2021

Posted on November 2, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was “A Happening” as Gorilla Monsoon would say. Members discussed driving, Halloween plans and struggles, and how they would describe the year 2021. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, members discussed what went into the decision on whether to drive or not with a variety of considerations going into member’s decisions.

zach asks what factors went into people's decision to drive or not, veronica tweeted there is a lack of hand eye coordination and everything is set up for right handed people and her right hand doesn't work

blemi tweets she did not feel she would not be able to, zach tweets he has a dull sensation in high right leg from back surgery complications and hand controls make him nervous due to hand-eye coordination and that if his hand-eye coordination isn't good enough to play little league, should he be driving?

Next, members discussed their Halloween plans and concerns they have surrounding accessibility of trick or treating.

zach asks if anyone has halloween plans, carrie tweets she is taking her daughter out to trick or treat and that she hates walking in the dark so she is glad she has a coop behind her and she is praying it is not raining, zach tweets navigating front steps is the trickiest part of trick or treating and many front steps don't have a handrail

Finally, Zach asks members how they would describe the year 2021 at this point.

zach asks what word members would use to describe the year 2021 and what they plan to accomplish still, veronica used the word frustrating with her eye still adjusting to a new lens, zach tweets his theme is patience with two job rejections, a groin strain, and progressing on his book.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question which is inspired by Halloween: What is your favorite Halloween costume of all time?

Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow. Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-20-2021

Posted on October 27, 2021 by zacharyfenell

While temperatures outside begin to drop, conversation during the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow heated up. Or so that remained the case Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

The weather topic arose early in the night.

#CPChatNow participants discuss the challenges cooler temperatures cause individuals with spastic cerebral palsy.

Admittedly, I initiated the dialogue commenting how “it’s that time of year #CPChatNow when my spasticity is starting to increase due to colder temperatures.” Long-time chat regular Blemi responded, calling the week “a stark reminder of that” for her. Adding “It’s not even that cold yet!” Regarding Blemi’s “It’s not even that cold yet” statement, I speculated the actual temperature does not matter as much as how dramatic the decrease in temperature is.

Oppose to spending the night dwelling on the challenges we face due to the cooler weather, we re-focused to concentrate on solutions.

#CPChatNow participants answer "What is one product that helps you get through the winter months?"

A focus starting with me asking participants to name a product which helps them get through the winter months. Blemi showed love for her heated blanket and heated massage pad. I too almost said heating pad. However, after looking over my “Cerebral Palsy Winter Tips” blog post, another answer came to me. My shoes with rigid soles.

Alessandro, on the other hand, offered some humor. Crediting being Italian as what helps him through the winter months. The humorous answers did not stop with Alessandro.

Veronica injects more humor into the #CPChatNow dialogue with her solution to handling the winter months.

Veronica chimed in to say moving to Arizona helped her cope with the winter months. A solution I called “Perfect.” Nevertheless, not everyone has the option to move to Arizona. So, let us keep the solutions coming! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is one product that helps you get through the winter months?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section below.

Afterwards, mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter for #CPChatNow. The fun starts at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What is one product that helps you get through the winter months?" — Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 10/13/2021

Posted on October 19, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed showing off their new walker, disability related books they would recommend, and the reasons they read. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I wanted to give kudos to Blemi for showing off her new pink walker to help promote her Youtube channel. Making mobility aids “cool” is a challenge for disabled people, so any time we can it’s worthy of praise!

zach asks if blemi has had a chance to show off her pink walker, blemi tweeted she did a photo shoot with it with an instagram account that wants to feature her. she said it is a big deal because she used to only take photos from the waist up. zach tweeted it is an incredible feeling when others reach out and they want to partner with you or feature you.

Next, the rest of the chat turned to books and reading. This may have been inspired by Zach finishing the manuscript on his latest book! First, Zach asked members what disability related book they would host for a discussion.

zach asks what disability related book members would choose for a discussion, i tweeted john quinn's or judy huemann's book. huemann's book illustrates disability history and john explains cp so well. zach tweets john's book is one of his favorite books period, blemi tweets sitting pretty by Rebeckah Taussig

Finally, talk turned to the reasons people read. Members shared a variety of reasons. Also, you can find Emily Ladau’s book Blemi references here.

zach asks why members read and offers some reasons such as escape from reality, self-improvement, inspiration. blemi tweets she reads for the pleasure of it. zach tweeted he read for multiple reasons, sometimes escape from reality, others better skills (finance), or disability related material because they open him to other's experiences. blemi tweeted she picked up Emily Ladau's book Demystifying Disability

zach tweets he will eventually get to emily's book, but he has other things on his list. i tweet i mostly escape reality, but i like current event books.

