Monthly Archives: February 2018

#CPChatNow Recap- 2-21-2018

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Last Wednesday was a bustling week in #CPChatNow as always.  Members discussed Drunk History portraying the fight for disability rights and a discussion on members’ number one life priorities.  This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for this week’s recap.

First, we are very excited to announce #CPChatNow’s 2nd t-shirt sale benefiting the Keep On Keeping On Foundation.  Get your #CPChatNow Community Established December 2013 shirt now!

Tweet announcing #CPChatNow's t shirt sale

Next, Rachel and I talked about Drunk History portraying the fight by the disability community to get the Rehabilitation Act 504 standards codified into law. Past #CPChatNow participant, Ajani “AJ” Murray, was an actor in the video! (Warning: the link contains adult language)

Rachel and I discussing our mutual love for Drunk History's segment on the section 504 regulations

Next, members talked about their number one priority with Zach, myself, and Heather chiming in:

Zach asks about member's number 1 priorities. He said his is taking care of himself physically, I said being happy, and Heather mentioned dreading going to work after a few days out and wondering what her coworkers will think. Zach asks Heather about she handles this

Heather and Zach both tweeted about how the only thing that should matter for a boss is job performance:

Heather tweeted about how she normally only worries about what she can control. Zach tweeted that the only thing that should matter from a boss is opinions on job performance

Finally, Shira and Zach discussed Shira’s number 1 priority, survival:

Shira responded her number one priority is survival. Zach asked a follow up question about what makes it easiest for her to survive

Shira tweeted that she survives by leaning on her support system. Zach agreed this is critical.

Shira tweeted that leaning on others and dreams and determination helps. Zach and Shira agreed that

This brings us to our extend-the-conversation question.  I will add to Zach’s great question: What is your number 1 priority in life and how does CP factor into your priority (if at all)?

Be sure to join us every Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow

Tweet you later!

-Devin

A white background with Extend-The-Conversation in black and What is your number 1 priority in life and how does CP factor into your priority (if at all)? on the bottom. The multicolored #CPChatNow logo is in the bottom lefthand corner. There is a pointer finger with a red ball with a #1 in white

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#CPChatNow Recap- 02-14-2018

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February 2018 coincidentally saw Valentine’s Day and the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow fall on the same day. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, ready to recap the dialogue from February 14th. Participants’ attitudes towards Valentine’s Day emerged early in the chat.

#CPChatNow community members share a disinterest in Valentine's Day.Participants Jen and Rachel‘s responses to my Valentine’s Day greeting showed a disapproval for the holiday. Jen wished a “Happy Single made up holiday.” Meanwhile Rachel pulled a Scrooge, saying “Bah humbug!”

Chatter remained Valentine’s Day related via participants sharing their experiences with online dating. Unfortunately, the tales skewed more negative than positive. Disclosing your disability proving a key topic. However, I will avoid specifics since the recap rules deem “Tweets focus on sensitive life events, such as relationship matters” not recap appropriate.

Eventually discourse moved beyond a love theme. I announced the date for our February 2018 Google Hangout.

#CPChatNow will hold their monthly Google Hangout for February 2018 Thursday, February 22nd. Google Hangouts offer the chance for us to talk face to face and share stories harder to tell with Twitter’s character limits. Distributing the Hangout link happens privately to ensure a safe environment. Please contact either my co-hosts Jorge Otezia, Devin Axtman, or myself by Twitter or through the #CPChatNow Facebook fan page to inquire about joining the Hangout.

Mentioning Devin, he added input to a question I asked.

Devin and Zachary discuss falling.Devin answered my question, “How often do you fall?” He said he falls maybe once a month. I explained the reason I asked, feedback I received on a recent Youtube video discussing falls.

The user commented he never falls because he catches himself. Devin and I both found the ability to catch yourself all the time impressive. Long-time community member Jocelyn also added to the falling talk.

Jocelyn answers the question how often she falls.Jocelyn possessed a more precise answer to the question “How often do you fall?” She noted tracking how often she falls and trips. Within the information she logs she includes the situation’s circumstances. Probably very helpful data!

