Members in the #CPChatNow community turned to our Twitter chat Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 seemingly looking for an escape from their busy lives. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to tell you more. There seems no better way to do that than your weekly recap!

A theme involving busyness quickly emerged. Co-host Jorge Otezia dropped in, updating us on his semester ahead at University of Mary Washington.

Between working 30 hours a week and a full course load Jorge warns he will end up missing in action a lot. In a separate conversation my other co-host Devin also appeared occupied with a full schedule.

Responding to Devin, I pointed out how busyness can tempt someone to feel overwhelmed. Personally I avoid this by remembering busyness proves a privilege. Changing your mindset to say “I get to” oppose to “I have to” makes a huge difference! Otherwise you risk becoming stressed. Fittingly stress surfaced as a topic thanks to #CPChatNow regular Rachel.

Rachel asked if anybody feels like their CP makes dealing with stress harder compared to our able-bodied counterparts. Among the replies to Rachel, Devin offered an interesting theory. He theorized since we spend more energy moving around, we also exert more energy when stressed.

To prevent dwelling on the above problem, let us borrow the approach #CPChatNow co-founder John W. Quinn shared so many times. John always encouraged we focus on solutions. So answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What tricks do you use to help handle your stress?” Leave your stress relief tip via a comment in the “Comments” section.

Before commenting though, shall we continue with the recap? Conversation eventually transitioned to a couple recent news stories. The first caught my attention earlier in the week.

The story “Family of boy, 13, who cannot walk or talk because of cerebral palsy left in tears after laughing drunks call him a ‘cabbage.‘” noted how the mother felt humiliated by the experience. Reading her comments saddened me because in my opinion the offending adults should feel embarrassed. Not the family! Devin shared enduring a similar situation and initially feeling bad. I deducted feeling bad stands a human instinct, but we could benefit training ourselves to rethink our emotional response.

Beyond his own memories Devin tweeted about another news story featuring bullying behavior.

Devin’s share “Professor put on leave after allegedly mocking U of G student with ‘severe anxiety’” detailed a professor who allegedly acted unsavory towards a student with severe anxiety. Rachel found the article unsurprising. Meanwhile I contemplated contributing the bullying behavior to the professor possessing his own unresolved issues.

Anyways, enough negative talk! Time to find solutions in life. We cannot control other people, but we can control how we react in such stressful situations. Perhaps you enjoy a great stress relief tip. Share by answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“What tricks do you use to help handle your stress?”

Respond below. Until next time remember, don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary