Monthly Archives: February 2023

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-22-2023

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It’s #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. This week members discussed heating pads, mattresses, and what they would tell to their younger self.

First, Zach and I talked about a fantastic book we have been reading, True Biz. I highly encourage you to check it out!

zach asks how i'm liking true biz, i respond i like it and i'm halfway through, zach tweets he plans to write a review for his blog and there are some parallels to CP and the book finds a balance between being educational and entertaining.

Next, I asked if members had recommendations for heating pads.

i asked if anyone had recommendations for a heating pad, heather tweets she uses therapearl hot and cold packs on her shoulder joint and she has had botox done today

Also, Hannah asked for recommendations for mattresses.

hannah asks if anyone with CP have recommendations for a good mattress. Heather tweets the firmest one possible with softness impacting her shoulder and hip. She said she uses a Kingsdown rampart. Veronica also prefers a firm mattress and she has a firm tempurpedic.

Finally, talk turned to what members would tell their younger self about CP.

zach asks what members would tell their younger self about CP. Timmy tweets to be unapologetically you because it's your life not theirs
chris tweeted she would say it's ok to be disabled and her disabled body is normal for her and there's nothing wrong with it. she was berated for her spastic arm in the past. zach tweets we are all different in some way so normal is a myth. chris tweeted it took a lot of spending time with disabled people for her to be comfortable in her body. she notes she had to stop herself from yelling at a friend to put his arm down.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are some myths you were told about CP when you were young?

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

-Devin

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#CPChatNow Recap- 02-15-2023

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A casual night hanging with friends accurately describes the vibes emanating from the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, February 15th, 2023. In case you missed the chat, fear not! I, co-host Zachary Fenell, am here to provide you your weekly recap. Make yourself comfortable and let us revisit the fun.

Conversation from the previous week’s chat continued into Wednesday, February 15th.

Participants in #CPChatNow discuss gaining weight as they get older.

In-particular we continued discussing what we missed most about childhood and our teenage years. Timmy answered, “Being able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight.”

Replying to Timmy, I said, “I must be lucky,” sharing how, “I am still at a point where I don’t gain weight.” Even in my mid-30s! Nevertheless, time will tell as Veronica warned, “I didn’t have a problem with gaining weight until I hit 44.”

Like time inevitably does, our night’s chatter progressed. My co-host Devin Axtman played a big part in establishing the casual and friendly atmosphere previously mentioned by asking our community about an interest many of us share.

Devin, Zachary, and Timmy talk baseball.

Devin asked, “Is anyone excited for whatever the sport we call baseball now with the new rules is to start?” I for one voiced my disapproval for the rule changes that have happened to baseball over the last few seasons. Devin agreed with my sentiments. Regarding the upcoming rule changes to shifts, Timmy commented, “Here’s my thoughts about the shift rule. Learn how to hit.”

For any additional commentary on baseball’s new rules, I will refer you to ESPN, Sports Illustrated, or other sports focused outlets. In the meantime, let us return to the fun night with friends that was our February 15th, 2023 chat.

Devin shares an opinion piece John Loeppky wrote for CBC.

Just how you might recommend an article or book to a friend, Devin shared with our community and gave his approval for an opinion piece disabled athlete John Loeppky wrote for CBC. Devin called the piece, “a great article,” but what do you think? Read the post, “OPINION: Let us be boring: Disabled people are more than heroes or objects of your pity,” and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “What stands out most to you about John Loeppky’s CBC article?”

Read John Loeppky's CBC opinion piece and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, "What stands out most to you about John Loeppky's CBC article?"

Answer below! Afterwards, set yourself a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 2/8/2023

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This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, checking in once again for this week’s recap. Members got nostalgic this week talking about what they missed from childhood while contrasting that by discussing what they liked about adulthood. All aboard!

Members opened the week’s chat by discussing what they missed from childhood. Members talked about being carefree, being able to be carried around, and more!

zach asked what members missed most from their childhood/teenage years, i tweeted about being care free and having less responsibility, zach missed simpler times but talked about how that might be due to blissful ignorance, hannah tweeted having both of her parents and being small enough to be carried around.
alessandro answered he misses a back that doesn't hurt, zach tweeted he just turned on the heating pad for his back and his misses being able to bend down without grunting. alessandro added his misses not hearing a crack or pop.
timmy tweets about missing being able to eat whatever he wants without gaining weight

Finally, members discussed what they liked most about adulthood, namely the ability to take chances and money to go do stuff.

zach asks what members like most about adulthood and tweeted he likes not having to get permission to do things the most and used the example of becoming a marathoner, i tweeted having money to go do fun stuff

This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite memory from childhood? Please share your answers in the comments and please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-01-2023

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The Wednesday tradition known as the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow kicked off a new month Wednesday, February 1st, 2023. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Please join me for your weekly recap.

