For participants in the live cerebral palsy (CP) X chat #CPChatNow, Wednesday evenings mean engaging and thoughtful conversation. The chat provided exactly that Wednesday, June 5th, 2024. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Much chatter from the night revolved around lifelong friendships.

Personally, friendship pre-occupied my mind after I spent time reflecting on the now closed Notre Dame College (NDC). As my college alma mater, NDC holds a special place in my heart. I shared a collage combining photos from my college days and photos taken since, whether at alumni events or races I completed alongside fellow Falcons. In addition to the collage, I asked participants what they consider keys for maintaining friendships.

Veronica replied, “Helping each other out and celebrating everyone’s success.” Continuing, Veronica added, “Being there through the hard times as well.” The latter had remained on display earlier in the evening June 5th.

Both Hannah and I offered support for each other. Hannah joined the chat sore, getting a bunch of fillings earlier in the day. I responded to Hannah, echoing a phrase she has used in the past, “One minute, one hour, one day at a time.”

Meanwhile I admitted to the bittersweet emotions I felt over my college alma mater closing. Hannah actively listened and summarized my sentiments by saying, “‘One of those don’t cry because it’s over(.) Smile because it happened’ scenarios.”

How about you though? For the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Tell us about a time a friend was there for you during a hard time.” Share your story in the comments.

Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on X. Participate enough and you will find yourself building new lifelong friendships. The chats begin at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary