Monthly Archives: July 2018

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-18-2018

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Spasticity held a tight grip on the conversation Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, filling in for my co-host Devin Axtman who missed the July 18th chat. Before delving into the night’s discussion, I made a couple housekeeping announcements.

Zachary gives #CPChatNow an update on the then not finished July 11th recap.Due to increased hours at work I proved unable to finish the previous week’s recap prior to the 18th. That recap now remains ready to read, “#CPChatNow Recap- 07-11-2018.” Our other announcement related to our monthly Google Hangouts.

Due to busy schedules there will be no #CPChatNow Google Hangout for July 2018.

Unfortunately due to my and Devin’s schedules this month, NO July 2018 Hangout will take place. You could say our schedules remain tight. Literal tightness surfaced as a subject a short while later.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how increased spasticity impacts them physically.Recently encountering increased tightness, I asked the group what changes to their bodies they notice when their spasticity increases. Hailey Hughes mentioned experiencing more trigger spots in her back and tighter hamstrings. Heather DeYoe added fatigue and tension headaches to the list. Wum said her arm starts to curl. Plus her facial muscles tighten, causing her to smirk. These physical reactions can cause additional challenges.

Hailey and Zachary discuss hamstring tightness causing trouble concentrating.Hailey and I both find tighter hamstrings leads to difficulty concentrating. Pain and discomfort distract our minds. Stretching helps to remedy the situation. However, another participant pointed out stretching does possess flaws.

#CPChatNow participants compare stretching and yoga.Chat regular, the self-proclaimed “Resilient Wench,” Rachel noted stretching may shock the body and leave movements feeling strange. She instead prefers yoga triangle poses. Hailey also vouched for yoga. I recalled hearing others with CP previously praising yoga too. I admitted though, I would not know where to begin. Thankfully Rachel offered her insights.

Rachel shares her yoga experiences.

Rachel shared her history with yoga, which dates back to her childhood. She explained due to her asymmetrical body and inability to form good muscle groups she will never surpass an amateur level. Therefore she does yoga on her own, guided by Adriene Mischler’s (Yoga with Adriene) Youtube videos.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How do you relieve hamstring tightness?"

Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you relieve hamstring tightness?” 

Yoga? Stretching? Something else? Leave your response by commenting below.

Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

 

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#CPChatNow Recap- 7-11-2018

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A frustrated tone proved present Wednesday, July 11th, 2018 throughout the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to recap said frustration. A current event triggered the early irritation.

#CPChatNow participant Seth raises a controversy news item, banning straws.

Regular #CPChatNow participant Seth made a humorous remark insinuating environmentalists do not care about disabled people. Recently up to date on disability related news, I offered context for Seth’s tweet.

#CPChatNow participants give their thoughts on states and countries banning plastic straws.Hot topic news stemmed from Seattle banning plastic straws. Such a decision remains controversial because many with disabilities need the object my co-host Devin called a “vital tool.” I shared an article discussing the aforementioned plastic straw ban, which led to insightful conversation.

Personally, the news piece stimulated my curiosity. The coverage mentioned alternative straws, an item drawing my intrigue. Participant Wum Gin echoed sentiments that such options cannot compare to how plastic straws perform.

To the Seattle ban credit, they incorporated an exemption for disability and medical conditions. The question arose though, how do you enforce the exemption? No real answers surfaced. Instead the dialogue unraveled, leading to further disheartening issues.

A ban on straws is far from the only issue concerning to the disability community. #CPChatNow participants talk troubling disability employment statistics.

Our beloved “Resilient Wench,” Rachel, thought in some cities you can receive a $250 fine if found using a plastic straw. Devin believed those fines applied to businesses, oppose to individuals. He even commented “I don’t see how they can stop an individual person from using a straw, but who knows.” I can confirm courtesy a CNBC report the $250 fine does indeed apply to businesses, NOT the individual. Information I obtained while researching the plastic straw ban prior to publishing today’s recap.

Within the moment July 11th however, I made a joke based off South Park‘s reoccurring one liner “They took our jobs!” The quip refocused our attention to the unfunny troubles people with disabilities encounter when seeking employment. Devin provided a specific example featuring a potential job applicant and Pacific Sunwear of California. You can read the story yourself, “EEOC Sues Pacific Sunwear of California, LLC.”

Unfair employment practices especially impact women with disabilities, a factor Rachel highlighted.

Rachel notes women with disabilities confront many injustices when seeking employment.

Between the gender pay gap and employers discriminating against disabled job applicants, women with disabilities sadly confront multiple injustices in their job seeking efforts. Truly infuriating! So upsetting you might find yourself angrily shaking. Both Rachel and I recounted personal experiences where an aggravating situation left us shaking.

Rachel and Zachary discuss experiences when they became so angry, their bodies started shaking. This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How does getting angry affect you physically?"Do you relate? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How does getting angry affect you physically?” Share in the “Comments” section below.

Well, looking back I realize July 11th’s chat contained a highly negative focus. Nevertheless we talked over important matters. I think #CPChatNow thrives because we don’t let the tough subjects intimidate us. Make sure to join us every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. Tweet you then!

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 7-3-2018

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There was a bit of a change to #CPChatNow this week.  The chat was moved to Tuesday to accommodate the 4th of July.  However, the chat was still busy as members talked about how often they think about CP, burning calories, and doing chores.  This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

Talk started with whether members thought about their CP regularly.

Zach and Chris talked about if CP is constantly on their minds. They both agreed they think about it, but not overtly

Zach and Rachel talked about the impact (or lack-thereof) of CP on burning calories:

Rachel and Zach talked about whether CP impacted their calories burned, particularly when it came to posture

Next, talk turned to chores that are more difficult because of CP.  Members quickly agreed that making the bed can be very difficult with CP:

Jeni and Zach talking about the difficulty of making the bed

Ironing remained another chore discussed:

Zach and Wum talked about the difficulty of ironing and folding with CP

Zach asked how often members ironed. Devin and Chris talked about their infrequency of ironing

This brings us to our extend-the-conversation question: What is the most difficult chore for you with CP?

Share your answers in the comments and join us tonight at 8 pm eastern!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 06-27-2018

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Within the evening Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 during the live weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow an overarching theme emerged. I am co-host Zachary Fenell here to tell you about said theme. The most fitting way to do so appears obvious, via your weekly recap!

A sky blue background with a person rolling a boulder up a hill outlined in black. Extend-The-Conversation Question centered in white text at the top. What has been your toughest form of disability related adjustment? in the middle and #CPChatNow logo in bottom left hand cornerActually, last week’s recap generated early discussion. Specifically, my co-host Devin Axtman sharing the June 20th recap extend-the-conversation question, “What has been your toughest form of disability related adjustment?” Answers varied but all involved issues you encounter growing older.

Zachary names making friends after college a difficult adjustment.Long-time regular Blemi’s answer triggered me to make comments about the difficult but vital task involved with making new friends. A task Devin called “an underrated hard part of being an adult.” I noted how major life events like moves and having kids naturally causes friendships to grow distant. To avoid becoming isolated, you need to make new friends. Sentiments fellow tenured #CPChatNow participant Hannah Pike found true.

Another reply to the adjustment question entailed finding available services. Hannah and I meanwhile explored a connected subject, picking a doctor.

Hannah and Zachary discuss the many factors involved in picking a doctor.We contemplated the various factors important towards deciding what doctor to get treated by. Details like location, bedside manner, knowledge, willingness to listen, and more! Add to the list by answering for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What attributes do you look for in a doctor?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

Keeping the focus to growing up, I asked a question related to beginning college.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow about what made them nervous about entering college for the first time.Devin remembered worrying about handling everything. However, eventually he proved himself capable. Bullying also stood out as a concern.

Martin shared entering college he worried about bullies.Newcomer to #CPChatNow Martin Wylie indicated he worried bullies might target him in college due to his disability. Sadly he faced such bullying. Yet thankfully Martin added over time he finally made friends.

If you need a friend, consider joining #CPChatnow sometime. We love when new people join us, a fact hopefully evident by how Devin and I greeted Martin.

Zachary welcomes Martin to #CPChatNow.Devin happily greets #CPChatNow newcomer Martin.Typically #CPChatNow happens every Wednesday, going from 8pm to 10pm ET. Please know #CPChatNow will NOT take place tonight. Due to the July 4th holiday, we moved the July 4th chat to yesterday. Devin will provide you that recap soon. Stay tuned for that. Until then, take a moment to answer the extend-the-conversation question.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What attributes do you look for in a doctor?"“What attributes do you look for in a doctor?”

Respond via a comment below.

Until next time, remember. Do not blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary