist ‘n Write Pencil for kids in Chicago at a trade show called NAEYC (National Association of Educators of Young Children). Basically it was attended by about 20,000 teachers of grades k-6. We had a pretty good idea that the new pencil would be well received at the show but had no idea of the riot it would create. The first part of the show started Wednesday at 5:30 pm. I barely got the booth up in time while Bobby was stuck in that famous O’Hare traffic trying to get to the convention center. When the doors opened to the show it was nice and smooth in the beginning. After about 20 minutes though when the first wave made it to our booth ( we were near the back of the convention center) it started to get out of control. Many teachers had heard about the Twist ‘n Write but never actually tried it or seen it in person. Once word got out that we were at the show we literally had a mob of teachers surrounding the booth wanting to purchase samples. At one point I was standing on my chair with 2 pencils in each hand giving a demonstration to the crowd on how to use the product. People were yelling out orders like “I want a 4-pack” or “I’ll take a case of the 2 packs”. I felt like a trader on the New York Stock Exchange. The pictures above were taken during the slow times to give you an idea of what the booth looks like.
You have to understand that this is the exact group that sees on a regular basis what happens to a child if they can’t hold a pencil properly. It sounds crazy but it turns out that if kids don’t take to holding a pencil in a comfortable manner, the tendency to “want” to write is decreased because the experience is more of a chore. As a result they write less. This is a slippery slope because if they take less notes or cannot turn in legible homework that the teacher can read then they get marked down. Meanwhile the kid could be a genius. One teacher told us that a pencil that motivates kids to write while making it fun is the “holy grail” of educational products, its that important she said. We said “wow”.
After the first full day of the show we completely sold out. We had our warehouse overnight double the amount from what we shipped before but it did not arrive to our hotel until 10:30 am. Well, the show had started at 9 am and Bobby went off to man the booth while I waited for the delivery. Of course the delivery was late for some reason. I started getting calls from Bobby telling me we were gong to have a riot on our hands if I didn’t have them there by 11:30, which is what he had been telling everybody to come back. He even started to take cash deposits on cases of pencils ahead of time. When I finally showed up with a pallet full of product the game was back on. As fast as we opened the boxes we were selling them. our both was a compete mess. We sold out again by the last day. We learned a ton though and made some great contacts in the education channel.
Here are some recent comments from parents and others on how the pencil is impacting kids lives. Who would have thought? We love the comments and hope to get many more. This is the stuff that makes this whole journey that much more rewarding.
COMMENTS
Hello Pen Again. I am an occupational therapist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and I work with outpatients at our therapy center in Palo Alto. I want to thank you for sharing the new Twist n Write pencils with our OT department, and to let you know that our supply of pencils has diminished to only 2 because we have found it to be so helpful for our patients. The pencil has been particularly helpful to children with Down Syndrome, hand or thumb weakness, and those with poor coordination who cringe at the sight of a pencil, but are intrigued by your pencil’s unusual shape. An 18 year old patient of mine who has had brain tumor surgery with residual weakness and hypertonia in his dominant right hand, is now able to write again with that hand because I started him using the Ergo Sof. Now, he is writing a journal entry every day, and drawing cartoons. I have not been able to find your products in the Office Depot stores in Mountain View or Cupertino. We would welcome more pencil or pen products to try with our patients if you can spare them. Are the pencils being supplied to Office Depot or are they only available through the internet? Our parents want to know. Thanks. J. Kitsuwa-Lowe, MA, OTR/L
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Dear Colin, Thank you so very much for the new pencil. My son Ryan was diagnosed with ADHD in October of 2006 when he was 10. Since Ryan was in kindergarten, teachers had constantly complained because he did not hold his pencil correctly and his handwriting was very messy. This has followed him all throughout his school career to date causing him increased self-consciousness because for him writing was very laborious. In my search for knowledge of ADHD I had learned that fine motor control is affected by ADHD. Once we began medication for his ADHD his schoolwork improved but his handwriting did not because so many years of holding his pencil wrong it was second nature for him. You see because the ADHD was affecting his fine motor skills involved with his fingers and holding the pencil he was trying to focus so much on holding the pencil and trying to control his writing that it was taking away from his actual time to write. This was causing him great frustration and anxiety so timed test that involved writing sentences and paragraphs we not being completed. Then one day I was at work and received an Office Depot catalog in the mail. As I was thumbing through it I found your pen advertised in their school supply section of the catalog. The very day I received your pencil Ryan began using it for his summer journal and book report. He was very excited because it was very comfortable for him and as he said “I doesn’t make my hand hurt”. He loves his cool “rocket ship pen” and we do not have to really push him to do his writing because he is finding it less laborious to write. He is more relaxed when he writes now and because he does not have to focus on the position of the pencil in his hand, he is able to have the natural flow and control of the pencil. Thank you so much for this product. I will be singing your praises to everyone I know. T. Lacalamita —————————————————————————- Hi Colin, Thank you for the sample pencils. I think that they are great. I had success with my son using the new pencil and with several other children that I work with (and have tried the pencil with). I find that the pencil allows the children to have a more function grip ( with less stress on the joints - especially children with low muscle tone). When my son used the new pencil (with a good tripod grip) I noted he demonstrated more stability and increased motor control. My older daughter thought that the new pencil was “cool” and liked writing with it. She typically holds her pencils with a very tight grip and her hand tired easily. She had a lighter grip on the new pencil and will probably be able to write for longer periods of time.he too wants to use the “new” pencils when school starts in September.Thanks, again for the sample pencils. Bonnie B, PT, MAPT, DPTOccupational Therapist
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Colin, Just wanted to drop you a quick line to tell you how you have changed our daughter life, see loves using her penagain pencil, she has told everyone that would listen, that she got the very first penagain pencil in Florida. We have recently made an appointment at the Naval Hospital to get Stephaney seen by a renowned Nero Psychologist who deals with Stephaney problems. Everyone we talk to are highly interested in you line of products for other children and adults with hand-eye and writing problems. My wife and I have purchased many of your Penagains to give out to the doctors and nurses that are involved with physical therapy and case management. Everyone that Karen and I have talked to seem highly interested in Penagins and “Twist ‘n Write Penagain”.
