#CPChatNow Recap- 01-13-2021

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As the years pass, the bonds formed during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow continue to flourish. A fact evident by the chat Wednesday, January 13th, 2021. Evidence I, #CPChatNow co-founder and co-host Zachary Fenell, will present today via your weekly recap. Shall we start chugging along?

#CPChatNow participants reflect on conversations about dating held early in the chat's history.

Conversation between my co-host Devin Axtman and long-time chat regular Blemi caused me to reflect. Leaving me remembering discussions from our chat’s early years when we discussed the dating troubles a disability can cause. Dialogue Devin and Blemi actively engaged in. Now seven years later both remain engaged to their respective significant others! Proof everything comes down to meeting the right person. As Devin stated, “It sounds like a BS cliché but it’s true.”

Another participant who experienced much change and growth since our community started in December 2013, stopped by to update us on his life happenings.

Jorge Oteiza updates #CPChatNow on his life happenings.

Yes! Jorge Oteiza tweeted to update us on his graduate school adventures. An ambitious high school student when our community came into existence, Jorge has come a long way with his studies. Nevertheless, he still remains a young man who possesses a bright future.

Speaking of the future, any discussion in 2021 about the future should involve COVID vaccinations. A subject which arose during our chat January 13th.

#CPChatNow participants discuss availability of COVID vaccines.

Devin raised the topic, mentioning he received his first vaccination shot over the weekend. Others meanwhile lacked a timetable regarding when they would receive their vaccinations.

Elsewhere in the chat, I also asked a pandemic related question.

#CPChatNow participants discuss sports continuing while COVID spreads.

Upon Devin and Blemi starting to discuss hockey season, I asked if they were happy sports are going on or if they feel sports create unnecessary risk of COVID spread. Blemi answered with mixed emotions, noting she does enjoy having the distraction. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Are you happy sports are going on or do you feel that creates unnecessary risk of spread?”

Answer below in the “Comments.” Then mark your calendars to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "Are you happy sports are going on or do you feel that creates unnecessary risk of spread?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 1/06/2021

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This past week in #CPChatNow members discussed being a night owl versus a morning person, getting a smartphone, and their hopes for positive things in the new year. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, there was a discussion on whether members are morning people or night owls. Chris tweeted that she is neither because she needs drugs to stay awake no matter what time:

zach asks members whether they are a morning person or night owl, chris tweets she has idiopathic hypersomnia so she is neither- she just feels permanently exhausted, zach asked if she is used to this, chris tweets she was used to it, but it has been much harder as it has gotten worse

Chris, Zach, and I all talked about being a night owl:

chris tweeted he is a night owl, zach asks if he has always been a night owl and tweets he shifted to being a morning person when working at the library, chris tweets he has not always been a night owl, but he has never been a morning person, zach tweets if he has to be up, getting up is easy, i tweet i am a night owl which makes waking up for the train hard

Next, Zach tweeted about getting a smartphone. Longtime #CPChatNow members will know that Zach has been resistant to getting a smartphone.

zach tweets he is shocking longtime members of #cpchatnow and graduating to a smartphone, he asks about must have apps, i ask him what kind while tweeting a gif of Patrick Star's head exploding
zach tweeted he got a Moto G Power, i tweeted i recommended zach get a nice case, zach tweeted he ordered a case on amazon

Finally, Zach asked about positives that members are looking forward to in 2021.

zach asked about positives they are looking forward to in 2021- tweeting he is looking forward to the release of his next book, stating he is 75% done and hopes to have it complete for editing by mid February
chris tweeted she will be saying goodbye to her gallbladder and she will be finishing her master's degree, zach tweeted wishing her good luck

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your biggest goal for 2021? Please share your answers in the comments and please be sure to join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

extend the conversation question graphic. multicolored #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green above what is your biggest goal for 2021? in black, happy new year in white against a background of fireworks on a night sky, #CPCHATNOW in white text against a green background on the bottom

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-30-2020

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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow gathered one last time for the year. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Join me in saying farewell to the past year, with the final 2020 chat recap.

Recap feels like quite the appropriate word too because in many ways the December 30th chat served as a recap for the year. Chat regular Chris asked others to name the best parts of their 2020, pre-COVID or under our current pandemic situation. Answers covered both periods.

Devin recalls the best part of 2020 for him.
Zachary gives a highlight from his 2020.

My co-host Devin Axtman found a positive within the pandemic, answering he and his fiancée grew closer together during quarantine. Meanwhile my answer to Chris’ question dated back to before the pandemic. In February, I finally released my CP memoir Off Balanced in paperback form!

