Monthly Archives: February 2020

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-19-2020

Posted on by

On Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed an assorted conversational spread. Keeping to the food analogy, that makes me co-caterer (oppose to co-host) Zachary Fenell. I invite you to come sample the discussion via our weekly recap.

Travis Davis, a returning newcomer to our community, asked a question about self-employment.

In-particular Travis wanted to know if anyone has experience with self-employment. I offered my honest feedback, mentioning I have dabbled in self-employment albeit not quite successfully. As I explained further, not knowing how much to charge for my freelance writing services and lacking the confidence to charge said prices proved my downfall.

Nonetheless downfalls and failure do not need to define us. Through additional back and forth I revealed I still describe myself as an entrepreneur. However, I treat entrepreneurship more like a hobby. This takes pressure off converting sales.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

Elsewhere in the chat, getting a new wheelchair came up.

Casey and Devin talk about the process of getting a new wheelchair.

The topic arose when Casey mentioned she should be getting a new wheelchair soon. My co-host Devin Axtman and Casey began discussing different details involved in the process. Details like getting the prescription written and going through the wheelchair evaluation. All information peaking my interest since I never experienced the process myself. Fueled by my curiosity, I asked a question about getting a new wheelchair.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how often they get new wheelchairs.

Casey, Devin, and chat regular Seth each replied to my question asking how often they get a new wheelchair. Five years appeared the common time frame for getting a new one. In that time frame you could answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question over and over and over! To refresh you, this week’s question asks “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is a lesson you have learned from failure?"
Comment below to answer!

After answering double check your calendar and ensure you have each Wednesday marked for #CPChatNow. Each week the fun starts at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Advertisement

#CPChatNow Recap- 2/12/20

Posted on by

This past week in #CPChatNow was insightful as always. Members discussed things they had done to accommodate their CP, canes, and shoes. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to make a recommendation. Go buy Zachary Fennell’s book, Off Balanced. I bought it and I’m loving it so far:

I tweet about buying Zach's book with a picture of the cover of the book

Next, Zach brought up last week’s Extend-The-Conversation question about accommodating your Cerebral Palsy.

zach asks what people have done to accommodate their cerebral palsy. the extend-the-conversation graphic is below the tweet

Chris tweeted about being selective about her shoes while I shared I moved to using a wheelchair at school in high school.

chris tweets she pays close attention to the shoes she wears with brands like keens and sketchers. they don't wear holes in sole. she also has keen rainboots and uses elastic laces. i tweet about using a wheelchair in high school.

Zach and Chris tweeted about their past use of canes and adventures with them.

zach tweeted that his cane tip was worn out after completing his second marathon. chris asks if he uses a quad tip. zach said he did when recovering from surgery. chris tweets she prefers a quad tip because it stands up by itself. zach tweets a traditional cane can easily get knocked if propped against the wall

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Have you worn a special type of shoe due to your CP?

the extend-the-conversation question graphic. the multicolored #CPChatNow logo is in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green with "Have you worn a special type of shoe due to your CP?' and green chuck taylor high top in the lower left hand corner. there is #cpchatnow in green

Thanks for reading! Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap: 02-05-2020

Posted on by

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 proved an extra exciting night for the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to fill you in on all the excitement I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Time to dive into your weekly recap!

The exhilarating tone started early in the night with participants sharing wonderful news.

Zachary announces his CP memoir Off Balanced is now available in paperback form.

First, I revealed my CP memoir Off Balanced is now available in paperback! Additionally, another long-time chat regular shared some positive news.

Linds shares she has an upcoming audition for This is My Brave.
Linds tells a little more about This is My Brave.

Our own “Positivity Princess” Linds scored an audition for This is My Brave in Iowa City. As she would explain, This is My Brave shares stories about mental illness in order to break stigmas. Both my co-host Devin Axtman and I thought that sounds pretty cool.

Beyond participants’ exciting news, our community rallied together to show support to a fellow participant.

Members in the #CPChatNow community encourage Shira about needing five years to complete a four-year degree.

Shira expressed frustration in needing to drop two classes in order to keep up physically with her college schedule. Heather encouraged her “There’s nothing wrong with doing what you must to accommodate.” How true! To emphasize this, let us make the week’s extend-the-conversation question the following. “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?” Respond in the “Comments” section.

Learning to accommodate your CP helps to make you adaptable. Elsewhere in #CPChatNow February 5th, 2020 we discussed other characteristics CP makes us.

#CPChatNow fill in the blank, answering "Cerebral palsy makes me _____________."

I asked participants to fill in the blank and answer “Cerebral palsy makes me (blank).” Newcomer Travis Davis chimed in, saying CP makes him happy, providing him opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise. Perhaps, like Travis, you will take the opportunity to join #CPChatNow. Our discussion happens each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. If you do not like Twitter, join us through our Facebook fan page and through answering the weekly extend-the-conversation question. As a reminder, this week’s question asks “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?"

Leave your response below!

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 1/29/2020

Posted on by

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed moving, the difficulty of battling through winter, and terrible compliments they have experienced related to their CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, we check in on Linds. She has moved to a new town to start her new job as a paralegal:

Jen asks Linds how her new hometown is. Linds said she is settling in and she hasn't gotten lost in a few days.

Next, members discussed a common nemesis of people with CP, old man winter. Zach asked if members felt more tired during winter:

Zach asked if members get mored tired in winter. I tweeted that I do and I also believe it has something to do with it getting darker earlier. Zach tweets about the darkness sapping his motivation.
Zach reports he has been feeling more tired lately due to an increased work schedule, but also feels he would be bouncing back better if temps were in the 60s.

Finally, talk turned to problematic compliments members had received. Zach tweeted about the “I don’t see you as disabled” stereotype and Jen tweeted about being prayed for once.

Zach asked about worst compliments members had received. Zach tweets about being called "the most non-disabled, disabled person" someone knew. He indicated that emphasizes stereotypes. Jen tweeted she got prayed for and at a movie theater.

Chris also tweeted about some problematic compliments.

Chris tweets her hatred of the I don't see you disabled compliment and states without her CP she would be a different person. She tweets she wonders the impact this has on kids. She also tweets her dislike for the the compliment about her giving people hope for the future.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst compliment you have received related to your CP?

Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin