Monthly Archives: March 2021

#CPChatNow Recap- “Family Reunion” Focus Chat

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Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed a familial and festive atmosphere Wednesday, March 24th, 2021. The night representing our community’s first “family reunion.” To tell you more I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. All aboard this special recap.

As my co-host Devin Axtman and I hoped, the “family reunion” themed focus chat brought back familiar faces.

Devin happily greets Hannah during the #CPChatNow family reunion.

Beloved community member Hannah joined in on the reunion fun. Such a welcomed presence! After everyone exchanged their hellos, we started into the night’s designated questions.

The list of questions for #CPChatNow's family reunion focus chat.

Answers to the different questions brought up some commonalities. For example, with question two “How has your life changed since you participated in #CPChatNow?”

Long-time chat regular Jen answered the question, saying she has virtually gotten to know more people with CP. I responded, noting virtual connections can lead to real impact. A sentiment Hannah expressed with me in 2019 while recording a Youtube video “The Positives of Social Media.”

Devin further illustrated this fact when answering question three “How has your experience of disability changed (or not) since you started participating?”

#CPChatNow participants discuss how participating in the weekly Twitter chat has changed their experience of disability.

In his answer Devin noted that our community has helped him become more confident in his disability. Other benefits our community has provided members arose when people answered question five, “How have the relationships you developed in #CPChatNow been of a benefit to you?”

#CPChatNow members share how their connections in the group has benefited them.

Both Jen and our “Positivity Princess” Linds responded to the inquiry. Linds saying the chat helps to boost her energy levels. Meanwhile Jen indicated our chat gives her a place to connect with others who can relate with her struggles.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How have the relationships you developed in #CPChatNow been of a benefit to you?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

After you reply, set a reminder to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, The good times begin at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

The week's extend-the-conversation question asks "How have the relationships you developed in #CPChatNow been of a benefit to you?"
Answer below!
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#CPChatNow Recap- 3/17/2021

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This past week in #CPChatNow was happening as always. Members discussed positives that were occurring in their life and how their disability has helped them stand out. We are also proud to announce our Family Reunion Focus Chat! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, we are excited to announce our Family Reunion Focus Chat. Please join us Wednesday (3/24) on Twitter to reconnect (or connect!) with #CPChatNow community members, both longtime and new!

zach tweets announcing the #cpchatnow family reunion for march 24th. there is a graphic announcing the reunion and inviting people too join

Next, I would like to recognize Dick Hoyt’s death. Dick and his son Rick who has CP have inspired many by their participation in marathons and triathlons.

i recognize the death of dick hoyt and share a link to his obituary, there is a picture of him pushing his son rick.
zach tweets dick hoyt's death made him think of ultimate warrior's promo before his death. dick hoyt helped others believe and made their blood pulse through their body.

Zach also asked members about a positive in their week. Tonia shared a blog post she wrote in the past week about 10 things no one tells you about aging with CP. I can definitely agree with number 3!

zach asked what about a positive thing from member's past week's. tonia shares a new blog post about 10 things no one tells you about aging with cp.

Finally, Zach asked members how their disability has helped them standout.

zach asks how member's disabilities have helped them standout and excel. i tweeted it has given me an opportunity to share my story with others and build relationships. zach tweets he can say the same thing and his cp gave him a purpose, more than clocking in and out of a job.
Chris also shared her favorite quote about disability regarding being open to differences and fighting for social justice as the ways she tries to standout.
chris tweets about her favorite quote from an activist and social worker with CP, there is an image of the quote, zach tweets he feels he is a better friend to others because he is more open minded and willing to listen, chris tweets she likes the quote because she feels the memoir is the first time she is reading about herself or her experiences

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: How has your disability helped you excel? Please share your answers in the comments and join us next Wednesday, March 24th for our Family Reunion Focus Chat on Twitter at 8 PM Eastern.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 03-10-2021

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An excited energy buzzed about Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. A task I will pursue the best way I know how, your weekly recap.

The excitement began early in the evening. Sparked by a returning participant.

Long-time chat member Linds returns!

Yes! Royalty entered our presence when our “Positivity Princess” Linds made her return. Quickly Linds started catching up with others.

Linds and Jen catch up, talking about pets and more.

Fellow long-time regular Jen happily greeted Linds. The two discussed Linds’ current living arrangements, plus Linds’ pets. Similar conversation will likely occur Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

#CPChatNow will host their first reunion focus chat on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

As I announced, on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 we will host a reunion focus chat. Mark your calendars! I, along with my co-host Devin Axtman, hope you can make the reunion. The night promises to include friendly dialogue, nostalgic reminiscing, and more.

For now though, let us continue recapping the March 10th chat. Discussion turned to the pandemic and vaccinations.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how vaccinations are going in their respective areas.

Admittedly, I raised the subject asking participants how they feel communication in their respective areas about vaccinations is going. Both Devin and I seemed satisfied with the vaccination progress in our different states. Meanwhile Heather appeared less impressed. Calling the situation in Ontario “a mess.”

What about you and your area? Keep the discussion going by answering as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you feel the communication about vaccinations is going in your state?” Answer below!

Afterwards, double check you marked your calendar for the reunion focus chat Wednesday, March 24th, 2021. The evening aims to rekindle old connections and who knows? Maybe create a few new ones.

#CPChatNow will be having a family reunion focus chat Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

If you cannot make the reunion, no worries. Join us any week that you can. Our chat begins each Wednesday at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 3/03/2021

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This past week in #CPChatNow recap was rambunctious as always. Members discussed spiked cane tips and creatively completing routine tasks. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, members discussed a way to deal with winter, spiked cane tips.

zach tweets about a blog he wrote with tips for getting through winter with cp and mentions he uses spiked cane tips after being recommended them by chris, blemi tweets she used them before she moved to her trip tip so she 2 canes ready in winter, zach tweets he had to replace his cane tip after doing two marathons in in 2018.

I checked in with Zach on the progress on his book about the process of becoming a marathoner.

i ask zach how his book is coming, zach tweeted he has not touched it in the past week, but he is planning on getting to the editing process tomorrow morning

Next, talk turned to the process of completing routine tasks and the frustrations that can sometimes come with asking for help.

i tweet that it is a bit annoying to ask for help with routine things, blemi tweeted asking for help with routine tasks makes her feel like less of a grownup, heather tweeted it is hard when living alone during a pandemic, zach asked if heather has a time she got creative with a routine task

Next, talk turned to getting creative to solve routine tasks in ways that may not be routine.

zach asks heather if she has an example of time she got creative with a routine task, heather tweets she thinks bench vises should be standard in kitchens because they make kitchen tasks doable one handed and that she often uses tools in ways they are not intended, blemi tweets she is often creative

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is an example of when you got creative with tools to complete a routine task?

extend-the-conversation question graphic: #cpchatnow logo in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green with What is an example of where you got creative to complete a routine task? and a graphic of pliers, screwdriver, a wrench, and a hammer with orange handles

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-24-2021

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Conversation during the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 covered many different subjects. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.

A familiar face dropped in the chat and prompted dialogue.

Jorge asks #CPChatNow participants about any exciting or surprising happenings which occurred over the past week.

Jorge Oteiza asked about exciting or surprising developments in participants’ life over the past week. Blemi responded saying she had thundersnow Tuesday night. A weather condition she had never heard about before. Honestly, neither had I. Fitting, given according to Treehugger.com the occurrence where thunder booms during a snowstorm, remains quite rare. Hence thundersnow certainly qualifies as a surprising development.

Meanwhile my answer to Jorge belonged under the excitement category.

Zachary shares an exciting accomplishment from his past week.

As you may or may not know, I am working on another book. In an exciting development, I completed my manuscript. Admittedly, I still possess much editing to do. Nevertheless, completing a draft remains an accomplishment. One which deserves recognition.

Recognizing accomplishment emerged as a topic we discussed further.

#CPChatNow participants discuss recognizing achievements.

The achievement dialogue stemmed from me reminiscing back to my childhood when my physical therapist presented me trophies for PT. An idea which came to her after she heard me express envy for my brothers’ Little League trophies. While cool, Veronica reminded us achievements come in forms beyond physical feats. She did this by sharing that her child recently earned a varsity letter for academic achievement. Pretty cool!

Let us continue spotlighting different achievements via the extend-the-conversation question. Keep the conversation going and answer “What is an accomplishment of yours that you are proud of?” Leave your response in the “Comments.”

Moving on with recapping the February 24th chat, we literally discussed moving. As in maneuvering and walking.

Blemi sparks conversation about walking by mentioning how she hates seeing herself walk on camera.
Devin adds to the conversation about seeing yourself walk.

In-particular we commiserated over how we feel when we see ourselves walk, either on camera or through catching our reflection in a window. I described the sensation as jarring, explaining “In my head I move just like everyone else. Although, I know that’s not the truth.” A sentiment Blemi enthusiastically concurred with, replying “YES! SO MUCH THIS.”

Adding to the chatter, my co-host Devin Axtman said he feels this way too. However, he reminds himself “I put a lot of work into that walk.” You could consider the walk an accomplishment, which brings us back to the extend-the-conversation question for the week. “What is an accomplishment of yours that you are proud of?”

Remember to answer the week's extend-the-conversation question- "What is an accomplishment of yours that you are proud of?"

Tell us in the “Comments” below. Then set yourself a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. Tweet you soon.

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

Zachary