Based off the night’s discussion, I would say those in our community are remaining active.

Veronica is remaining active physically by enjoying app centered scavenger hunts.

For Veronica, her activity proved physical. She shared she walked over three miles in Phoenix the previous weekend. Meanwhile I remained active in a different way.

Zachary shares his latest blog post, "Disability Employment and the Role YOU Play."

My activity involved staying busy with tasks. For instance, publishing my latest blog post, “Disability Employment and the Role YOU Play.” Chat co-host Devin Axtman said he liked my post, while specificly mentioning, “I found the interview section interesting.” Devin also noted, “Although it is illegal to discriminate it(‘s) often hard to prove.” A point he went on to demonstrate.

Devin shares with #CPChatNow a video which demonstrates how discrimination is hard to prove.

To demonstrate, Devin shared a YouTube video from Joey Baer titled, “What would you do? Discriminate Against Deaf Video.” The hidden camera video includes some appalling honesty from individuals who work in recruiting and human resources. Or, at least I find their honesty appalling. Form your own opinion and watch the video for yourself.

What do you think? Let us make this the extend-the-conversation question for the week. Go ahead and answer in the comments, “What did you think of Joey Baer’s ‘What would you do? Discriminate Against Deaf Video’?”

Keeping the recap moving along, additionally our community stayed active by looking to the future.

#CPChatNow participants discuss ideas for new promotional graphics.

Glancing ahead, I asked who would be interested in having their photos included in new #CPChatNow promotional graphics. Material which would appear on our Facebook page banner and our website here. Timmy offered a great suggestion, saying “What really (would) be cool is if we use pictures of us doing what we love to do as a way to break preconceived ideas about cerebral palsy.” Stay tuned for more on that.

In the meantime, set yourself a reminder to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Additionally remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question, “What did you think of Joey Baer’s ‘What would you do? Discriminate Against Deaf Video’?”

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What did you think of Joey Baer's 'What would you do? Discriminate Against Deaf Video'?"

Respond below!

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-25-2023

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Every Wednesday people gather on Twitter to participate in the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Afterwards, my co-host Devin Axtman or I, Zachary Fenell, collect highlights to provide you a weekly recap. Below you will find the recap for the Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 chat. Welcome!

Our chat January 25th, 2023 started on an upbeat note.

Stephen starts the chat on an upbeat note by sharing exciting news.

Stephen, an enthusiastic member in our community, shared he will soon switch his days at the Exceptional Foundation. The change has Stephen excited. Exciting news always remains better when you have someone to share the news with. Or, in our case, a community to share the news with.

On a larger community scale, conversation turned to different issues the overall disability community faces.

Devin asks #CPChatNow about any difficulty they have faced flying with a disability.

One such issue includes air travel. Devin brought up the topic by retweeting Emily Ladau‘s tweet featuring a story VICE News did. Checkout the piece for yourself.

Within Devin’s retweet, he asked if anyone has had difficulty with air travel. Replying to his own question, Devin recalled, “Once my tire got stuck in an airport door and separated from the wheelchair rim. Luckily some passengers helped.” Meanwhile I expressed how connecting flights make me nervous because I worry about missing the connection.

Another topic discussed January 25th, 2023 I raised.

Devin and Zachary discuss accommodations they received in school for fire drills.

Thinking back to my school days, I asked the chat if anyone received advanced notice before a fire drill. Devin answered, “I did, but always wondered how practical it was.” Adding, “In a real one I wouldn’t.” Sentiments I responded to with a resounding, “Exactly!”

Although, I went on to note my IEP team worked to minimize needing to use the stairs during an emergency by keeping my classes on the first floor whenever possible. What about you? Answer for today’s extend-the-conversation question, “In school how did your IEP team plan for potential emergencies, like a fire?” Tell us in the comments!

Afterwards, set yourself a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Answerer for the extend-the-conversation question, "In school how did your IEP team plan for potential emergencies, like a fire?"

Answer below!