Please share your answers to the Extend-The-Conversation-Question in the comments and join us each Wednesday on Twitter at #CPChatNow at 8 Eastern!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-29-2021

Posted on October 6, 2021 by zacharyfenell

Navigating ups and downs, plus more highlighted the conversation during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 29th, 2021. Here to delve further into the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early in the evening I touted a recent personal triumph.

Zachary recalls a 5k he recently completed.

While finishing far from a personal best time, I felt victorious in completing the 2021 Run Through History 5k. As I shared, due to my groin strain the prior month I went into the race not my best physically. Nevertheless, I persevered through the hilly course. Thinking about the hills, led me to ask a question.

Blemi answers whether she finds moving uphill or downhill more challenging.

Curious, I asked what others find more challenging, moving uphill or downhill? Long-time chat regular Blemi answered with no hesitation, saying downhill. I said the same, noting going downhill momentum builds making controlling yourself harder. Blemi and I soon found ourselves in good company.

Alessandro answers the question, "What do you find harder, moving uphill or downhill?"

Conversation about moving uphill and downhill also leads to discussion about ascending and descending stairs.

Alessandro concurred with my assessment about controlling momentum going downhill, just using more colorful wording. Additionally, Veronica replied with certainty. Calling downhill definitely harder. In response, I pondered if others would agree descending stairs remains more challenging then ascending them. My co-host Devin Axtman confidently replied “Without a doubt.”

As the night progressed, the chatter gradually moved from moving up and down hills and stairs to another subject.

Participants in #CPChatNow discuss the concept of Crip time.

Earlier in the day while reading Disability Visibility I came across the concept Crip time. Curiosity striking again, I asked how many people were familiar with the term. Devin hit on a key element involved, needing to plan on extra time. To offer a more comprehensive definition of Crip time I cited University of Minnesota‘s Crip time definition.

A concept arising from disabled experience that addresses the ways that disabled/chronically ill and neurodivergent people experience time (and space) differently than able-bodyminded folk.
-University of Minnesota

Veronica found herself realizing she uses Crip time without even knowing it! Mentioning in-particular always doubling prep time for recipes. What about you though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you use Crip time?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How do you use Crip time?"

Answer in the “Comments” below! Afterwards set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 9/22/2021

Posted on September 28, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed life events like completing a 5k, their favorite fall activities, and how Australia is handling COVID. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I want to share a cool thing that Zach recently accomplished. He completed his first 5k after experiencing a significant fall. Way to go Zach!

zach tweets he is doing a run through history 5k this weekend and his goal is to not fall during the race. i tweet my encouragement

zach tweets he completed the 5k in one hour, 4 minutes and achieved his goal of not falling on the hilly course. there is a picture of zach standing by the finish line

Casey and Zach tweeted about their favorite ways to deal with pain from cold weather.

casey tweets they have been feeling more discomfort than normal due to cold weather, zach asks what they do to reduce discomfort and tweets he deals with back aches in winter, but he uses a heating pad, casey tweets they use heating pads, medicine, and laying down in the middle of the day.

AcquiDis checked in from Australia with an update on how the government is handling the COVID situation.

AcquiDis tweeted she is coming out of lockdown number 8 in australia, zach asks if a new lockdown starts once cases hit a certain number, AcquiDis tweets instances of COVID are detected in local areas which cause immediate lockdowns

zach tweets that sounds much different than the states, AcquiDis tweets there have been 766 cases with 4 deaths, zach tweeted he didn't know the numbers in northeast ohio, but he is an area of high transmission so his employer is requiring masks for everyone, but he is far from lockdown

Finally, Zach asked members what their favorite fall activities are.

zach asks what members favorite fall activities are, i tweet watching football and eating pumpkin delights, zach tweeted his favorite fall activity is watching Cleveland postseason baseball, but not this year — This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite part of the Fall? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-15-2021

Posted on September 22, 2021 by zacharyfenell

Celebratory and reflective vibes emanated from the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. Allow me, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, tell you more via your weekly recap. Let the celebration begin!

Early on in the evening I offered a reason to celebrate by sharing some good news.

September 15th marked the night before my last day at Beachwood Public Library. Participants congratulated me as I shared I would soon begin as a branch services clerk at the South Euclid Public Library. Along with the congratulations came curiosity.

Zachary details some of the responsibilities his new position entails.

My co-host Devin Axtman asked me about the differences in my new position. All the discussion about my new job led long-time chat regular Blemi to make an observation.

Blemi comments about how far people in the #CPChatNow community have come since the chat first started.

Blemi commented we in the #CPChatNow community have come a long way since the chat’s beginnings. Her comment reminded me that December will mark our eight-year anniversary! Said realization inspired me to ask a question.

Devin answers what advice he would give his pre-CPChatNow self.

Blemi shares what advice she would give her pre-CPChatNow self.

Getting creative, I asked participants what advice or wisdom their 2021 self would give their pre-CPChatNow self. Devin responded “You can’t hurry love.” Meanwhile Blemi replied “Be patient and enjoy what you have instead of always living for the future.”

What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “What wisdom or advice would your 2021 self give your pre-CPChatNow self?”

Leave your reply in the comments! Afterwards set a reminder to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday. The party begins at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What wisdom or advice would your 2021 self give your pre-CPChatNow self?" — Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 9/8/2021

Posted on September 14, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was a fun one! Members discussed outdoor activities, what they want to do to make 2021 a success, and the fact #CPChatNow is turning 8 soon! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, Blemi shared some recent exciting outdoor activities she and her fiancé have been doing lately. First, they recently went kayaking. She tweeted a video about her experience.

blemi tweets her youtube video of kayaking with her fiance, zach tweets that looks like beautiful scenery and asked what blemi finds most challenging about kayaking, blemi tweets the most challenging thing is getting out of the boat and the most enjoyable is getting to enjoy nature from a different viewpoint and she tweets the rapids got pretty high at one point

Also, Blemi tweeted about a new camper that she is buying with her fiancé:

blemi tweets a picture of her new toy, a camper

i tweet that i'm sure they will take the camper out a lot, blemi tweets it is in for a check up and she does not have to camp in a tent and will have a bed and toilet

Zach asks members what they want to do to make the year 2021 a success:

zach tweets the last quarter of the year is approaching. he asks what members would like to complete before the end of the year to consider 2021 successful, chris tweets her degree, but the past month put a wrench in that, blemi tweets she wants to make through the year with mind and body in tact

Zach also asks Blemi why she feels 2021 is more challenging than 2020:

zach asks if the continuation of covid has made 2021 more challenging, blemi tweets her agreement and that people where she lives are being stupid with numbers climbing and she can't hide in the house

Finally, Zach points out that #CPChatNow is about to turn 8 in December:

zach tweets #CPChatNow will be turning 8 in December, i tweet it is in 2nd grade, zach tweets next thing you know, we will be having a graduation party, blemi tweets we're old

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Please share your answers in the comment and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-01-2021

Posted on September 8, 2021 by zacharyfenell

Every Wednesday participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow gather to enjoy comradery and conversation. Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 proved no different. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

In addition to a night filled with engaging discussion, September 1st marked the start of an annual challenge.

#CPChatNow participants discuss the possibility of creating a team for Steptember 2022.

That challenge, Steptember, arose in the discussion September 1st thanks to chat regular Veronica. Steptember challenges individuals to move 10,000 steps a day throughout September. All a way to help fundraise for life-changing scientific advances for the CP community. To learn more, visit steptember.us.

Veronica wondered if anyone planned to participate in Steptember 2021. I quote tweeted her and noted another participant Timmy approached me about starting a #CPChatNow Steptember team. I declined the idea this year because I am still healing from my groin strain. However, next year I say game on!

Needing to put off a #CPChatNow Steptember team until 2022 due to injury could cause “Life isn’t fair” thoughts to form. Another popular topic from our September 1st Twitter chat.

