2020

Posted on December 28, 2020 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow occurred on Festivus, also known as Christmas Eve Eve. Members discussed their grievances about disability, a recent blog post from Tonia, their dream robotic health companion, and more. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to take a moment to recognize #CPChatNow’s 7th anniversary! Thank you to everyone who has participated with us!

zach tweets he realized it is the chat's seventh anniversary earlier this month. there is an image of two clinking champagne glasses with happy anniversary written above the glasses

To mark Festivus, the annual airing of grievances, members shared their grievances about disability:

zach and i discussed our grievances about disability. i tweeted my primary grievance is the amount of time it takes up with longer commutes, more appointments. zach tweeted his grievance of winter making cerebral palsy more challenging

Next, a great blog post Tonia wrote about the frustration of when accessing basic needs is not basic sparked great conversation. I tweeted about my amazement that Pee Math has an actual name. Pee Math is a concept that disabled people in particular calculate how long they can be out before going to the restroom due to access needs and not always accessible bathrooms.

tonia tweets about her latest blog post, i tweeted about pee math and stated i didn't know it was a thing, but i do it when going out in large places, tonia tweeted she didn't know the name for it, but she does it as well

Zach shared his further thoughts on Tonia’s blog and praised her for being vulnerable.

zach tweets the post is emotional and praised tonia's courage, he agreed there is a difference between being there physically and emotionally, zach stated he grew frustrated nobody asked her how to make the kitchen more accessible and that she was blamed for not doing pt, zach asked if she had time limits for using the restroom, tonia tweeted there were not time limits, but they went between classes or risked missing material

Finally, Zach was inspired by the movie Big Hero 6 to ask what members would prefer in a personal robotic healthcare companion.

zach asked members what they would want a personal healthcare companion to assist with after being inspired by the movie big hero 6. there is an image of baymax in a red and blue suit. i tweeted i want my own personal driver/transportation device, chris tweeted she wanted robotic lungs when first diagnosed with asthma, but she would now like a robotic immune system so she could program so she wouldn't be so sick

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What disability related task do you wish could be automatically performed for you?

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-16-2020

Posted on December 23, 2020 by zacharyfenell

Judging by the conversation Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, those who participate in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow had various topics on their mind. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

With the holiday season in full gear, the discussion turned to shopping for gifts.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how they are doing their holiday shopping.

The topic emerged when I asked participants how they are going about their holiday shopping, in-person or online. Overwhelmingly the answer proved online. Both Tonia and my co-host Devin Axtman saying they have shopped exclusively online. Erin meanwhile did sneak out one day to pick up an order at Michael’s and drop by Kirkland’s. Besides that though, she has also stuck to online shopping.

Changing focus, I asked participants what ads show up on their #CPChatNow feeds.

Devin and Zachary share what ads they see in their #CPChatNow feeds.

My curiosity about ads sparked as I refreshed my feed. I would see ads alternating between Robitussin and Lay potato chips. On the other hand, Devin replied, noting he was seeing ads for Logitech. Although, apparently not everyone saw ads.

Some #CPChatNow participants report not seeing any ads in their chat feed.

Jen and Erin responded, saying they see no ads. Further conversation revealed they both use apps for participating in our chat. Erin using TweetDeck on her laptop and Jen joining us via the iPhone Twitter app. Based off their input, I theorized they might not see ads because they use apps.

Help prove or disprove my theory! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads?”

Okay, I know! Technically that is two questions. However, let us not get too hung up on said detail. Just answer below in the “Comments” section.

If you feel like getting caught up in some details, focus on this. Our Twitter chat happens each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Mark your calendars to join us!

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads? — Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 12/9/2020

Posted on December 15, 2020 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was thriving as always. Members discussed moving into new apartments, ideas for a disabled Disney princess, and their favorite toy growing up. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Seth shared some life news that he had recently moved into a new apartment. Seth also shared a bit about the precautions his aides are taking to avoid spreading COVID.

seth shared that he recently moved into a new apartment after his name came up on a list. seth shared his 2 aides rotate and one brings her kids, but they stay in a room

Next, Zach brought up a Change.org petition that called for Disney to develop a disabled princess:

zach shared a change.org petition calling for disney to create a princess with a disability. he thanked jen for pointing out the petition

Zach bringing up the petition led to a conversation about the types of stories people would like to see Disney tell about a disabled princess:

zach tweets he could see a princess with a disability discovering accessible clothing and learning how to overcome ignorant comments like "You're so pretty. It's a shame you're disabled." I tweeted I liked Zach's second comment and he thanked me.

zach tweets he does not feel remarks are meant to be insulting, instead they come from a place of ignorance, i tweeted that i feel it's the cumulative impact of those remarks that is damaging, zach tweeted he agrees that the cumulative impact of those remarks creates a negative perception which is damaging, paul tweets his agreement and that it is sad

Finally, talk turned to a common topic around the holiday season, member’s favorite toys to play with growing up:

zach asked if people had favorite toys to play with, i tweeted a picture of my stuffed monkey Jibbs

Blemi tweeted quite an interesting story about how she played with dolls as a kid!

blemi tweeted she played baby dolls. zach asked if she played mom or babysitter, blemi tweeted she played a single mother stripper. zach tweeted that is quite the backstory with a gif of bray wyatt saying yowie wowie.

Next, Zach and Paul talked about their favorite stuffed animals as a kid:

paul tweets his favorite stuff animal is a teddy bear. zach asks paul if he takes it everywhere and he tweeted he had a stuffed animal he took everywhere growing up. paul tweets he did take it everywhere and kept it for a long time. he tweeted he wanted to pass it to his kids, but his mother left it. zach tweeted his grandma bought him another stuffed animal when he lost it.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite gift you have received? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-02-2020

Posted on December 8, 2020 by zacharyfenell

Just like a Christmas ale or brew, the conversation Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow remained inspired by the holidays. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early conversation revolved around how participants spent their Thanksgiving.

Devin tells #CPChatNow about his socially distant Thanksgiving.

My co-host Devin Axtman and his family had a socially distant Thanksgiving gathering. This included his brother and girlfriend sitting at the kid’s table, wiping down highly touched surfaces, and everyone getting their own food. Meanwhile, other chat participants took different precautions.

Jen talks about how she spent her Thanksgiving.

Long-time chat regular Jen mentioned her family also enjoyed a small gathering. However, Jen chose to keep to herself and eat in her room. A decision her family understood and respected.

Continuing the holiday inspired dialogue, Devin asked if anyone has trouble thinking what they want for Christmas. Interestingly enough, that question led to a conversation regarding sleep and weighted blankets.

Responding to Devin’s initial inquiry, Timmy responded he wanted sleep. As the conversation kept going, Timmy revealed he recently started using a weighted blanket. He went as far as to describe the item as “amazing!”

Overtaken by curiosity, I asked Timmy some questions. For example, what triggered him to try a weighted blanket. He answered, saying he noticed he liked being wrapped up tightly in his non-weighted blanket. Overall, our back and forth might help others contemplating whether to try a weighted blanket make a decision.

Nevertheless, let us refocus on the original question Devin posed. In fact, answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?” Comment below to let us know!

Then if possible for you, plan to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter for #CPChatNow. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversations asks, "Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?" — Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 11/25/2020

Posted on December 1, 2020 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. It was the night before Thanksgiving and things were cooking! Members discussed what they are grateful for in 2020, their favorite holiday movies, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, #CPChatNow member, Mojo, stopped by and shared some insights about being a musician during the pandemic: