Monthly Archives: January 2024

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-24-2024

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Those who participated in the live cerebral palsy X (formerly Twitter) chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 found ways to adapt to circumstances and enjoy our community. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Please join me for your weekly recap.

Initially, all seemed like just another Wednesday night discussion.

Veronica and Zachary discuss grief and dealing with loved ones who committed suicide.

Veronica and I discussed the extend-the-conversation question from the previous week’s chat which asked about staying positive while recognizing what sucks about life. I offered advice I learned from my friend James, “Let yourself feel negative emotions for 24 hours. Afterwards, move forward the best you can.”

Responding, Veronica noted, “I think it depends on the situation some negative emotions do not need 24 hours and others may need more. Like grief of losing a loved one will take more than 24 hours.”

The grief example resonated with me as I explained, “February 1st is going to mark 10 years since my friend Alex committed suicide.”

Elsewhere in the chat, others discussed friendship. Although, following said dialogue proved difficult due to technical difficulties.

#CPChatNow participants discover technical difficulties are preventing some posts with the hashtag #CPChatNow from appearing to others.

As Stephen and I talked about Stephen’s friend, Veronica posted, “I’m only seeing Zach’s half of this convo? Are you using the #CPChatNow Stephen?”

I confirmed Stephen had been using the hashtag and speculated, “There might be something going on with X.” Speculation that gained merit as we learned Veronica and I were only seeing each other’s posts in the hashtag thread. Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman only saw posts from Veronica and Stephen.

Despite X’s weird behavior displaying posts in the hashtag thread, we continued with the conversation.

Participants in #CPChatNow discuss what traits make up a good leader.

Seeking to spark chatter, I asked “In your opinion, what traits make up a good leader?” Veronica mentioned “listening skills” while Devin replied, “The ability to know when to lead and when to follow.” What do you think though? Keep the conversation going by answering for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What traits make up a good leader?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

After answering the extend-the-conversation question, make sure to mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on X starting at 8pm ET. Note while the chat starts at 8pm ET, you do not need to show up precisely at 8pm.

Hannah stops in late to say hi to #CPChatNow.

Instead take Hannah’s lead and pop in when possible. Whether that means joining the chat late like Hannah did January 24th, or leaving the chat early #CPChatNow remains a relaxed atmosphere. Come and go as your schedule allows.

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

-Zachary

P.S. Also remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question, “What traits make up a good leader?” Answer below!

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What traits make up a good leader?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-17-2024

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Participants in the live weekly X (formerly Twitter) chat #CPChatNow enjoyed an insightful conversation Wednesday, January 17th, 2024. To dive deeper into those insights, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Interestingly enough, the spark for the dialogue January 17th occurred earlier that week on Friday, January 12th when chat regular Stephen used the hashtag in a post.

Stephen asks about how you overcome cerebral palsy.

In his post Stephen asked how you overcome cerebral palsy. Veronica chimed in, saying, “I don’t like the word overcome. You have CP. It is a part of who you are.” She would go on to advise, “Realize you’d be a different person without it. Take it slow and think of something that makes you happy that you wouldn’t have if you didn’t have cerebral palsy.”

Additionally, I responded, “Like Veronica, Stephen, I don’t think of cerebral palsy as something I overcome. I see CP as something I live with.” A discussion we examined further during the chat January 17th.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how they would describe their relationship with CP.

Raising the subject matter, I asked the chat, “How would you describe your relationship with cerebral palsy? Are you overcoming your CP? Living with your CP? Adapting?”

My co-host Devin Axtman replied, “I would say living with. I don’t think anyone ever completely overcomes a disability.”

Agreeing with Devin I commented, “If anything, we have to more overcome the stigmas and stereotypes related to CP instead of CP itself.” My comment led to conversation on another topic.

Participants in #CPChatNow discuss feeling comfortable in your own skin and toxic positivity.

In responding to my post about overcoming stigmas and stereotypes, Veronica noted, “It does take time to feel comfortable in your own skin.”

