This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always. Members talked about how #DisabledPeopleAreHot, plans for CP Awareness Month, incompetent nurses, and controversy with Walmart and an employee with CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
The hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot swept Twitter the past week. Many #CPChatNow members posted pictures for the hashtag. Here is a newcomer to #CPChatNow, Lionel Menchaca.
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness month. Zach asked if members had plans for the upcoming month. Veronica and Zach discuss upcoming CP awareness plans
Hannah tweeted about her frustration of being in the hospital and her leg spasms triggering an alarm. A hospital tech asked a truly unbelievably incompetent question:
Finally, #CPChatNow shared collective outrage at a change in Walmart policy which may cause a greeter with CP to lose his job:
#CPChatNow members shared our frustrations with employment and attitudes of employees:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst thing a healthcare employee has said to you? Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.
Occasionally the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow encounters quieter nights. The February 13th, 2019 chat ended up as one such occasion. Nevertheless there still remained enough to highlight and package into your weekly recap. To do so I, co-host Zachary Fenell, am here.
Like previously mentioned, the evening started off slow.
After awhile #CPChatNow regular Seth joked that the chat felt emptier than a Sears. His comment brought out my co-host Devin Axtman. Devin admitted to thinking the day was Tuesday. Oops!
Someone who I knew would miss the chat included long-time regular Hannah. In fact Hannah asked I share a message from her.
Earlier in the day Hannah underwent surgery. Although she wanted to join the fun, she found herself too exhausted. Extremely understandable, if you ask me.
Therefore while waiting to see who else might stop by, Seth and I used the time to discuss a common interest beyond cerebral palsy.
An ability to bond over topics besides cerebral palsy shows a deep connection within our community. For Seth and I we discussed professional wrestling. Major League Baseball (MLB) represents another non-related cerebral palsy common interest multiple people inside our community share.
When the chat began picking up, MLB discussion emerged. However, this time the dialogue held ties to cerebral palsy.
To confess, I brought up the MLB subject. Recent news coverage by ESPN’s Jeff Passan intrigued me. Passan reported the sports juggernaut renaming their “Disabled List,” the “Injured List.” Long-time regular Jen greeted the news without much enthusiasm.
Similarly, I personally never found the phrasing a problem. Yet I also cannot argue against MLB’s reasoning. Passan quoted a MLB memo explaining “The principal concern is that using the term ‘disabled’ for players who are injured supports the misconception that people with disabilities are injured and therefore are not able to participate or compete in sports.”
Devin agreed alongside my thoughts. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you feel about MLB renaming the disabled list, the injured list?” Answer in the “Comments.”
Elsewhere #CPChatNow co-host Jorge Otezia shared a different current news development.
Jorge linked to a press release announcing a merger between the Reaching for the Stars Foundation and The Cerebral Palsy Foundation. You can bet in the coming months we at #CPChatNow will keep you informed regarding the merger and the impact had throughout the cerebral palsy community. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for that.
Prior to going to Facebook to like our page, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “How do you feel about MLB renaming the disabled list, the injured list?”
Answer in the “Comments.”
Answer below via a comment. Then go like our Facebook page. Finally, mark your calendar and come join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.
#CPChatNow included various different topics last Wednesday including: future employability, Valentine’s Day coming up, and even member’s favorite breakfast cereal. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, Shira shared the memory of encountering a Deaf employee at the bowling alley and struggling to communicate with him. She raised an issue many people with disabilities fear, their future employability:
Zach brought up Valentine’s Day and members shared various thoughts from extreme indifference to excitement. Blemi and Zach talked about the day sometimes being a forced holiday:
Finally, Zach and Paul talked about their favorite breakfast cereals:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Have you ever had fears related to your employability due to your disability?
Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter
Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow put on full display arguably their greatest virtue, community. At least I would make said argument and I am #CPChatNow co-founder and co-host Zachary Fenell. Seemingly I am not alone in this opinion either. After a rough week, long-time #CPChatNow regular Hannah Pike turned to the chat seeking a little normalcy.
Participants responded giving Hannah a welcoming reception. In-particular my co-host Devin Axtman asked Hannah if she received the penthouse suite treatment, a reference to last year’s Speechless Thanksgiving episode “C-E– CELEBRITY S-U– SUITE.”
Beyond the usual names, our community also welcomed a new member January 30th.
Newcomer Sean decided to accept an invitation from #CPChatNow regular Shira to join the chat’s fun. Immediately Sean engrossed himself into the dialogue, asking participants to share their favorite portrayal of a person with CP in movies or TV. An effective conversation starter!
Besides opening our metaphorical arms to Sean, our community also warmly greeted a returning familiar face.
Jorge Oteiza managed to find the time within his busy schedule to drop by and say hi. A schedule that includes job hunting, finishing his last semester at college, and handling graduation thoughts.
New and familiar faces alike enjoyed each other’s company. We celebrated accomplishments.
Ciarán shared his continual handwriting improvement. Progress Sean called “proof that persistence is key.” Persisting forward in our recap, additionally to toasting each other’s accomplishments, members in #CPChatNow supplied one another encouragement.
Recalling almost falling earlier in the day Shira commented about avoiding falling on her face, saying “Yay, me?” Both Sean and I reassured, yes indeed. Yay you! Sean reasoned getting away without a broken bone or chipped tooth equals a win over gravity.
Similarly I noted these small saves prevent serious harm. Therefore Shira deserves to feel proud. Surely we all experience such moments anyways. As the week’s extend-the-conversation question, share yours! Respond in the comments.
“Share your own ‘yay me’ moment.”
Let us celebrate our small victories together. Join our community live on Twitter every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET.
#CPChatNow 