#CPChatNow Recap- 4/24/2019

Hello Internet! #CPChatNow was buzzing last week. Members talked about walking in the rain, their favorite photo of themselves, and the need for rails while using stairs.

Zach and I lamented about recent experiences while walking and rolling in the rain.

i tweeted about needing a wheelchair umbrella and my poncho died on the way home, zach tweeted he needed a hat umbrella and that kind people recently gave him a ride home

Next, Zach shared one of his favorite photos of himself being near his goal of completing a marathon:

zach sharing his favorite photo of him passing mile marker 25 during his marathon

Zach asked about what side of the street members with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy prefer to face. This then morphed into a conversation about stairs and handrails:

zach asked about which side of the street members with hemiplegic cp prefer to face. jeni tweeted no preference, but she prefers to walk on the inside of the sidewalk if possible
ciaran tweeted he likes to have a railing on his unaffected side, zach tweeted he likes his good leg facing the street, zach goes without railings to build his balance, i tweeted lack of railings was an issue at wrigley field
zach tweeted he has been to wrigley and saw the cubs and brewers play in 2013 when he only went up one steps. zach also lamented the gap between gymnasium rails and the strategy he uses to move to the next rail

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Questions (for the hemis): Are there particular things you like to do with you non-affected side?

Thanks for reading! Join us each Wednesday at 8pm Eastern on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPChatNow!

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#CPChatNow Recap- 04-17-2019

Assorted topics arose Wednesday, April 17th, 2019 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to meet all your recap needs. So allow me to get right into the action.

Long-time #CPChatNow regular Jen refused to let a storm threat stop her from joining in on the week’s fun. Actually the storm threat wound up stimulating conversation.

#CPChatNow participants discuss their least favorite parts of bad weather.

Based off Jen’s situation, I asked participants to name their least favorite parts about storms. Jen mentioned tornadoes and sirens. Meanwhile Seth said power outages remain his least favorite part. I noted the inconveniences power outages cause. My co-host Devin Axtman added insight, pointing out power outages create difficulties medication wise too.

Another conversational spark occurred when Devin asked if anyone has seen Netflix’s new TV show Special.

Special gave Molly an emotional reaction. She cried!
Based off Blemi's recommendation, Hannah and Devin intend to watch Special.

Molly said Special made her cry, meaning the show left an emotional impact on her. Blemi also enjoyed an emotional viewing experience, explaining how she identifies so much with Ryan’s character. Words leaving Devin to exclaim he will have to watch! Hannah additionally revealed her intentions to watch Special, putting the show on her things to watch list.

How about you? Answer for this week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you plan to watch Special? Why or why not?” Answer in the “Comments” section!

Speaking of plans, participants shared their upcoming Easter plans.

Hannah looks forward to coloring eggs for the first time in at least five years.

Blemi raised the subject, asking if anyone possessed big Easter plans. Hannah looked forward to coloring eggs for the first time in at least five years. Simultaneously, Grace revealed a unique Easter tradition her family partakes in.

Grace's family plays family trivia on Easter.

Oppose to an Easter egg hunt, Grace’s family plays family trivia. She pondered whether the tradition extends from her family seeking an accessible alternative to the more traditional Easter egg hunt. Either way, the trivia offers a fun time.

Perhaps your family enjoys their own unique holiday tradition. Join us on Twitter Wednesday evening starting at 8pm ET and share all about your tradition! Just remember to use the hashtag “#CPChatNow” in your tweet. Finally, also remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “Do you plan to watch Special? Why or why not?” Comment below!

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

-Zachary

Keep the conversation going! Answer, "Do you plan to watch Special? Why or why not?"
Answer by commenting below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 4/10/2019

This past week in #CPChatNow was interesting as always. Members discussed various topics such as problematic Lyft rides, meeting a significant other’s parents, and patronizing words. In honor of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, here are the 3 stars of the week presented by #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman.

First, Hannah shared a problematic story with a Lyft driver. Unfortunately, she experienced discriminatory behavior from a Lyft driver refusing to give a ride due to fears Hannah’s wheelchair would scratch the car, but the second driver was great:

Hannah's story about taking a lyft when the driver refused to take her due to worries about her wheelchair scratching the car

Next, Zach and I talked about meeting a significant other’s parents for the first time when you have CP. This morphed into a discussion about me being miffed at the phrase ”seeing past disability.”

zach asks about meeting significant other's parents with cp. i said it was not an issue with my girlfriend's parents. we discussed the phrase seeing past a disability and then not defining someone by their disability

Finally, this led to a discussion of what words or phrases miff people. Seth tweeted his thoughts:

seth tweets about his words he is miffed by 'special' and "you'll get a speeding ticket"

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What words or phrases used to describe disability miff you? Please join us each Wednesday at #CPChatNow on Twitter at 8 Eastern.

