Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017, saw a meandering #CPChatNow Twitter chat that moved from CP-like symptoms in dogs, to parenting with CP, to efforts to increase fitness in people with Cerebral Palsy during CP Awareness Month. I am your #CPChatNow Interim-Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be your conductor on this week’s recap.
The evening began on a goofy note as the gang discussed Cerebral Palsy-like symptoms in dogs:
Things turned to a happy note as a #CPChatNow regular, Brooklyn, came back to chat and discuss her children enrolling in jiu jitsu:
The chat turned to a happy announcement as Co-Host, Zachary Fennell, announced that #CPChatNow’s apparel sales raised $170 for the Keep On Keeping On Foundation:
Next, talk turned to fitness and CP. Zach mentioned the #SweatForCP challenge:
Finally, I brought up the 7 Minute Workout App from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Talk turned to how showcasing people with CP demonstrating their fitness routines is becoming more of a priority.
This brings us to this week’s Extend-The-Conversation question: What are ways you have tried to increase your fitness level with CP? Please leave your responses in the comments!
Finally, please don’t forget our Google Hangout next Thursday, March 30th at 8 PM EST!
Wednesday, March 15th, 2017 saw a well-needed #CPChatNow Twitter chat. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to document the chat for the history books. Or, at least recap the evening discussion for our website’s archives.
The evening began on a happy note, with some familiar faces returning following MIA status.
Unfortunately, the joyful vibes hit some turbulence. Like the above screen shot shows Jocelyn’s appearance coincided with a rough week for her. Although Jocelyn proved not the only one.
Many seemed in-midst a tough week. Hence the reason I described the chat earlier as “well-needed.” Possessing a community to confide in remains extremely beneficial.
Now my response asking about a difference between CP related fatigue and everyday fatigue sparked some chatter. Specifically, whether there actually exists a difference.
Looking to expand beyond troubles to solutions, I asked how others cheer themselves up when facing hard times.
Jocelyn’s response in-part segued the conversation to another topic, friendships. More precisely how to maintain strong friendships while the years progress on. So staying friends when living in different states and starting families. You know, those adult life related issues!
#CPChatNow regular Hannah Pike identified making time as an important task. Yasmin meanwhile spoke about trust.
How about we keep the dialogue going? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “When it comes to long-time friends, how have you successfully maintained those relationships?” Reply in the “Comments” section.
Also during the night I announced our March 2017 Google Hangout date.
I hope you will join us Thursday, March 30th for our March 2017 Google Hangout. With no character limits, the video chat always provides an opportunity to delve into deeper conversations. Please contact interim co-host Devin Axtman or myself with any questions about joining.
Additionally remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.
When it comes to long-time friends, how have you successfully maintained those relationships?
This week on #CPChatNow there were a variety of topics talked about as always. The topics ranged from our co-host’s time in Spain on his study abroad trip to the difficulty of finding shoes. This is your interim co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along on this week’s recap. All aboard!
Unfortunately, our other co-host, Zach Fenell, missed his first chat since September of 2014 due to a power outage.
I also shared our regular co-host, Blake’s, blog from his study abroad trip in Spain. The blog is worth checking out for the attempt at the wheelchair ramp alone!
Next we talked about the common misperception people have that disability is something that needs to be fixed. Hannah and Blemi agreed that the person with a disability has a right to decide whether they want to be fixed or not.
Hannah and I talked about ignorant comments others had made towards us including at a concert and when somebody blessed my legs.
Finally, many chimed in with a common problem people with CP face, finding stylish shoes.
This brings us to our extend-the-conversation question: What are some everyday things that are difficult to find because of your CP? Please share your responses in the comments.
Please join us next Wednesday for more #CPChatNow fun!
Benefits computer science can bring the cerebral palsy community remained our focal point Wednesday, March 1st, 2017. Long-time #CPChatNow participant Alena Brand led us in the chat. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, finally here to recap the evening.
First, I apologize for the delay. Between a power outage and spotty Internet connection getting this recap done proved a challenge. In fact the power outage caused me to miss #CPChatNow Wednesday, March 8th for the first time since September 2014. Therefore I am looking forward to my co-host Devin Axtman‘s upcoming recap.
Anyways, enough self-revolving talk from me! Time to highlight our March 1st, 2017 chat. Oh, the many highlights too! Alena sparked great dialogue with her questions. Before diving into those however, Alena shared her credentials to lead our computer science focus chat.
To begin Alena asked us to name computer technology we use to help overcome cerebral palsy. Speech recognition software ended up a re-occurring answer. Specifically Dragon and Siri received mentions.
Devin’s answer stood out against the other responses captured in the above screen shot. Although you may not necessarily think about auto correct as a disability related tool, my co-host made a valid point. Auto correct does enable you to type faster by lessening concerns over errors.
Next Alena inquired about if the non-disabled interpret the CP community’s computer technology based needs well.
Devin responded to the question through a developer’s mindset. Indeed a successful developer understands the needs he or she seeks to meet. Additional dialogue looked at how the question could apply to occupational therapists and other special needs professionals. Sometimes their well-intentions fail to properly meet a person’s needs. Here my advice works well, “Instead of guessing, ask!”
Moving onto question three, Alena asked what improvements we want to see in computer technology which would benefit our daily activities.
As other replies rolled in a desire for self-driving cars emerged a popular one.
Besides self-driving cars, Hannah also hopes to see affordable standing wheelchairs become more commonplace. What about you? Do you possess interest in self-driving cars? Do you want to see improvements with standing wheelchairs? Maybe another computer technology intrigues you. Add your input by answering as the extend-the-conversation question, “What computer technology improvements would you like to see that would help with daily activities?” Reply in the “Comments” section.
Going back to self-driving cars for now though, Shira raised a great point about hacking. An issue Alena echoed while bringing up other safety concerns with self-driving cars.
Continuing with an eye to the future we closed the night discussing computer technology currently in development, but which could benefit the CP community greatly in the future.
If those shoes pique your curiosity, below you can watch the video Devin linked to.
Respond to the extend-the-conversation question in the “Comments” section.
Wrapping up remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question.
“What computer technology improvements would you like to see that would help with daily activities?”
Have a great week everyone!
This brings us to our extend-the-conversation question: What are some everyday things that are difficult to find because of your CP? Please share your responses in the comments.
#CPChatNow 