Much meaningful conversation occurred Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell and guess what? Correct! I am in recapping mode.

With the date March 14th, 3-14, the mood proved extra festive.

March 14th aka Pi Day gave participants an additional reason to celebrate the Wednesday. Heather DeYoe shared she celebrated Pi Day by eating wild blueberry pie. Meanwhile the closest I came to pie involved a GIF I tweeted earlier in the day.

Although the dialogue began on a lighthearted note, topics soon turned serious. Shira sought comfort related to a frustrating family situation. This led me to pose a reflective question.

My question asked what you wish or wished your parents did differently. Hailey Hughes expressed a desire for her father to understand some movements happen unconsciously. For example, motions like irregular arm positioning and walking flat-footed.

Elsewhere in the chatter, challenges long-time regular Hannah Pike continues facing led to a taboo subject surfacing.

Hannah mentioned not seeing herself as a fighter because no other option exist. I commended her mindset, voicing an uncomfortable truth. Others might contemplate suicide as an alternative.

“It (suicide) only transfers the pain to your family and friends” Hannah reasoned. We agreed, recognizing the need to discuss suicide. Increased discussion could convince someone to reach out to find help.

Helping to lighten the chatter, I proposed a question designed to spark creative thinking.

Shira and I went back and forth answering my query, “If you were to use an analogy to describe to someone what living with cerebral palsy is like, what analogy would you use?” Responding, Shira likened cerebral palsy to a robot with a rusty central system. Her response triggered me to say a computer who only replies to 0s or 1s but not both binary code elements.

Do you want to add to the conversation with your own analogy? Go ahead! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What analogy would you use to describe living with cerebral palsy?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Also double check your calendars. Our next focus chat approaches fast!

Our very own Rachel will lead the chat, focusing on the past year in CP. Reflection analyzing the positives and negatives related to the CP community from March 2017 to March 2018. Contact Rachel if you would like to see anything particular addressed Wednesday, March 28th.

Prior to contacting Rachel though, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “What analogy would you use to describe living with cerebral palsy?” Respond in the “Comments” section below. Then countdown the hours to our next Twitter chat. #CPChatNow happens every Wednesday at 8pm ET.

Tweet you later,

-Zachary