#CPChatNow Recap- 09-18-2019

Posted on September 24, 2019 by zacharyfenell

A recent news story helped inspire conversation during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 18th, 2019. Here with the full report, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. By “full report” I mean your weekly recap. Let the recapping begin!

Early in the night a familiar face resurfaced.

After a short hiatus Linds returned to #CPChatNow! Over the years within our community Linds picked up the nickname “Positivity Princess.” Hearing her health upsets now remain stable provided positive vibes.

The optimism continued flowing when I asked a question.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow to fill in the blank for "Cerebral palsy has made me..."

Zachary and Grace discuss CP making them dedicated, stubborn, and determined.

I asked participants to fill in the blank and answer “Cerebral palsy has made me…” Co-host Devin Axtman said CP has made him mentally tough. Meanwhile I replied to my own question, saying CP has made me dedicated. Grace offered a similar reply, crediting cerebral palsy for making her stubborn and determined.

What about you? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Cerebral palsy has made me (Blank).” Leave your answer in the “Comment” section.

Another question I asked Wednesday, September 18th, I based off a recent news story I shared “Arvada boy walks thanks to school resource officer.”

#CPChatNow participants share a time someone went above and beyond for them.

Basically the article highlights a school resource officer who went above and beyond to help a student with cerebral palsy. Therefore I asked participants to share a time someone went above and beyond for them. Devin could not just name one occasion. Instead he expressed how fortunate he feels having an amazing support system.

Blemi highlighted a particular pillar in her support system, her mom. Keeping to the mother-daughter theme, Veronica answered saying the time her daughter got her friends to wear green for CP awareness.

Speaking of awareness, thank you Tinu for helping to spread awareness about #CPChatNow and other disability related Twitter chats.

Tinu tweets out about disability related Twitter chats, including #CPChatNow!

Our chat happens every Wednesday. I hope to tweet you soon. Before then though, don’t forget to answer the extend-the-conversation question. “Cerebral palsy has made me (Blank).”

This week's extend-the-conversation question is a fill in the blank question. "Cerebral palsy has made me (blank)." — Answer in the “Comments.”

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 9/11/2019

Posted on September 17, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was animated as always. Members talked about things like getting a bad night’s sleep, their routine in the morning, and the age old debate of audio books versus physical books.

Members first talked about something that plagues everyone from time to time, a bad night’s sleep and how long it takes them to recover:

zach asks how long members need to recover from a bad night's sleep. chris said it takes forever, blemi said 2 or 3 days and she needs 7 hours of sleep with 8 or 9 being better, zach said he is best with 8 hours of sleep and i tweeted i feel it the next day with 6.5-7 hours being optimal

Next, Zach asked members if they have to wake up earlier to get ready because of CP:

zach asked if members have to wake up early in the morning to get ready due to disability, I said no, but it does take me 5 minutes to put my shoes and orthotics on, zach said he saves time by keeping his shoes tied

I also recommended a book that I am listening to, Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse. Zach and I discussed what I do when I listen to audiobooks:

I recommend the book Strangers Assume My Girlfriend is My Nurse by Shane Burcaw. Zach asked if I multi-task while listening and I shared I do it on my train commute

Next, members engaged in the new school age old debate, physical books or audio books. Zach discussed audiobooks with Blemi who prefers physical books, but does like to use her e-reader.

Zach discussed audiobooks with Blemi who prefers physical books, but does like to use her e-reader.

Hannah and Dave Smith also weighed in on the audiobook debate with Hannah tweeting that she likes physical books because she can physically turn the pages and Dave tweeting it depends on the thing he is reading:

The conversation about audio books versus paper books continued. Hannah said she likes physical books, but they are a chore with her vision and she often gets distracted in audio books.Dave smith said he likes physical books for favorite authors and ebooks for reading and textbooks.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. I will use Zach’s question and put my own twist on it: Do you have to adjust your routine due to disability? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.

Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-04-2019

Posted on September 10, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Alongside each Wednesday comes community, at least for participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to the September 4th, 2019 #CPChatNow recap. The night began on a celebratory note.

Devin and Zachary wish Jen a happy birthday.

My co-host Devin Axtman started the night by wishing long-time chat regular Jen a happy birthday. Jen would respond, letting us know she indeed enjoyed a happy day.

Jen celebrated her birthday by going to the zoo! She even captured a cool video featuring a penguin. Unfortunately, another long-time chat regular experienced a much less fun day.

Health woes continue plaguing beloved #CPChatNow member Hannah. She described her last two years as “constantly fighting.” No matter how long the fight lasts, our community will remain in her corner.

Elsewhere in the chat I asked participants to give me feedback on potential shirt designs.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow for input on potential shirt designs.

Personally, I am looking to release a shirt promoting a message I find especially meaningful. If you read my recaps before, you heard the message because I end my recaps with these words. “Don’t blend in. Blend out!”

Responding, participant Jeni said she liked the second option. Beyond the message, Jeni liked that the design contains Seahawks colors. She reasoned those colors would draw a lot of attention. Plus irritate her sister, a 49ers fan!

Sports and team rivalries provide a great way to develop connections and friendships. Although, any common interest would do the same. For example, most in the chat know Devin, myself, and a few others share an interest in wrestling.

Devin and Zachary talk professional wrestling.

What about you? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is an interest that has helped you develop friendships?” Respond below in the “Comments.”

Then add our Twitter chat to your weekly schedule. The chat happens every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. I hope to tweet you soon.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is an interest that has helped you develop friendships?" — Answer in the comments below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 8-28-2019

Posted on September 3, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was jumping as always. Members talked about topics like submitting their first manuscript, snapping their fingers, and the bane of many people with CP’s existence, shoes. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to recognize #CPChatNow’s resident scientist, Timmy. Timmy is starting his PhD program and submitted his first 1st author manuscript. Good luck this year Timmy!

Zach and Timmy tweet about Timmy's first 1st author manuscript. A paper that condenses his master's thesis.

Next, Zach asked if members are able to snap their fingers, something that is difficult for many people with CP.

Blemi tweets she is able to snap her fingers

Talk then turned to whether members could do things like the Vulcan Salute, sing, and play an instrument.

I tweet I cannot snap or do the vulcan salute. Grace tweeted she cannot do the salute or whistle a melody while she can sing. Zach tweets he cannot sing, snap, or whistle. Grace tweets she has practice but can't play an instrument. Zach tweets practice is important to doing something well.

Next, talk turned to how long member’s shoes last them. Keens and Docs were popular durable shoes. Many members expressed that shoes did not last them long.