Participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow discussed various topics Wednesday, December 12th, 2018. As co-host I am tasked to neatly summarize all the different discussion into your weekly recap. Wish me luck!

“Good luck Zachary!”

Thank you! The extend-the-conversation question from the previous week’s recap stimulated early dialogue December 12th.

My co-host Devin Axtman originally posed the question during the December 5th recap. “What is the theme song of your life with cerebral palsy?” Blemi answered “She Moves in Mysterious Ways” by U2 while Devin himself responded “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. Seth’s response meanwhile left him and I bonding.

Seth replied “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls. Personally I love that song. As I explained in the chat the lyrics “I don’t want the world to see me because I don’t think they will understand” strongly resonated with how I felt back in my timid days. Seth noted feeling the same way.

Continuing to provide a spark kindling chatter Devin raised another question.

Devin asked whether anyone has CP related holiday traditions. He then named his. Devin’s family hangs the cabbage patch outfit Devin wore his first Christmas on their tree. Jeni Briere sympathized, recalling her older sister getting upset when their parents “stole” the sister’s cabbage patch kids clothes for Jeni to wear.

Simultaneously in answering Devin’s question I explored a separate aspect to holiday traditions.

Diverting a little from the original query, I named Christmas Eve dinners at Grandma’s house as my favorite holiday tradition. Although not directly CP related, I explained Grandma’s home remained largely accessible helping to create an enjoyable environment. Devin especially empathized alongside one factor I mentioned, needing a table to eat. A need not all participants shared though!

Hannah vocalized she prefers not eating at a table, a preference she reasons extends back to rarely doing so when growing up. No matter your dining setting preferences, everyone could probably agree the holidays can represent a stressful time. Stress eventually rose to the conversation’s forefront. I asked how individuals keep themselves from over exerting themselves. Grace admitted she does not. Rather she counts on someone else to help keep her in check. Otherwise she will work herself to death or at least fall and/or encounter pain flares. Experiences I resonate with, mentioning I know I need to take a step back and refocus when my movements get extra sloppy.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What signs indicate you are over exerting yourself?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

Recognizing these signs stand vital. They allow you to better understand your limits, a subject Hannah knows too well.

Leave your answer in the comments!

Similar to Grace, Hannah confessed to lacking balance within her life. Serious health complications the disruption in Hannah’s situation. Hannah named learning she can’t push past her body’s limits stood the hardest lesson. Familiarizing yourself with how your body tells you “Enough” stays vital to avoid over exertion. So again answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What signs indicate you are over exerting yourself?”

Reply below in the “Comments.” Then remember to join #CPChatNow every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary