#CPChatNow Recap- Cerebral Palsy TV Focus Chat

Posted on October 17, 2016 by zacharyfenell

Many thanks to technology the cerebral palsy community continues growing stronger, a fact evident during our most recent focus chat. I am #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, ready to tell you about Cerebral Palsy TV’s (CPTV) visit to #CPChatNow. Reaching for the Stars (RFTS) Foundation board member and CPTV founder Brad Searle tweeted from the @CerebralPalsyTV handle. An early question helped us learn more about Brad.

Questions flowed in almost continuously, indicating many felt excited. Also curiosity regarding where to find CPTV remained present.

The dialogue soon turned to the content available on CPTV.

Please note Reaching for the Stars just launched CPTV in September 2016. So as time goes on, you can expect new content added. Actually the in-progress content library offered focus chat participants a unique opportunity. The chance to voice what they want to see on Cerebral Palsy TV!

Perhaps you wish to voice your opinion, but you missed the chat. Worry not! The week’s extend-the-conversation question supplies you a second chance. Answer “What would you rather see on Cerebral Palsy TV? Inspiration? Support? True Life? Technology?”

Leave your response in the “Comments” section. Make sure to share any specific content recommendations with CPTV directly.

Get in touch with Brad via the Cerebral Palsy TV Twitter account or the Reaching for the Stars Facebook page. Recommend content and even inquire how you can assist. Follow the example set by members in our community.

All in all the Cerebral Palsy TV focus chat appeared beneficial for everyone who participated. I know Brad deemed the night a success. How do I know? Afterwards he went live on Facebook with these comments.

Personally, I found the night among the top highlights in my near three years co-hosting #CPChatNow. I truly believe CPTV can become a central resource for the cerebral palsy community. Watching ambitious members in our #CPChatNow community offer their help, filled me with great pride. #CPChatNow and CPTV both work to bring the CP community together. Coming together makes us all stronger. Remember to build on said strength by answering the extend-the-conversation question.

“What would you rather see on Cerebral Palsy TV? Inspiration? Support? True life? Technology?”

Respond in the “Comments” section below. For specific content recommendations contact Brad via the Cerebral Palsy TV Twitter page or Reaching for the Stars Facebook page.

Finally, thank you for making #CPChatNow an excellent community. We thrive thanks to you.

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-05-2016

Posted on October 12, 2016 by zacharyfenell

Spirits remained high during #CPChatNow’s live Twitter chat Wednesday, October 5th, coincidentally also World Cerebral Palsy Day. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, prepared to compact all the enthusiasm down into the traditional weekly recap. #CPChatNow landing on World Cerebral Palsy Day set up a festive atmosphere.

Some participants chose to use our chat to live tweet Speechless. Although, they stayed thoughtful. Considering the show airs at later times in other areas, their dialogue avoided spoilers.

Prior to Speechless starting, I sought to stretch the night’s excitement to cover the entire month. First, came our October focus chat announcement.

If you possess questions about CPTV, please join us tonight. Anyone unfamiliar with CPTV should read our detailed announcement post. Repeating what I wrote in the announcement, personally I believe CPTV can become a central resource for the cerebral palsy community. While counting down the minutes to tonight, mark your calendars for the October 2016 Google Hangout.

Google Hangouts allow for face-to-face interaction via video chat. Contact my co-host Blake Henry or I about receiving an invite to the October Hangout. These video chats work similarly to our Twitter chats. Topics arise naturally.

One topic brought up during the Twitter chat October 5th involved writing a memoir.

Visit Lindsay’s blog to see what she plans to title her memoir. Then engage in your own creativity and answer the following for the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “What would you title your cerebral palsy memoir?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

Finally, I wish to take a moment to thank everyone who contributes to our community. You enable #CPChatNow to thrive. As you can see our community makes a difference.

Again, thank you. Keep contributing too! Answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“What would you title your cerebral palsy memoir?”

Respond below!

Tweet you later,

-Zachary

ANNOUNCEMENT: October 2016 Focus Chat Details

Posted on October 5, 2016 by zacharyfenell

Cerebral palsy causes challenges and uncertainties for those with the condition, plus their families. As #CPChatNow co-founder and co-host I, Zachary Fenell, fill with pride whenever someone says our community helped him or her. #CPChatNow remains amongst the growing tools available easing the aforementioned challenges and uncertainties. Another such tool our community will enjoy learning about very soon, Cerebral Palsy Television (CPTV).

Yes! You read that correctly. Now there exists a channel dedicated entirely to cerebral palsy. Reaching for the Stars (RFTS) created the video on demand resource. CPTV became available on Roku in September 2016. The channel will soon expand to Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV too. An exact time frame on those you could ask about yourself! Since I am pleased to announce RFTS board member Brad Searle will join us Wednesday, October 12^th for a focus chat on Cerebral Palsy Television!

Personally, I am psyched Brad will join us. CPTV possesses incredible potential. So many wonderful cerebral palsy resources remain out there. Yet finding them can prove hard. CPTV compiles together many. Suddenly there stands one central stop for cerebral palsy information.

A look around Cerebral Palsy Television leads you to information about equipment, robotics for therapy, and a lot more. I can easily imagine CPTV becoming a parent’s go-to source. Not to mention transform us with cerebral palsy into even better self-advocates!

Wednesday, October 12^th provides a fantastic chance for us in the #CPChatNow community to learn about CPTV. Coinciding we can voice our opinions, expressing what content we want added to Cerebral Palsy Television. What a win-win!

Prepare for October 12^th by checking out CPTV on Roku. Go through the content currently there. Jot down notes on whatever grabs your attention. Then ready your questions for Reaching for the Stars’ Brad Searle. Or if unable to view CPTV, read Brad’s story on the World CP Day website.

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-28-2016

Posted on October 2, 2016 by zacharyfenell

Wednesday, September 28th chat regulars looked to #CPChatNow for a needed escape. I, co-host Zachary Fenell, among them. Allow me to fill you in on the details via this week’s recap.

Greetings set the tone early.

As I noted in the recap’s introduction, I too sought an escape through #CPChatNow. Although rather than a bad day, I desired freedom from fatigue.

My co-host Blake Henry also sounded like he could use a break.

Various topics emerged to distract from the tough days, tiredness, and never ending responsibilities. Naturally around 8:30pm ET conversation turned to the sitcom Speechless.

Only two episodes into Speechless and #CPChatNow community members already connect with the characters! One character in-particular seems to resonate more than the others.

Given news broke Thursday ABC picked up Speechless for a full season, obviously the love affair with the show transcends #CPChatNow. Make arrangements to watch both the show and participate in our chat. Determine the best plan for you, whether that means multi-tasking or recording Speechless to watch later.

Anyone who relates to the sitcom should enjoy the real life connections #CPChatNow offers. We discuss important issues. For instance, September 28th discussion eventually transitioned to pharmacy errors.

Read the article which led to the subject, “Boy given ten times as much medicine prescribed in pharmacy error.” During the dialogue chat regular Hannah Pike pinpointed another pharmacy error to double check against.

Thanks to a fun hypothetical, the chat ended on a creative note.

“These Spastic Chains,” “An Ordinary Fighter,” and “Invested in Love” only begins to showcase the creativity possessed by our #CPChatNow community. Show off your originality by answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question.