Some cheers likely rang out in the #CPChatNow community when flipping the calendar from March to April. Just my speculation as #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell. Pretty ironic though, given March’s designation as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Still I possess reason behind my postulation.

Seemingly every week in March participants joined in seeking to escape from rough and tiring seven days. Same held true for our final March 2017 Twitter chat.

As the above shows, Jen possessed good cause to feel tired. A tornado touched down in her town! Thankfully everyone she knew remained safe. Finding comfort in that fact, the Twitter chat progressed forward.

Both interim co-host Devin Axtman and myself spurred dialogue mentioning posts we found on The Mighty website. Actually his share “Why I Am Studying to Be a Physical Therapist with Cerebral Palsy” inspired my share.

You can read the piece yourself, “The Problem with Those Prom Stories About People with Disabilities.” The idea to change narratives requires addressing how the mainstream media portrays life with a disability. Those in our community pointed out multiple problems with the current status quo portrayal.

Habit to pity, inspirational undertones, and fitting us into a cookie cutter news template only marked a few pet peeves highlighted. Regular Hannah Pike spoke up, hitting upon a quite frustrating topic.

Maybe you agree with Hannah. You too growing irritated watching the media make disability appear a stand alone issue impacting children. Or, perhaps something different peeves you. Let us know! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is your biggest pet peeve of how the mainstream media portrays disability?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

Going back to the 29th, Hannah’s response segued to a conversation discussing aging. Regular Jocelyn playing a pivotal role in transitioning subjects, noting CP’s long-term effects on the body. A real concern despite cerebral palsy’s technical non-progressive status.

Like the above screenshot reveals, I am hoping to organize an aging with cerebral palsy focus chat for May. Make sure you stay tuned for such an announcement, along with our April focus chat announcement. The latter should arrive imminently. Not this week, but probably next week.

Distract from the building anticipation regarding our upcoming focus chats. Remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question.

“What is your biggest pet peeve of how the mainstream media portrays disability?”

Reply in the “Comments” section. Tweet you soon.

Sincerely,

Zachary