#CPChatNow Recap- 04-03-2019

Conversation remained buzzing Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to bring you the highlights the best way I know how. Your weekly recap!

Topics to discuss began arriving before the live chat even began at 8pm ET. Earlier in the week Sue Tonnesen included our hashtag in a tweet seeking podcast recommendations.

#CPChatNow participants offer their podcast recommendations.

#CPChatNow regular Seth recommended the Speechless podcast Zach Anner hosts. Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman highly recommended The Accessible Stall. Another topic which came up prior to Wednesday evening involved accessibility.

#CPChatNow participants discuss accessible travel.

CP and Me asked the question “Accessible transport, how is it for you?” Devin mentioned using an accessible taxi once in Chicago, comparing the experience to seeing a unicorn. Imagery meant to emphasize how difficult finding accessible taxis stands. I suggested an inability to schedule an accessible taxi in advance feeds into the availability problem to which Devin agreed.

Keeping the dialogue flowing into the night, Devin asked a question.

Devin asks #CPChatNow, "What improvements would you make for a Speechless season 4?"

Hypothetically assuming Speechless gets renewed, Devin asked what improvements people would make to the show. Seth expressed interest in seeing more adult themes. For example, have JJ join a frat.

Personally I would enjoy JJ encountering an inconsiderate jerk and needing to learn to find peace with having such jerks out there and being unable to educate them all. Hopefully the opportunity for either Seth or my scenario to play out happens. Stay tuned to the #CPChatNow Facebook fan page. We will surely post updates about whether Speechless receives a renewal.

Now though, let us return to recapping the April 3rd, 2019 #CPChatNow. A trending hashtag from earlier in the day inspired me to ask a question.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow "What would be your don't tell Mom that scenario?"

The aforementioned hashtag “#DontTellMomThat” left me asking participants to share their don’t tell Mom that scenario. Devin said his would be trying to walk on his own before physical therapy after a surgery. Interestingly enough my answer also entailed physical activity.

Zachary shares his #DontTellMomThat story.

I said not to tell Mom I started experimenting with taking the stairs in high school instead of taking the elevator like I was suppose to. What about you? Keep the conversation going by answering for the extend-the-conversation question, “What is your #DontTellMomThat story?”

Answer in the comments below! Then remember to join us on Twitter Wednesdays starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is your #DontTellMomThat story?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 3/27/2019

*SPORTS ANCHOR VOICE* “IT’S TIME FOR YOUR WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST WEEK IN #CPCHATNOW! I’M DEVIN AXTMAN, the #CPChatNow Co-Host, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. PLAY BALL!

First, our other #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell offered a preview of his next video, If Bob Ross had Cerebral Palsy:

Zach teasing his next video, If Bob Ross had Cerebral Palsy

Next, Zach and I discussed the opening day for baseball season and whether our disability impacts our plans at the ballpark:

Zach asked how people's disabilities impact their experience at the ballpark when Devin tweeted he is going to opening day
zach said once he is seated he does not get up and relies on friends to get food. I tweeted this was my same plan.

Continuing down the lineup of chat highlights, talk turned to the sitcom Speechless and member’s thoughts on season 3. Zach and Seth offered their thoughts on a recent episode while I shared one of my recent favorites.

Zach and seth tweeted about their enjoyment of the most recent episode of speechless. i shared I liked when Maya made the board game. zach tweeted he likes when everyone is involved

Zach and I then shared our thoughts on recent direction of the show and what characters we enjoyed watching:

i shared i thought this season was the weakest, but still worth watching. i shared i tune out kenneth and jimmy but enjoy ray and dillon. zach shared jimmy and ray are his favorite characters and he enjoys this season more than the last.

Next, Paul and Zach brought up the fact that JJ is unable to speak on the show while the actor, Micah Fowler, can speak fine.

paul asks why JJ is non-verbal while the actor is verbal. zach said no idea with a chris farley gif

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What improvements would you like in a Speechless season 4?

the extend-the-conversation graphic. a green highway sign with the word improvement in front of a blue sky. there is a black text saying 'what improvements would you like to see in a speechless season 4?' the white #CPChatNow logo is in the left hand corner

*SPORTS ANCHOR VOICE* “THANKS FOR WATCHING! PLEASE JOIN US EACH WEDNESDAY AT 8 EASTERN AT #CPChatNow on Twitter! THIS IS DEVIN AXTMAN SIGNING OFF!