#CPChatNow Recap- 10-23-2019

Posted on October 30, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Shared experiences captivated the discussion Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell here to tell you more. The best way I know how too. Your weekly recap!

Early in the night I mentioned feeling a bit under the weather due to a cold. This led long-time chat regular Blemi to ask a question.

#CPChatNow participants discuss whether cold medicine affects their spasticity.

Blemi wondered whether cold medicine affects my spasticity. I answered no, but noted I must take non-drowsy medications. Drowsy cold medicines do not mix well with my baclofen.

Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman provided Blemi reassurance, saying cold medicine impacts his spasticity. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “Do you find cold medicine really affects your spasticity?”

The usual routine applies. Leave your response in the “Comments” section. First though, let us continue recapping the October 23rd Twitter chat.

Devin asks #CPChatNow, "What situations have you avoided because of your CP that people without haven't?"

Devin fueled the conversation asking participants to share situations they avoid because of CP. Responses truly varied. Our own “Positivity Princess” Linds said riding a bike.

Heather likes to avoid standing and mingling and eating or drinking at the same time.

Blemi tries avoiding situations where she doesn't know if there will be parking off the street. Plus scenarios in people's homes where she doesn't know if they have railings.

Both Heather and Blemi offered different answers. Heather said she avoids situations involving standing and mingling and eating or drinking simultaneously. Surely a trying balancing act when factoring in CP!

Concurrently Blemi raised issues surrounding parking and handrails. Specifically she said she avoids situations where she doesn’t know if there will be parking off of the street. The same avoidance applies to entering homes where she doesn’t know if people have railings.

Avoiding all the above situations remains understandable. However, there stands no reason to avoid answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Again, this week’s question asks “Do you find cold medicine really affects your spasticity?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "Do you find cold medicine really affects your spasticity?"

Reply below to answer. Then set a calendar reminder for 8pm ET every Wednesday. That way you may join the conversation LIVE. Share your own experiences. Enjoy the community. Simply click here at 8pm ET and include “#CPChatNow” in your tweets.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 10/16/2019

Posted on October 22, 2019 by devinaxtman

#CPChatNow was active as always last week. Members discussed things such as what makes someone courageous, how their CP can help them avoid hazards, and the difficulty of asking for help. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, Zach asked what it is that makes someone courageous. I shared my opinion that courage is doing something that is needed even if you are scared.

Zach and I discuss what makes somebody courageous. I share it is doing something that is scary, but doing it anyways. Zach shared he felt it was not letting fear stop you.

Next, Zach talked about avoiding tripping at a family clam bake due to being extra conscious of a misplaced step.

Zach tweets he avoided tripping over a step at a clam bake due to being conscious due to CP. Paul tweets he is the same way because of his wheelchair and walking with braces and crutches. Zach tweets he looked for trip hazards at high school reunion.

Next, talked turned to a difficult issue that many people with Cerebral Palsy and disabilities in general face, asking for help. I shared I sometimes don’t ask for help due to the many things I am unable to do and wanting to maximize the things I can do. Zach shared a similar story at the clam bake.

I shared I don't ask for help because there's a lot I can't do and I want to maximize what I can do. Zach shares a scenario of carrying his drink at clam bake and needing to ask for help.

Hannah and Zach tweeted about the feelings surrounding asking for help.

Hannah also tweeted agreement with help sometimes feeling condescending while sometimes she has a sense of appreciation. She tweeted sometimes it relates to the quality of the relationship and sometimes it's her self consciousness.

Hannah and Zach also tweeted further about the fear of being a bother:

Zach and Hannah tweet about being independent to a fault and the fear of being a bother even if they don't see them that way. Zach tweeted he was nervous about working with the Towpath Marathon. Zach tweets this has helped him build confidence to not be a burden.

I want to go back to Zach’s tweet about the step and the clam bake. I know I have been in situations where my CP spidey sense saved me from a sticky situation that people without CP experienced. This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: How has CP helped you avoid bad situations able bodied people experienced? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-09-2019

Posted on October 16, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Curiosity roared throughout the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, October 9th, 2019. Here to tell you more, I am co-host Zachary Fenell. Let the recapping begin!

Early in the evening I posed a question. Originally I saw the question asked in a cerebral palsy related Facebook group I belong to.

Zachary shares a question he first saw a mother ask in a cerebral palsy Facebook group.

Within said Facebook group, a mother wanted input on what others consider the best ramp material. Both chat regular Seth and my co-host Devin Axtman deemed metal the best material for a personal ramp. Information I relayed back to that Facebook group.

Elsewhere in our chat Devin raised a thought provoking question.

#CPChatNow participants discuss whether they find World CP Day helpful.

Saturday, October 5th, 2019 marked World CP Day 2019. The recently passed date left Devin asking if we find such days helpful or if all the awareness (World CP Day, CP Awareness Month, National CP Awareness Day) blends in together. Long-time chat regular Blemi said she thinks the occasion is just another way to spread “inspirational porn.” Devin agreed, saying a lot of World CP Day comes across as cliché or just checking a box. I added my thoughts too.

Zachary gives his input on cerebral palsy awareness.

Personally, I believe there remains no such thing as too much awareness. However, I indicated awareness should possess tangible substance. Otherwise you simply end up with awareness as a buzzword. Devin agreed, hitting what I consider an essential point. “Make it (awareness) something people can do something about.”

What do you think? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you find things like World CP Day helpful?” Reply in the “Comments” section.

Another intriguing topic arose October 9th when I asked participants about their exercise habits.

Jeni and Zachary discuss their exercise habits.

Specifically I wondered how often people exercised. Jeni showed impressive frequency, explaining she exercises five or six days a week, about 90 minutes at a time. Her exercise regimen has led her to experience less spasms. Others merely find living life with cerebral palsy enough of a workout.

Blemi explains why she doesn't exercise.

Blemi explained she never exercises because she lacks the energy. Daily life and working full-time proves her workout.

Besides a physical workout, exercise that mind by remembering to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “Do you find things like World CP Day helpful?”

Respond below! Then double check your calendar. Make sure you write in #CPChatNow, every Wednesday on Twitter starting at 8pm ET. Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary