Monthly Archives: August 2022

#CPChatNow Recap- 08-24-2022

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Every Wednesday people gather on Twitter for the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you about the chat from Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Assorted topics came and went during the night. My co-host Devin Axtman raised one such subject.

Participants in #CPChatNow discuss adaptive activities.

Devin asked if anyone has tried any adaptive activities. I noted my marathon experiences required adaptation. For example, arranging an early start/late finish and using my cane. Arrangements I discuss in my latest memoir Slow and Cerebral (available at Amazon).

Sorry for the cheap plug! I could not resist. Returning our focus to the August 24th conversation, Chris expressed interest in trying adaptive activities. She mentioned an organization, Outdoors for All, which could possibly make that happen. Similarly, I named some activities I am interested in trying.

Zachary names some activities he would like to try.

As I recalled a few Wednesdays ago, I am interested in doing some wall climbing. I added August 24th, “another activity that would interest me is an adaptive Ninja Warrior course.” What about you, though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What adaptive activities are you interested in trying?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.

Success in any adaptive activity increases with finding the right coach or mentor. Somebody who could teach you the important ins and outs. The lasting impact a good teacher leaves surfaced while the night continued.

#CPChatNow participants recalls the teachers who have had the greatest impact on them.

Admittedly, I brought up the subject by asking the chat, “What teachers of yours had the greatest impact on you? What subject did they teach?” Stephen credited his fourth grade teacher Chris as the teacher who had the greatest impact on him. Meanwhile, Devin named his sixth grade teacher because of the life lessons he learned. On the other hand our Chris gave the greatest impact honor to her school PT, calling her a, “very influential lady.”

Time for you to keep the conversation going. Remember to answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What adaptive activities are you interested in trying?” Answer below! Afterwards, mark your calendar to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday on Twitter. For questions on how to participate in a Twitter chat, see my video, “How to Participate in a Twitter Chat Using a Computer.”

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What adaptive activities are you interested in trying?"
Respond below.
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#CPChatNow Recap- 8/17

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This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed adaptive waterskiing, exciting research opportunities for CP, and seeing their doctor for medical issues. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I want to share a really cool picture from Blemi recently doing some adaptive waterskiing.

blemi shares a picture of her doing adaptive waterskiing. there is a boat with two people behind the boat.

Next, Chris shared information about the Cerebral Palsy Research Network and research they are doing about falls and other topics common to CP.

chris tweets about a research study the cp research network is doing about falls and other things related to adults and recommends people check it out
zach tweets that the research might not benefit us, but it will create greater understanding of cp and adulthood making aging easier for the next generation

Chris also talks about some medical issues she has been having with her esophagus and discusses the importance of getting things checked out as soon as possible.

chris tweets about tests she has done to find issues with her swallowing. zach tweets that is good information to have and chris tweets as soon as anything feels weird it should be checked out.
zach tweets that cp has kept him having a relationship with his doctor since he is on baclofen and needs regular blood tests

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What adaptive activities have you tried?

extend the conversation question graphic. what adaptive activities have you tried? there is a picture of a blue bowling ball on a ramp in front of a bowling lane

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 8/3/2022

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#CPChatNow brought in August with a lively chat about things such as flying tips, who is their best friend and why, and how “You Know You Have CP When.” This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, Zach asked if members had tips for flying with a disability and I shared some of my favorites.

zach asks about tips for flying with a disability. i tweeted i always check a bag and bring my wheelchair or use one of the airport ones, but most importantly i pay for precheck.

Next, Stephen asked members who their best friend is and why.

stephen shares his best friend megan tidwell means more than word's can say and she's done things for him that he will never forget.
zach tweets his best friend from high school is his friend rob and he interviewed him for his youtube channel. veronica tweets she went to a small school with a class of 8 students once of which was her twin sister, but she is hoping to see friends soon.

veronica tweeted about her twin sister being a built in best friend and her husband is a big support. zach tweets that is the sign of a healthy relationship to call your husband your best friend.

Finally, Zach and Veronica talked about some ways you know you have CP when.

zach asks members to finish the sentence you know you have cp when. veronica tweets you know you have cp when you do everything with one hand. zach tweets you know you have cp when your bad dreams revolve around an escalator.

Let’s Extend-The-Conversation! Tell us some ways you know you have CP when.

extend the conversation graphic with #cpchatnow logo with tell us some ways you know you have CP when and a picture of a stick figure

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-27-2022

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Various subjects came and went Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.

Early in the night I issued an important disclaimer.

Zachary warns #CPChatNow he is recording his participation in the chat that night in order to create a "How to Participate in a Twitter Chat" video for his YouTube channel.

I warned participants I planned to experiment with recording my participation in the chat that night in order to create a YouTube video with step by step instructions on how to participate in Twitter chats. The experiment proved successful as you will see below from my video “How to Participate in a Twitter Chat Using a Computer.”

Regarding topics discussed July 27th, Chris mentioned assistive technology (AT). In-particular Chris talked about using grabbers for assistance in getting dressed. I recalled trying to use grabbers following my surgery aftermath at 14 years old. My comment inadvertently shifted the dialogue’s focus to surgery experiences.

Members in the #CPChatNow community discuss their experiences with different surgeries.

Chris recalled my co-host Devin Axtman also underwent major surgery when younger. Devin did his best to fit his surgical history into one tweet, saying, “I have had about 15 ish surgeries of different levels. The biggest one was where they sawed my femur and tibia in half and put them back together with a plate.”

Besides Devin, Chris and I discussed our histories with surgeries. Nothing too shocking, at least in comparison to what another chat regular had to say.

Blemi shares a horrifying surgery experience she had.

Replying to Devin noting he had multiple heel cord lengthening operations, Blemi shared, “I’ve had it done twice. The second time I was awake and something happened…” Consequently, Blemi couldn’t walk for almost a year.

Interestingly enough, walking arose elsewhere in the chat too.

The #CPChatNow community discusses what things people, especially medical professionals, get wrong about cerebral palsy.

Remembering back to a tweet Blemi posted within the last week, Chris echoed how walking independently should not necessarily be the end goal. Like Chris would go on to say, “I think maybe something about mobility devices or other adaptive equipment. I kind of feel like it’s implied that you’re ‘giving up’ if you use them. When really they’re tools.”

Those comments came from Chris when answering her own question about what misconception or thing do people get wrong about CP, adding a focus on medical professionals since, “that’s where that often comes from.”

Meanwhile Devin answered, “That it (CP) has no impact on aging.” What about you? How would you answer the question? Let us make the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What misconception or thing do people, specifically medical professionals, get wrong about CP?”

Respond in the “Comments” below. Afterwards, mark your calendars to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter starting at 8pm ET. If you need directions on how to participate in a Twitter chat, checkout my tutorial video, “How to Participate in a Twitter Chat Using a Computer.”

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What misconception or thing do people, specifically medical professionals, get wrong about CP?"
Answer below!