This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members talked about various topics like having multiple disabilities, horror movies and CP, and their personal analogy for the CP community. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, two long time members of the #CPChatNow community finally met each other in-person with Hannah Pike and my other co-host, Zachary Fenell, meeting:
Shira asked if having CP made you more likely to have multiple disabilities:
Members chimed in that they had multiple diagnoses with CP and that other symptoms from CP might lead to a diagnosis:
Next, members talked about the impacts from CP and their startle reflex on watching horror movies:
Finally, Zach asked if members had an analogy for the Cerebral Palsy community:
Seth chimed in with his own analogy borrowing from a Lady Gaga song:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What analogy would you use for the CP community? Please share your answers in the comments!
Join us every Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Zachary Fenell and I am the co-host for the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Yet #CPChatNow remains much more than just a Twitter chat. Our participants make up a community. What exactly makes a community, a community though? That question I am able to answer by recapping the Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 chat.
A community disbands isolation, turning seemingly odd quirks into common bonds. Like sneezing and cerebral palsy!
To an able-bodied person, a forthcoming sneeze probably raises one major thought “Better get a Kleenex.” Living with cerebral palsy adds another level to consider. Long-time regular Blemi described sneezing as “a whole body event for me.” I related, sharing I need to brace my lower half before sneezing. Otherwise I might blow myself off balance!
A second aspect to community involves supporting each other, providing concern and encouragement when life’s balance falters. Upon my co-host Devin Axtman literally experiencing this, #CPChatNow proved ready to rise to the occasion.
Devin tweeted he just took a huge fall at a restaurant, but avoided harm. Community member Chris responded, sharing surprise she has not fallen at work yet. Continuing Chris said she began using a cane back in January. Based off her zero falls at work, the cane appears quite helpful.
Meanwhile I asked Devin about the after fall. In my experience people’s reactions can prove more flustering then the actual fall. Devin explained the floor’s weird texture caused his fall to sound extra loud. The loudness left others there to look prior to resuming their own dinners.
Beyond diffusing loneliness and supplying emotional support, community stands a place you may go to ask questions. I took full advantage June 5th, posing a question to our group.
Currently I am working on a blog post, seeking to highlight social media’s positives. Wanting input from others, I asked “How has social media had a positive impact on your life?”
Chris in-part replied she learned a lot about different disabilities and made friends. Should we keep the conversation going?
I agree! Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How has social media had a positive impact on your life?” Leave a comment to respond!
Then experience the #CPChatNow community firsthand, joining the chat every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
Every Wednesday you can count on the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow for quality conversation. Or, at least I believe so. Seeing I am #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, I obviously possess a bias. Allow me to persuade you by providing you your weekly chat recap.
Quality conversation begins with thoughtful people. Those individuals comprise our community’s core. Therefore even during quieter nights #CPChatNow remains enjoyable. Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 proved one such occasion.
Exactly how enjoyable? My co-host Devin Axtman made efforts to multi-task despite his own exciting plans that night.
Devin joined #CPChatNow from Minute Maid Park, where he watched his Chicago Cubs play the Houston Astros. To use a baseball metaphor, Devin stepped up to the plate during the chat and hit a home run. The homer symbolizes the dialogue Devin sparked.
A feel good news story to many received a contentious outlook within our community. Devin retweeted Fox 5 DC’s post reporting about a local Home Depot building a young boy a walker. In Devin’s opinion the media missed the true story. How can the U.S. healthcare system not provide such basic equipment?
Long-time #CPChatNow regular Blemi added her input, pointing out by paying now you can save later. After all through providing treatments and devices you increase the likelihood individuals with disabilities become contributing society members. Meanwhile I highlighted a line found in the Fox 5 DC piece which struck me as odd.
I noted the story Devin shared never flat out said the insurance company would not pay for the walker. Instead the parents remained unsure whether the insurance company would cover the cost. This left me wondering, “Couldn’t you call and ask?”
My question left us contemplating the possibilities. Devin suggested perhaps the family was in the middle of the process. Further thought left me contemplating additional prospects. Maybe the parents tried calling, but kept getting put on hold. Or, they wound up talking to unhelpful representatives. Who knows?!
Rather than continuing to speculate, let us talk what we do know. Our personal experiences! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What have your experiences with insurance companies been?”
Comment below to answer. Then remember to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.
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