Monthly Archives: July 2020

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-22-2020

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Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow brought up interesting topics during the chat Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020. Or so at least I, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, found the topics interesting. You can make your own judgments by reading the weekly recap. All aboard!

Much conversation revolved around a link Amanda shared earlier in the week.

Zachary retweets Amanda's tweet linking to a Buzzfeed article listing adaptive equipment.

Earlier in the week Amanda used our hashtag when tweeting out Elizabeth Lilly’s Buzzfeed article “35 Things People with Limited Mobility Swear By.” I asked if anybody uses items on the list. Blemi answered saying she uses a shelf reacher. Although, Blemi quickly added she uses the shelf reacher more due to her height oppose to her CP.

Furthering the conversation surrounding the Buzzfeed article, I asked participants another question.

#CPChatNow participants discuss items on the Buzzfeed adaptive equipment list which they would be interested in using.

After I finished reading the Buzzfeed list, I asked if there was anything on the list you would think about starting to use. Responding to my own question I stated the garment steamer and pot tipper items intrigued me. Amanda gave the pot tipper a ringing endorsement saying “The pot tipper I love!!!!”

While my co-host Devin Axtman agreed, calling the pot tipper a “genius idea” a different item on the list caught his attention.

Devin shares what piece of adaptive equipment on the Buzzfeed list he may start using.

From the 35 items Lilly mentioned in her Buzzfeed article, the electric can opener caught Devin’s attention. This prompted Karen to sing the item’s praise. Karen noted how the electric can opener creates a smooth edge, ensuring she doesn’t cut herself.

What about you? Read through the Buzzfeed article and answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “Was there anything on the list you would think about starting to use?” Leave your replies in the “Comments” section.

Elsewhere in the July 22nd chat, participants discussed dating and sex.

#CPChatNow participants discuss subjects related to disability dating and sex.

The dating and sex subjects emerged when Seth shared his friend would be speaking to a group of disabled teens about sex. News I found cool because the topic can often go overlooked in the disability community.

Continuing the conversation Seth revealed his friend planned to use Life Goes On as an example. He warned her to expect a lot of blank faces. When I asked Seth what he would recommend instead, Seth named Speechless. Additionally, Karen offered recommendations.

Karen recommends TV shows and movies which depict sex with disabled characters.

Beyond Speechless, Karen named Margarita with a Straw and Crip Camp as projects depicting sex with disabled characters. Feel free to add your own suggestions too. First though, answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Again, the question refers to the Buzzfeed adaptive equipment list and asks “Was there anything on the list you would think about starting to use?”

Answer below in the comments!

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

-Zachary

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#CPChatNow Recap- 7/15/20

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This past week in #CPChatNow was cracking as always. Members discussed various topics like their brags for the day, creating their own podcast, life hacks, and what part of the day they feel at their best.

Zach opened the conversation by asking members what their brag for the day was. He shared that his book is now offered at the library he works at:

zach tweets he spotted his book while working at the library. an image of zach's book on a book shelf between two books.

My brag was advocating to my apartment to finally finish a wheelchair ramp on a sidewalk:

i tweet my brag is advocating to my apartment to finally finish a wheelchair ramp. an image of a wheelchair ramp by a pickup

Travis tweeted about starting his podcast, Off The Crutch.

travis tweeted about starting his podcast, off the crutch. he came up with the name because he uses forearm crutches.

Amanda tweeted a Buzzfeed article with tips for people with limited mobility. This might be helpful for some people with CP.

amanda shared a video from buzzfeed about 35 tips from people with limited mobility

Finally, members discussed what part of the day they felt the best at:

zach asked what part of the day people feel their best at. zach tweets he would've said 7-10 pm in college, but now he said in the morning. i tweeted right after i take a shower, veronica tweeted in the early afternoon.
karen tweeted she feels better at night because she is still sleepy in the morning so she has less balance.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation: What is your favorite part of the day?

the extend the conversation question graphic. a picture of a sunset with a person standing in front of the ocean. extend-the-conversation question in white with what is your favorite part of the day? and the white #cpchatnow logo in the bottom right hand corner

Thank you for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-08-2020

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Various subjects came and went Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you more I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early dialogue from the evening involved participants discussing different mask mandates. Through the conversation we discovered most mandates possess similar disability exemptions. This led to some interesting questions.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how the disability exemption part of mask mandates will be enforced.

After we began discussing the mask mandate exemptions, I asked how many people with disabilities will feel like they will need to prove themselves as disabled. Plus, I questioned how many non-disabled individuals will lie and claim a disability just to get out of wearing a mask.

