This past week in #CPChatNow was fire as always. Members talked about their recent accomplishments, life insurance with CP, and their plans for the summer. It was evident that members are excited for COVID to be in the rearview mirror. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I would like to recognize some members for their recent accomplishments. Timmy recently passed his qualifying exam to be a PhD candidate:
Jorge also mentioned that he is about to graduate with his Master’s Degree from the University of Virginia:
Jorge also tweeted about the unfortunate differences people with CP face when it comes to life insurance benefits:
Next, members talked about their varied plans for the summer.
Chris Johnson talked about the latest with his podcast, the Purple Knights Podcast, a podcast about Prince:
Finally, Chris tweeted about finishing her Master’s:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your biggest goal for the summer?
Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern time on Twitter at #CPChatNow
Quietly Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 snuck up on participants in the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Please allow me, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, to tell you more. Just keep reading.
As already mentioned, Wednesday evening quietly snuck up on our community.
My co-host Devin Axtman admitted forgetting it was Wednesday. Meanwhile long-time regular Blemi remained distracted by the NHL playoffs. Nevertheless, our chat persevered through the momentary forgetfulness and outside distractions.
Conversation between Devin and I thrived when I asked a question based around a Disability Scoops article I read. The article, “Teen’s Documentary About Life With Disabilities To Screen Worldwide,” highlighted 17-year old Faith Guilbault’s documentary about life with disabilities. Leading me to ask what others would want the audience takeaway to be if they created a documentary about living with CP.
Replying Devin said he wanted to see a documentary focused on people at various stages in their lives. Continuing the conversation I remarked to Devin such a documentary would be comprehensive and a great resource. What about you, though? Keep the dialogue going. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “If you were to create a documentary about living with CP, what would you want the audience takeaway to be?” Respond in the “Comments” section.
Perhaps, your takeaway might involve emphasizing how cerebral palsy impacts people differently. If so, you would relate to further discussion from the night.
The topic surfaced after I watched Blemi’s Youtube video about “inbetween-living.” Feel free to watch for yourself.
Curious, I asked Blemi if certain feedback she received sparked the video. She replied yes. Hoping to counter the negative voices, Devin and I both offered our support. Devin specifically noting CP has “a spectrum of severity.” Sounds like a possible audience takeaway for a documentary to me. Bringing us back to the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “If you were to create a documentary about living with CP, what would you want the audience takeaway to be?”
Answer below! Afterwards mark your calendars to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed routine tasks that are difficult for them with their CP, problematic teachers, and things they are looking forward to doing when the world returns to normal. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, Zach opened up the conversation by asking his Extend-The-Conversation Question from last week.
Zach shared his strategy for adapting to the routine task of carrying hot liquids:
I tweeted about the bane of many people with CP’s existence, buttoning a dress shirt.
Next, Tonia shared a blog post about an ableist teacher praising her parents and not her for her good report card.
Finally, members discussed what they were most looking forward to when the pandemic ends:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. What do you think makes a good teacher good?
Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter. Thanks for reading!
Connections within the #CPChatNow community grew stronger Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Participants in the chat bonded over various cerebral palsy related topics. For example, I joked about how carrying a hot beverage without spilling any should be an Olympic sport.
Carrying hot chocolate from my kitchen into the dining room prompted me to make the Olympic sport quip. Hence why I also specified “hot beverage.” A point relative newcomer to the community Alessandro corrected, noting carrying any beverage without spilling remains a challenge.
Add your input too. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feel like an Olympic sport due to CP?” Actually, in order to avoid simply dwelling on problems, let us make this a two-part question. “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feels like an Olympic sport due to CP? How do you adapt to complete the task?” Reply in the “Comments” section.
As the night’s discussion progressed, other cerebral palsy challenges arose. A topic triggered by a question I asked.
Curious, I asked if others ever imagined what life would be like if they didn’t have CP. Alessandro admitted wondering about this daily. Meanwhile in a response to chat regular Chris, I hypothesized the biggest difference for me would be driving. My response resonating with my co-host Devin Axtman who said he was going to say the same.
Attempting to maintain a positive outlook, I mentioned how everything has positives and negatives. Not driving creates challenges, but I am also able to say not driving has helped me strengthen friendships.
Keep the positivity rolling and remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feels like an Olympic sport due to CP? How do you adapt to complete the task?” Answer below.
Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was cracking as always. Members discussed impacts from COVID vaccinations, strategies for trimming their toenails, and their latest book recommendations. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap!
Veronica and Zach both described the side effects they had experienced from their second COVID vaccination shots. If you’re interested, you can find more information about getting a vaccine appointment here.
People with CP and other disabilities often have to find creative ways to do everyday tasks. Zach asked members how they cut their toenails.
Finally, members talked about the books they were reading and other book recommendations.
#CPChatNow 