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "How often do you fall?"Your turn now. Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How often  do you fall?” Estimate if you do not know the exact amount. Leave your answer by commenting below.

Until next time,

Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 2-7-2018

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This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always.  Members discussed positive and negative things that had happened in the past week, a community pulling together to build an accessible playground, and a tattoo they would get to represent their CP.  This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

#CPChatNow started with Co-host, Zach Fenell, asking members what positive things had happened for them this week. I shared getting back into the swing of things at the gym and Hannah reported texting friends and getting a new shirt in the mail:

Zach asked members what positive things had happened. I shared getting back to the gym and Hannah stated she recently got a new shirt

Zach shared the exciting (and positive!) news that he is starting to write a new book on his journey to becoming a marathoner:

Zach announcing he is starting a book on his journey to becoming a marathoner

Next, talk turned to a community raising money to build an accessible playground. Zach shared that he hoped the other kids asked the kids using wheelchairs’ permission first before helping them:

Zach and Devin discussing an accessible playground and the necessity of asking permission first

Zach and I agreed that inclusive playgrounds should be the standard:

Zach and I discussing that inclusive playgrounds should be the standard

Next, talk turned to tattoos members would get to represent cerebral palsy.  Members replied with various words and themes:

Members discussing what tattoos they would get to represent their CP

Zach referenced Southpark from Seth's tweet, Blemi tweeted Shackles, and Zach tweeted a tank

This brings us to our extend-the-conversation question: What tattoo would you get to represent your experience with CP?  Please share you answers in the comments!

Tweet you later!

-Devin

Extend-The-Conversation is in black, a green butterfly with cerebral palsy written on a green ribbon, and the Extend-The-Conversation question: What tattoo would you get to represent your experience with CP? along with the multi-colored #CPChatNow logo in the bottom left hand corner

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-31-2018

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An abbreviated #CPChatNow Twitter chat happened Wednesday, January 31st, 2018. I am co-host Zachary Fenell here to provide you the details via your weekly recap. Around our usual start time 8pm ET, my co-host Devin announced he would miss the chat.

Devin checks in to tell the #CPChatNow community he cannot make the night's chat.Trouble since I found myself with Internet connection problems. Without seeing Devin’s tweet I reached out to longtime regular Hannah Pike to give participants an update.

Longtime #CPChatNow regular Hannah Pike gives a chat update for Zachary.Thankfully a change in status occurred a little before 9pm ET. Equipped with a re-established Internet connection, I entered the #CPChatNow thread. Soon the dialogue started flowing like any other Wednesday from the past four-plus years.

Issues recently experienced by longtime regular Blemi led to conversation about ableism.

#CPChatNow participants discuss ableism and discrimination.While Blemi gave an update on her parking situation, Hannah mentioned ableist tendencies. I replied, noting too many people do not realize their ableist behavior. As the chatter continued I theorized a big problem involves the tendency to grow defensive when discussing discrimination. People take words personally oppose to staying open-minded.

Later in the chat participants rallied together again to supply support to another. Regular Shira Sadiky looked to our community for advice on transitioning to college.

#CPChatNow participants discuss living on-campus and the difference between single, double, and medical single rooms.I asked Shira what her roommate situation will end up like. Personally I always paid the double rate for a room in college although I lived in a single. Devin supplied greater perspective, explaining the difference between doubles, singles, and medical singles.

Towards the chat’s end I raised a question asked to me the day prior.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow participants about their rock, what keeps them moving during tough times.The question “What’s your rock?” a middle school teacher asked me following my presentation at a school. Your rock meaning what keeps you moving forward during hard times. Devin, who ended up making the chat at the end after all, said friends and family. That answer proved common.

#CPChatNow participants name their "rocks."Blemi called her significant other her rock. Meanwhile Jen said her mother gives her strength during tough times. Your turn! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question,

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What is your rock? So what keeps you going during tough times?"“What is your rock? What keeps you going during tough times?”

Respond in the “Comments” section below. Then join us Wednesday evening at 8pm ET for our weekly Twitter chat!

Tweet you soon,

-Zachary