Monthly Archives: October 2017

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-11-2017

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Celebratory vibes pulsed through the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, October 11th, 2017. I am co-host Zachary Fenell and I am here to recap the congratulatory messages and laughter. Admittedly the night failed to start on an uplifting note. Participants remained emotionally drained from difficult weeks. They hoped others possessed better moods. A hope I could fulfill.

Zachary Fenell takes #CPChatNow into an uplifting mood with news he successfully completed the Towpath Marathon the previous Sunday (October 8th 2017)

Finishing the Towpath Marathon’s entire 26.2-mile course the previous Sunday (October 8th, 2017) left me entering the chat still maintaining positive momentum. The congratulations given by the #CPChatNow community continued the cheerful feedback I received since October 8th. Many people knew my story heading into the marathon due to a news article published in Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow participants for their thoughts on The Plain Dealer article covering his unreasonable marathon journey.After jokingly hassling me for my self-centered focus, Susanne Kate Brasset gave her approval on the piece. Susanne specifically liked my point calling normal a myth. Take a read yourself and form your own opinion, “A Man, His Cane, and 26.2 ‘Unreasonable’ Miles to Prove His Own Doubts Wrong.”

Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman expressed interest in the details relating to my near 12-hour walk.

Devin asks Zachary if he took any breaks during the marathon and what he ate throughout the day.Particularly Devin wondered what I ate and if I took any breaks. Enough marathon talk nonetheless! We discussed other subjects too! In fact I announced our October focus chat guest. One #CPChatNow co-founder and original co-host Handicap This! piped up to call a “great get.”

Dr. Karen Pape receives praise from original #CPChatNow co-founder Handicap This!Current co-host Jorge Oteiza played a vital role in scheduling the Dr. Karen Pape focus chat. Dr. Pape possesses an incredible reputation as a groundbreaking and innovating clinical neuroscientist. We excitedly welcome her to #CPChatNow.

While groundbreaking and innovating work in the medical field stands important, do not forget the basics. The cliche “laughter is the best medicine” comes to mind. Laughter’s value emerged a hot topic Wednesday, October 11th.

The #CPChatNow community discusses the merits of laughter.Like Susanne states, laughter emits much positive energy. Perhaps you rely on a certain joke to get you laughing amidst rough times. Tell us that joke by answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

Answer this week's extend-the-conversation question, "What is your go-to joke you tell yourself when you need to laugh?"“What is your go-to joke you tell yourself when you need to laugh?” 

Share by commenting below. I’m ready to begin laughing hysterically.

Until next time #CPChatNow!

-Zachary

 

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#CPChatNow Recap- 10-4-2017

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This past week was an exciting week in #CPChatNow as Zach welcomed a nephew, #CPChatNow welcomed new members, and members discussed using a cane and stretching.  This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along on this week’s recap.

However, in a bit of Breaking News outside of the chat, our #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell, finished his marathon on Sunday.  Kudos to Zach for following a dream and having the courage to see it through!

Zach announcing he finished his marathon in 11 hours, 40 minutes, and 31 seconds

Also, congratulations are in order to Zach as he welcomed a nephew last week:

Zach announcing he welcomed a nephew this week with Ryan offering congratulations

Blemi, Hannah, and Zach discussed the independence and confidence that regular use of a cane can bring:

Blemi and Hannah discuss the increased independence and confidence that using a cane can bring

#CPChatNow welcomed a new member this week as Chandler Gobin joined the chat.  She discussed wanting to do a 5k with Zach and Zach discussed his preparation including regular exercises, training, and range of motion.

Zach and Chandler discussing preparations for a 5k including regular exercises, training, range of motion exercises. Chandler reports she forgets to stretch

Chandler and Rachel discussed spasms that Chandler has been experiencing. Rachel offered advice of checking her IT band and hip flexors while joking she should get a medical and therapy degree with all of her PT and OT

Chandler discussing her spasms while Rachel suggests checking her IT band and hip flexors

Rachel jokes she should get an honorary medical and therapy degree with her 20 years of PT and OT experience

Rachel’s Tweet brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What “awards” do you feel you should win from having CP? My award? The Straightest Legs in My Youth Gymnastics Class (I couldn’t bend them).

A picture of a gold trophy centered on a white background. There is black lettering of What "awards" do you feel you should win from having CP? above the trophy with the multi-colored #CPChatNow logo on the bottom left hand corner

Tweet you later!

*Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-27-2017

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Another month in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow’s history came to a close Wednesday, September 27th, 2017. I am original #CPChatNow co-founder and current co-host Zachary Fenell, here with highlights for all. You know what I am talking about, recap time!

Familiar faces returning gave the night a reunion-like feel. First, past participant Timmy Le popped in.

A familiar face to long-time CPChatNow regulars found time for the September 27th Twitter chat, Timmy Le! Unfortunately, at the start “everyone” only included Jen and myself. However with time, more individuals started showing up.

Co-host Devin Axtman apologizes for his tardiness, mentioning a rough March. Yes, March!My co-host Devin Axtman apologized for his tardiness, citing a tough March! Devin quickly realized his misspeak.

Devin quickly catches his misspeak.Regular Hannah Pike noted forgetting the month signifies a long month. I jokingly theorized the mix-up related to cerebral palsy awareness initiatives. The United States acknowledges March as CP Awareness Month. Meanwhile an international awareness initiative, World CP Day, remains days away!

A short while later another name from CPChatNow’s past re-surfaced.

Kate takes a study break from nursing school to re-surface in CPChatNow.Kate found time in her busy nursing school schedule to check in with us at #CPChatNow. Devin expressed admiration towards Kate’s desire to go into nursing. The course load proves challenging in general, let alone with the additional obstacles cerebral palsy may cause.

Potential cerebral palsy caused obstacles also came up regarding interacting with children. Recently becoming an uncle, I possessed curiosity about others with nieces or nephews and how CP impacts their abilities as an aunt or uncle.

Zachary asks if having CP hinders anyone's abilities to be an aunt or uncle.Susanne Kate Brasset responded, mentioning kids’ ability to adapt. Sentiments Jocelyn supported, talking about her niece and nephew.

Jocelyn recalls a recent conversation she had with her seven-year old niece about disability.Jocelyn talks more about her niece and nephew, noting her four-year old nephew warned her about a railing issue.The stories Jocelyn shared about her niece and nephew displayed children’s willingness to learn and their thoughtfulness. Maybe you hold insights helpful to the subject. Keep the conversation going then!

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "Have you found cerebral palsy hinders your ability to be an aunt or uncle at all?" Leave your reply in the "Comments" section.Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Have you found cerebral palsy hinders your ability to be an aunt or uncle at all?”

Leave your reply by commenting below. Until next time!

-Zachary