My co-host Devin Axtman who works in a college’s disability service office, answered the questions. He expects a tough balance between having people get documentation versus people just asking. Meanwhile chat regular Heather expressed doubts a lot of places will ask for documentation.

Enforcing mask mandate exemptions sure does bring about certain complications. Let us continue that discussion. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How would you enforce mask mandate exemptions?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Moving beyond masks, chat regular Seth shared an interesting experience he had July 4th weekend.

Seth shares a Fourth of July story.
Seth and Zachary react to Seth's Fourth of July story.

As Seth explained, at a fireworks party, two kids became intrigued by Seth’s voice. Resulting, Seth ended up playing “Guess What the Gimp is Saying” with the kids. I found Seth’s story super cool, assuming Seth was cool with the game. An assumption Seth confirmed as true. Ultimately by having a sense of humor, Seth transformed a potentially awkward or frustrating situation into a positive moment.

Returning to a more serious tone, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How would you enforce mask mandate exemptions?” Answer below! Then mark your calendar for #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET.

Until then, don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How would you enforce mask mandate exemptions?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 7/1/2020

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#CPChatNow opened up July discussing a wide range of topics. Members discussed Canada Day, critical topics such as their favorite type of M&M’s, and if it was difficult to obey their limits. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to highlight an important conversation The Accessible Stall podcast had about systemic racism and abelism. You can find the episode here.

i tweet about the accessible stall podcast episode on systemic racism

I also wanted to highlight a recent blog post by co-host, Zachary Fennell, about his experience during the Cleveland UCP Race to Empower.

zach tweets about a guest blog post about cleveland UCP"s race to empower

July 1st was Canada Day and Blemi tweeted that it was very different than the normal celebrations due to the COVID pandemic.

blemi tweeted everything is canceled so she was having a low key canada day at home, zach asks about usual activities, blemi tweeted her hometown usually had a parade and rodeo and there are always family get togethers. zach tweets that sounds like fun and a low key day is good sometimes

Next, talk turned to a very important question, what are member’s favorite M&M’s. This was inspired by some delicious Crispy M&M’s I was enjoying.

i ask what people's favorite m&m's were. chris tweeted peanut or nutella.

Finally, members discussed a common struggle for folks with CP, obeying their limits.

zach asks if it is difficult for people to obey their limits. zach tweets his question was inspired by passing on some sub opportunities at work. i tweet i sometimes have trouble with walking long distances.
chris tweets he does not push his physical limitations and it has been a struggle because he used to resent his cp. he also tweets his immune system has never been strong and all 4 sides are affected so he wishes he could be more physically active.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite candy?

the extend-the-conversation graphic. the orange, blue, and green #CPChatNow logo is in the right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question is above the question in green with the question of what is your favorite candy above a picture of M&M's on pretzel sticks. #cpchatnow is in white text behind a green background

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 06-24-2020

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On Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow continued adjusting to life in a COVID19 world. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Allow me to serve as your conductor on this metaphorical train ride known as your weekly recap. All aboard!

As aforementioned, much dialogue from the night related to the COVID19 world we all now live in. For example, Major League Baseball (MLB) announcing their plans for the 2020 season.

#CPChatNow participants discuss a common interest, baseball.

Bonds in our community prove strong, in-part due to commonalities beyond cerebral palsy. My co-host Devin Axtman brought one such commonality up, mentioning baseball. Specifically, MLB’s plan for the 2020 season. Many participants possess their favorite teams. Devin loves the Chicago Cubs. I am a huge Cleveland Indians fan. We learned relative newcomer to the group Chris supports the Indians’ divisional rival Minnesota Twins.

Meanwhile long-time regular Jen roots for the Texas Rangers. Her Rangers fandom showed when I asked a question about customizing face masks.

#CPChatNow participants discuss customizing face masks.

Seeking ideas for custom face masks, I asked #CPChatNow what would everyone put on a custom face mask. Jen replied, saying maybe the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty or the Texas Rangers’ mascot Rangers Captain. Also replying, Devin said our #CPChatNow logo. His comment sparked my creativity.

Taking a moment I went over to Custom Ink and generated a possible #CPChatNow mask. Both Devin and Chris liked what they saw. I still need to look into the logistics more, but stay tuned! #CPChatNow face masks could become available soon.

Would you want a #CPChatNow face mask? If not, what would you put on a custom face mask? Answer that for the week’s extend-the-conversation question!“What would you put on a custom face mask?”

Answer below! Then plan to join us on Twitter, each and every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET. I look forward to tweeting you then. Until then though, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What would you put on a custom face mask?"
Answer below!