Devin also responded, warning against toxic positivity. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) describes toxic positivity as occurring when “encouraging statements are expected to minimize or eliminate painful emotions, creating pressure to be unrealistically optimistic without considering the circumstances of the situation.”

Specifically, Devin stated “I also think toxic positivity is not the greatest. Some things suck.” I would go on to address said “suck.”

Zachary offers his advice on how to handle the "suck" in life.

Concurring with Devin, I stated, “The phrase ‘It’s okay not to be okay’ comes to mind. You just cannot live in the suck. There needs to be a balance between being positive and recognizing what sucks about life.” Help us find that balance by answering for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you balance being positive with recognizing what sucks about life?”

Answer below! Afterwards, set a reminder to join us on X each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "How do you balance being positive with recognizing what sucks about life?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-10-2024

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Community provides members support and such support remained on display Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 for the live cerebral palsy X chat #CPChatNow. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

The aforementioned support came into play after chat regular Stephen admitted to feeling down and asked for suggestions.

Veronica and Zachary offer Stephen suggestions to help lift Stephen's spirits.

Veronica responded, advising Stephen, “think of three things you are grateful for each day.” She would go on to add, “They don’t have to be big. Like I’m thankful I woke up this morning.”

Furthermore I recommended, “to not beat yourself up over the past.” Noting, “Unless you have a time machine, that’s a waste. Instead focus on what you could do in the present and future.” My insights ended up resonating with Veronica.

Zachary and Veronica discuss not beating yourself up over the past.

In-particular, Veronica said she brought this up in a recent #bloganuary post. Within the post Veronica answers the prompt, “What would you do different?” Make sure to read the post to see what Veronica had to say.

First though, add to our conversation here. Keeping a focus on suggestions for when you feel down, answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you cheer yourself up when you feel down?”

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "How do you cheer yourself up when you feel down?"

Reply in the comments below. Who knows? Your answer could help someone through a difficult time. So, please do share.

Afterwards, make plans to join us on X each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET. Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 01-03-2024

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2023 saw many changes for the platform formerly known as Twitter, now going by X. One constant remained though, our live cerebral palsy chat #CPChatNow. While you would not know by looking at our website, we continue to hold #CPChatNow every Wednesday at 8pm ET. Life just left my co-host Devin Axtman and I, Zachary Fenell, pre-occupied, causing us to inadvertently abandon the recaps. No more though! With the New Year comes a renewed resolve to get the weekly recaps back on track. Shall we begin?

To start 2024, our community decided to reflect back on 2023. Admittedly, a direction I guided with a question.

#CPChatNow participants answer the question, "Looking back at 2023, what three words would sum up the year for you?"

Specifically, I asked, “Looking back at 2023, what three words would sum up the year for you?” Veronica answered, saying “Fun, happy, and peaceful.” Personally, I said “active, growth, and memorable.” Devin also answered, revealing one commonality in the word choices he and I selected.

Devin describes his 2023 with the words "change, fun, and growth."

Devin described his 2023 with the words, “change, fun, and growth.” I replied, emphasizing I also said “growth.” In-particular I mentioned seeing relationships with co-workers grow into legit friendships, I myself grow into a better person, and jokingly noted I grew out my hair and wardrobe. But, how about you? Answer for the returning extend-the-conversation question, “Looking back at 2023, what three words would sum up the year for you?”

Engage us and answer in the comments! The whole point behind the extend-the-conversation questions remains creating opportunity for engagement. As Veronica and I would discuss Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 creating content others will engage with stands a challenge.

Zachary and Veronica discuss the challenge of getting people to engage with blog posts and other content.

The topic arose after I asked Veronica about any feedback she received to her blog post recounting her 2023. She noted receiving a few likes, which left me to comment getting a reader to click the “Like” button takes effort. Veronica would go on to tell me about a blog writing challenge WordPress has in January.

Time will tell what we discuss next in 2024! Make sure to join us each and every Wednesday on X for #CPChatNow. The fun starts at 8pm ET. In the meantime, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Looking back at 2023, what three words would sum up the year for you?” Answer below!

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

-Zachary

Answer below, "Looking back at 2023, what three words would sum up the year for you?"