Devin responded to my tweet with a ringing endorsement, saying “I read it! 10/10 recommend.” If you would like to make your own opinion, checkout Off Balanced for yourself.

Enough shameless plugging from me, though. Let us talk about you. Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What was the best part of your 2020?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

Besides sharing our 2020 highlights, participants discussed how having a disability prepared them to handle 2020’s bizarreness.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how having a disability helped prepared them for 2020.

The subject arose when I asked the group how their disability prepared them for the bizarre year that was 2020. Devin said he was use to staying home. Long-time chat regular Blemi also answered, saying having a disability means we are already use to being told what we can and can’t do. Adding to Blemi’s thought, I stated we are more use to adapting to situations. So, all the changes 2020 brought felt less drastic to us. Or, at least that remains my opinion.

Although 2020 has ended, we can keep the conversation going! First, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question “What was the best part of your 2020?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What was the best part of your 2020?"
Answer in the “Comments” section!

Next, mark your calendar and join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 12/23/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow occurred on Festivus, also known as Christmas Eve Eve. Members discussed their grievances about disability, a recent blog post from Tonia, their dream robotic health companion, and more. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to take a moment to recognize #CPChatNow’s 7th anniversary! Thank you to everyone who has participated with us!

zach tweets he realized it is the chat's seventh anniversary earlier this month. there is an image of two clinking champagne glasses with happy anniversary written above the glasses

To mark Festivus, the annual airing of grievances, members shared their grievances about disability:

zach and i discussed our grievances about disability. i tweeted my primary grievance is the amount of time it takes up with longer commutes, more appointments. zach tweeted his grievance of winter making cerebral palsy more challenging

Next, a great blog post Tonia wrote about the frustration of when accessing basic needs is not basic sparked great conversation. I tweeted about my amazement that Pee Math has an actual name. Pee Math is a concept that disabled people in particular calculate how long they can be out before going to the restroom due to access needs and not always accessible bathrooms.

tonia tweets about her latest blog post, i tweeted about pee math and stated i didn't know it was a thing, but i do it when going out in large places, tonia tweeted she didn't know the name for it, but she does it as well

Zach shared his further thoughts on Tonia’s blog and praised her for being vulnerable.

zach tweets the post is emotional and praised tonia's courage, he agreed there is a difference between being there physically and emotionally, zach stated he grew frustrated nobody asked her how to make the kitchen more accessible and that she was blamed for not doing pt, zach asked if she had time limits for using the restroom, tonia tweeted there were not time limits, but they went between classes or risked missing material

Finally, Zach was inspired by the movie Big Hero 6 to ask what members would prefer in a personal robotic healthcare companion.

zach asked members what they would want a personal healthcare companion to assist with after being inspired by the movie big hero 6. there is an image of baymax in a red and blue suit. i tweeted i want my own personal driver/transportation device, chris tweeted she wanted robotic lungs when first diagnosed with asthma, but she would now like a robotic immune system so she could program so she wouldn't be so sick

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What disability related task do you wish could be automatically performed for you?

the extend-the-conversation graphic: #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green above What disability related task do you wish could be automatically performed for you? in black, a picture of a white hand writing a to do list on top of a calendar, #CPCHATNOW in white text against a green background

Thanks for reading and please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-16-2020

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Judging by the conversation Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, those who participate in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow had various topics on their mind. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

With the holiday season in full gear, the discussion turned to shopping for gifts.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how they are doing their holiday shopping.

The topic emerged when I asked participants how they are going about their holiday shopping, in-person or online. Overwhelmingly the answer proved online. Both Tonia and my co-host Devin Axtman saying they have shopped exclusively online. Erin meanwhile did sneak out one day to pick up an order at Michael’s and drop by Kirkland’s. Besides that though, she has also stuck to online shopping.

Changing focus, I asked participants what ads show up on their #CPChatNow feeds.

Devin and Zachary share what ads they see in their #CPChatNow feeds.

My curiosity about ads sparked as I refreshed my feed. I would see ads alternating between Robitussin and Lay potato chips. On the other hand, Devin replied, noting he was seeing ads for Logitech. Although, apparently not everyone saw ads.

Some #CPChatNow participants report not seeing any ads in their chat feed.

Jen and Erin responded, saying they see no ads. Further conversation revealed they both use apps for participating in our chat. Erin using TweetDeck on her laptop and Jen joining us via the iPhone Twitter app. Based off their input, I theorized they might not see ads because they use apps.

Help prove or disprove my theory! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads?”

Okay, I know! Technically that is two questions. However, let us not get too hung up on said detail. Just answer below in the “Comments” section.

If you feel like getting caught up in some details, focus on this. Our Twitter chat happens each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Mark your calendars to join us!

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads?
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 12/9/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was thriving as always. Members discussed moving into new apartments, ideas for a disabled Disney princess, and their favorite toy growing up. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Seth shared some life news that he had recently moved into a new apartment. Seth also shared a bit about the precautions his aides are taking to avoid spreading COVID.

seth shared that he recently moved into a new apartment after his name came up on a list. seth shared his 2 aides rotate and one brings her kids, but they stay in a room

Next, Zach brought up a Change.org petition that called for Disney to develop a disabled princess:

zach shared a change.org petition calling for disney to create a princess with a disability. he thanked jen for pointing out the petition

Zach bringing up the petition led to a conversation about the types of stories people would like to see Disney tell about a disabled princess:

zach tweets he could see a princess with a disability discovering accessible clothing and learning how to overcome ignorant comments like "You're so pretty. It's a shame you're disabled." I tweeted I liked Zach's second comment and he thanked me.
zach tweets he does not feel remarks are meant to be insulting, instead they come from a place of ignorance, i tweeted that i feel it's the cumulative impact of those remarks that is damaging, zach tweeted he agrees that the cumulative impact of those remarks creates a negative perception which is damaging, paul tweets his agreement and that it is sad

Finally, talk turned to a common topic around the holiday season, member’s favorite toys to play with growing up:

zach asked if people had favorite toys to play with, i tweeted a picture of my stuffed monkey Jibbs

Blemi tweeted quite an interesting story about how she played with dolls as a kid!

blemi tweeted she played baby dolls. zach asked if she played mom or babysitter, blemi tweeted she played a single mother stripper. zach tweeted that is quite the backstory with a gif of bray wyatt saying yowie wowie.

Next, Zach and Paul talked about their favorite stuffed animals as a kid:

paul tweets his favorite stuff animal is a teddy bear. zach asks paul if he takes it everywhere and he tweeted he had a stuffed animal he took everywhere growing up. paul tweets he did take it everywhere and kept it for a long time. he tweeted he wanted to pass it to his kids, but his mother left it. zach tweeted his grandma bought him another stuffed animal when he lost it.

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

extend-the-conversation-question graphic. multicolored #CPChatNow logo in upper right hand corner. Extend-The-Conversation Question in green, what is your favorite gift you have received? in black text. there is a stack of wrapped presents in the middle with #CPCHATNOW in white on a green background.

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-02-2020

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Just like a Christmas ale or brew, the conversation Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow remained inspired by the holidays. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early conversation revolved around how participants spent their Thanksgiving.

Devin tells #CPChatNow about his socially distant Thanksgiving.

My co-host Devin Axtman and his family had a socially distant Thanksgiving gathering. This included his brother and girlfriend sitting at the kid’s table, wiping down highly touched surfaces, and everyone getting their own food. Meanwhile, other chat participants took different precautions.

Jen talks about how she spent her Thanksgiving.

Long-time chat regular Jen mentioned her family also enjoyed a small gathering. However, Jen chose to keep to herself and eat in her room. A decision her family understood and respected.

Continuing the holiday inspired dialogue, Devin asked if anyone has trouble thinking what they want for Christmas. Interestingly enough, that question led to a conversation regarding sleep and weighted blankets.

Timmy talks about weighted blankets.

Responding to Devin’s initial inquiry, Timmy responded he wanted sleep. As the conversation kept going, Timmy revealed he recently started using a weighted blanket. He went as far as to describe the item as “amazing!”

Overtaken by curiosity, I asked Timmy some questions. For example, what triggered him to try a weighted blanket. He answered, saying he noticed he liked being wrapped up tightly in his non-weighted blanket. Overall, our back and forth might help others contemplating whether to try a weighted blanket make a decision.

Nevertheless, let us refocus on the original question Devin posed. In fact, answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?” Comment below to let us know!

Then if possible for you, plan to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter for #CPChatNow. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversations asks, "Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 11/25/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. It was the night before Thanksgiving and things were cooking! Members discussed what they are grateful for in 2020, their favorite holiday movies, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, #CPChatNow member, Mojo, stopped by and shared some insights about being a musician during the pandemic:

zach asks what he is most thankful for. mojo tweets family and quiet time. zach tweets he has gained gratitude for clean water, mojo tweets he can take water for granted and supply chain issues had him trying new recipes, zach asks about the year's impact on a do-it-yourself musician
mojo tweets he envies people with extra time for creation and he has made himself available to help people new to recording at home. he is working full time from home and has less time to create

Next, Zach asked about favorite holiday programming people liked to watch:

zach asks if there is favorite holiday programming people like to watch. zach tweets he enjoys the holiday baking championship, devin tweets he watches the rudolph and charlie brown specials, chris tweets he watches national lampoon's christmas vacation, zach tweets he likes the santa clause

Finally, Zach asked members what they are most grateful for in 2020:

zach asks what members are most grateful for and tweets his answer is toilet paper
chris tweets she is most grateful for people and while she doesn't trust people to do the right thing with covid, but she appreciates human interaction and particularly healthcare workers, zach tweets cleaners and healthcare workers deserve recognition, blemi tweets she is grateful for an understanding and stable job, but she is looking forward to christmas break, zach tweets he is grateful for employment even though his hours are being reduced due to the library going to drive thru and curbside service

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are you most grateful for in 2020?

the extend-the-conversation graphic. extend the conversation question in green with multicolored #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner. What are you most grateful for in 2020? in black above an image of a tan pen with cursive writing of "Today I am grateful for" #CPCHATNOW in white text with a green background

Thank you for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 11-18-2020

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Conversation during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 proved as busy as a cook in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Here to stuff you with the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. First, I apologize for the late recap. I guess I am testing the “better late than never” philosophy.

Anyway, the dialogue’s busyness showed within the various subjects discussed. Long-time chat regular Blemi helped to get the chatter going.

Devin and Blemi discuss adjusting to new glasses.

Blemi shared with us she recently received her new glasses. She and my co-host Devin Axtman discussed the challenges involved with adjusting to new glasses. An adjustment especially challenging to Blemi this time around due to her new glasses being quad focals.

Keeping our sights on the glasses topic, I asked participants a question.

Devin and Zachary discuss attitude towards wearing glasses.

Curious, I asked others if wearing glasses ever made them self-conscious. Devin replied no. He theorized his acceptance for wearing glasses could relate to his best friend also wearing them.

Changing focus, discussion moved onto the holiday season.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how their holiday celebrations will be different in 2020.

In-particular I wondered how our current global pandemic would impact people’s holiday traditions. Devin mentioned he would miss seeing his grandparents during the holiday season and he doubted he would do much in-person shopping. Regarding the latter, Blemi expressed similar sentiments.

Due to the global pandemic Blemi does not plan to partake in Boxing Day sales this year.

Usually Blemi and her mother go Boxing Day shopping. Although, this year they plan to stay home. Reasoning the deals are not worth risking their health.

What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “Are there any holiday traditions you will be missing out on this year due to the pandemic?”

Comment below to answer! To engage in the conversation even further, join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Keep the conversation going! Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "Are there any holiday traditions you will be missing out on this year due to the pandemic?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 11/11/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was lively as always. Members discussed what they are doing to cope with the continued rise of COVID, their favorite holiday traditions, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, members discussed what they have been doing to handle the continued march of COVID. Zach and Tonia discussed their recent effort towards writing their novels.

zach asks if everyone is staying safe and healthy, tonia tweets she is quarantining like a boss, zach asks if #NaNoWriMo is helping by keeping her focused, tonia tweeted that it is and it is summer in her story.

Members next discussed the new normal that has become our reality with COVID. Talk turned to how masks are now seen as an expected thing that people wear. Dave also tweeted that masks have been an accepted part of everyday life in other countries for a long time.

zach tweeted he is doubtful we will ever return to a covid normal, dave tweeted it will be a different normal, zach tweeted he expects face masks to be just another article of clothing and they will be required like pants, blemi tweets this is how it should be, zach tweets indecent exposure will now include nostrils and mouths

Next, Zach asked if members felt they could have multiple best friends. Jen tweeted she felt people could and Zach tweeted he has best friends from different aspects of his life:

zach asks if members feel they can have multiple best friends, jen tweets she feels that you can, zach tweets he has best friends from different aspects of his life like high school and college

Finally, we discussed our favorite holiday traditions.

i asked what members favorite holiday traditions are. i joked mine is asking blemi why canada doesn't have thanksgiving on thursday so they can get a 4 day weekend. blemi tweeted she loves christmas, being with family, and christmas lights. she tweeted it is also her birthday and that should be a holiday. chris tweeted she gets starbucks holiday drinks and cooks something nice for dinner.

Zach shared a tradition that definitely makes me jealous (and hungry!).

zach tweets his favorite tradition is an italian fish dinner on christmas eve, zach tweeted they have a variety of fish dishes: shrimps, smelts, cod balls, spaghetti and clams, and lobster

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite holiday tradition? Please share your answers in the comments!

extend the conversation question graphic. #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green. what is your favorite holiday tradition? below is an image of a calendar with holiday written in red marker and circled on the 25th.

Please make sure to join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

-Devin