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Hello, I Just wanted to say again how much Stephaney loves you Twist ‘n Write and we look forward to finding a place to buy more of them soon. S. Sparrow
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Hi Colin, Thank you. We received the pencils this weekend. My son gave the pink one to my daughter, haha. He was using them over the holiday. He really likes them. I took one of them and sent it to the Children’s Hospital . Nick is a special kid. He has a lot to deal with. He has brittle bone disease, Hypermobility, fibroid myalsia(in the process of being diagnosed) , and deadly allergies. The kid is a walking miracle, at least to me. If it was not for someone like you that takes great ideas and make them happen, kids like Nick wouldn’t be in school. Thanks again.
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Hello, I am a special education teacher at Mason School’s in Oklahoma. I bought one of you pens and love it. I am trying to find a way to purchase some pen’s and pencils for my classroom, but have not been able find them in our surrounding stores. How do I order them? I only have about 20 students. Thanks for the information.
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To whom it may concern: My name is Stacey and I teach first grade in Tucson, Arizona. I was informed of your pencils by one of the special education teachers at my school. I borrowed one from her to use with one of my own students who has great difficulty manipulating a pencil. The change in her penmanship, writing stamina, and overall attitude about writing was nearly instantaneous. Thank you so much! Sincerely, S. Bonds
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Hello Colin, I am the parent of a young man with Down Syndrome and Autism. We have tried for many years to find a writing implement that he can use with his weak grip. We have created many different kind of items using FIMO, but this pen of yours which I saw on-line would be perfect for him. Allowing him to put one finger OVER the pen and stabilize with side fingers, giving him a strong tripod grip is genius. ———————
Hello, i am a mother of a special needs child who is struggling to learn to write properly and struggling with holding his pencil. Your company has come highly recommended from another family and i would like to know if it is possible for me to order a case of these for our home use? i also have a left handed child who this pen has worked wonders for!
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Hello, I am writing in regards to a private Christian school in Wichita Falls, Texas. We have desperately looked all over town for the “twist n write pencils”. They have apparently been a huge success and are completely sold out. We would like to inquire on ordering in bulk and would appreciate some information on this item. Thanking you in advance, S. Hunter ——————- Dear Penagain, Your pencils (Twist’n Write) have given my most severely impaired students an opportunity to practice their writing with more independence than ever before! I need more twist’n Write pencils, though, because they seem to be sold out wherever I look for them! Please help!!!! Thank you so very much
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Hi, My son has a muscle weakness in his hands. He loves your pen. He’s only 9 years old. His teachers have had a problem with his hand grip for 4 years. He’s in 4th grade. I am trying to find the pencils so he can use them in school. His teacher is letting him use the pen for now. How soon can I get some pencils? I’m desperate. He has found something that works for him and we could use them ASAP. Hope you can help —————————-
Hello,
I am a special education teacher and recently purchased some of your twist and write pencils. They are working great with my cognitive and autistic students. Thanks for your help on such a great product!
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Hello, I am an Occupational Therapist working in the school system in Toronto, Canada. I have tried one of your pens and pencils and I think they would be a fabulous addition to my ‘tool kit’. I have many students that would benefit from this product. —————–
Hello, I have been hearing wonderful things about these pens. Only thing is the pencils are hard to find. Is there any way I can get a sample to see if it works for my son?? If it works well with him then I will be ordering a lot of them for school. Its easier to order from your site than to be running around all over town trying to find the. Thank you
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