#CPChatNow participants answer the question "How often do you find yourself thinking 'Life isn't fair' and how do you cope with the feeling?"

Inspired by long-time chat regular Blemi‘s Youtube video “Having Sad Days with Cerebral Palsy,” I asked participants “How often do you find yourself thinking ‘Life isn’t fair’ and how do you cope with the feeling?” Blemi and I discovered similarities in our answers. We both had the thought more when younger, but specific frustrations can still trigger sad days. Learning to come to terms with CP has helped a lot to cope with the down days.

What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How often do you find yourself thinking ‘Life isn’t fair’ and how do you cope with the feeling?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Afterwards, mark your calendars to join us at #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "How often do you find yourself thinking 'Life isn't fair' and how do you cope with the feeling?" — Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 8/25/21

Posted on August 31, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was eventful as always. Members discussed falls, reactions to their falls and accessorizing their mobility devices. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, talked turned to a familiar topic for those with Cerebral Palsy, falls. Zach discussed one of his recent falls with Blemi that led to a groin strain:

zach tweets he saw his doctor who confirmed he suffered a groin strain, blemi tweeted we can expect more falls as we age, zach tweeted he is curious about that, he did have a face mask in his back pocket which caused a jerk and his reaction time could be delayed

Next, members discussed the strangest reactions to falls they have experienced:

zach asks about the strangest reaction others have had to a fall, i tweeted about a friend in high school picking me up like a heybale on his farm, zach tweeted about yelling at a friend who did not ask him if he needs help when he went to pick zach up

tonia tweets about a reaction where a chair user reacted to her flipping off a steep sidewalk in Costa Rica and landed in the grass, he asked casually if she was ok

Finally, talk turned to another common topic for those with CP, mobility aids and making them fashionable.

zach asks who has multiple mobility devices so they can make their disability fashionable and match with outfits, i tweet that i have one pair of shoes and a wheelchair, zach tweets his cane is black and black goes with pretty much everything, alessandro tweets he uses a scooter, but he wears jordans or crocs

Blemi and Zach tweet about how it’s hard to find cute devices and they wish there was more availability:

blemi tweets she is trying to find cute devices, zach asks if she would spray paint a device or have rob work on it, she tweets it would be difficult with all of the parts and grooves, zach asks if there is someone who specializes in mobility devices, blemi tweets she wishes there was a site or store dedicated to young adult mobility aids

This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite mobility aid you have ever had? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

Update On Recaps

Posted on August 18, 2021 by zacharyfenell

Wednesday continues to remain a weekly highlight for participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. A fact I, #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, wanted to emphasize because circumstances prevented me from publishing recaps the last two weeks. Circumstances I will detail today.

As our regular readers know, my co-host Devin Axtman and I alternate weeks compiling the weekly recaps. Said schedule left the Wednesday, August 4th recap my responsibility. Unfortunately, on Thursday, August 5th I fell and hurt myself. Aggravating my groin to the point I could not take a step forward. At least, not until two days later. Even then, I needed a walker to make those forward steps.

Nonetheless, I thought I could get the August 4th recap done prior to the August 11th chat. Reality showed me otherwise. I accepted defeat and informed Devin I would instead complete the August 11th recap. However, upon getting ready to compile the night’s highlights, I encountered a problem.

Twitter appears to be experiencing technical difficulties. — Screen shot showing Twitter technical difficulties

To gather recap highlights I scroll back to the beginning of that date’s conversation and then scroll up. Seeking out highlights which feature main subjects discussed, highlight our communal atmosphere, and/or stimulate new ways to think about a topic. In scrolling down to get to the beginning of our August 11th Twitter chat the tweets stopped loading. I attempted to troubleshoot the issue multiple ways. Using a different web browser. Signing out from my account and signing back in. Walking away for a few hours and return hoping Twitter fixed the technical difficulties. Nothing worked.

Due to the above, I could not compile a recap for our August 11th Twitter chat. Again though, I wanted to post this update to emphasize Wednesdays still remain a weekly highlight for those in our community. Hopefully the technical difficulties will resolve and recaps can return next week. In the meantime please consider joining us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.

Until then remember, don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

Online community for those with cerebral palsy!