Monthly Archives: July 2024

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-17-2024

Posted on by

Those who participated in the weekly cerebral palsy (CP) X chat #CPChatNow July 17th, 2024 enjoyed a friendly discussion. Here to provide some highlights from the evening, I am #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell. Please join me for your weekly recap!

Throughout the years regulars in our community formed bonds by sharing their experiences with cerebral palsy and discovering common interests beyond CP. Both remained apparent during the conversation July 17th, 2024.

As participants in #CPChatNow discuss baseball, conversation turns to an issue a number of people in the CP community face, transportation.

Major League Baseball provided one such interest helpful solidifying our connections. Therefore, I asked our Texas based regulars about any All-Star game festivities in their area. Jen answered, “If there were I didn’t pay attention (it all would’ve been in Arlington which is about an hr away from me).”

Responding, I said, “I know Texas is a big state so one hour away isn’t too far away.” However, I added a disclaimer, “15 minutes can be a long way away if you don’t have the transportation.”

Jen agreed, saying, “True” and commenting on the public transportation in her area. Specifically, Jen noted, “The rail/bus line is mostly confined to Dallas proper.”

What about your area though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How would you describe the public transportation in your area?” Answer in the “Comments” section.

Answer for the extend-the-conversation question, "How would you describe the public transportation in your area?"

Another topic discussed July 17th, 2024 involved celebrities.

#CPChatNow participants talk about their favorite celebrities.

Celebrities came to the conversation’s forefront when I asked the chat, “Do you have a favorite celebrity? If so, who is it?”

My co-host Devin Axtman answered by asking, “Does Charles Barkley count?”

Meanwhile Veronica named “Jonathan Frakes” as her favorite celebrity, recounting, “I’ve seen him a couple times at conventions.” On the other hand, Jen mentioned not having a favorite celebrity, but favorite characters from different shows.

To join in on these fun and friendly conversations, mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on X. The fun begins at 8pm ET. In the meantime, make sure to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How would you describe the public transportation in your area?” Respond below!

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-10-2024

Posted on by

Every Wednesday individuals in the cerebral palsy (CP) community hop on X to participate in the weekly chat #CPChatNow. Communal vibes remained strong Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 as participants shared news and offered one another support. To delve into the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early in the night my co-host Devin Axtman shared some news which provoked different emotions.

Devin shares news he is getting a new wheelchair in August.

Devin posted, “I get my new wheelchair August 2nd. About 4 months after I started the process.” Excited for Devin, Jen responded, “That’s awesome.”

Meanwhile, I expressed frustration by commenting, “About time I guess.” My frustration rooted in thinking getting a new wheelchair should not take so long. Admittedly though, some tasks do take time. Tasks you could refer to as long-term goals. A subject I would bring up that evening.

#CPChatNow participants show a sense of community as they discuss long-term goals.

Curious, I asked the chat, “What is a long-term goal you are currently working towards?” Jen replied in-part, “I guess try to get out of a long dark funk.”

Devin responded to Jen with encouragement, saying, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that goal.” I compounded the support, adding “That is actually a great goal. A good goal focuses on improving yourself and that certainly is a way to improve yourself.”

How about we continue to focus on good goals and keep the conversation going? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is a long-term goal you are currently working towards?”

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What is a long-term goal you are currently working towards?"

Answer below! Afterwards, set a reminder to join our community each and every Wednesday on X. The fun starts at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-03-2024

Posted on by

Every Wednesday people in the cerebral palsy (CP) community gather on X for the weekly chat #CPChatNow. To tell you all about the discussion from Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Come aboard and join me for your weekly recap.

As participants welcomed in the new month, chatter turned to calendar orientated occasions. A holiday like July Fourth, but also more.

#CPChatNow participants discuss July being Disability Pride Month.

That more included Disability Pride Month. Curious, I asked the chat how much they know about Disability Pride Month. My co-host Devin Axtman admitted, “Well, I didn’t know it was Disability Pride Month to start. I know about the (Disability Pride) flag though.”

Meanwhile Veronica shared a Cerebral Palsy Alliance graphic explaining, “Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July as a result of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law on July 26, 1990. It celebrates inclusion and the experiences of all disabled people.”

Delving further into specifics I referenced a post I read from The Arc, “Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month.” Information from the post led me to pose a question to our community.

The #CPChatNow community discusses the 2024 theme for Disability Pride Month, "We want a life like yours."

In-particular I highlighted from The Arc post the 2024 theme for Disability Pride Month, “We want a life like yours.” As The Arc notes, the theme “reflects the disability community’s dreams for life experiences that they are too often denied.” Playing off that, I asked, “What experiences have you been denied due to CP?”

Veronica responded, “I was denied a letter for sports. My youngest got one for academic excellence. I wish my high school had that option.” Sports ended up proving a common theme as both Devin and I mentioned not getting the chance to play sports like we wanted. How about you though? Keep the conversation going and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “What experiences have you been denied due to CP?”

Answer below in the “Comments” section. Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on X. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What experiences have you been denied due to CP?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 6/26/24

Posted on by

Thanks for joining us for the #CPChatNow recap from June 26th, 2024. Members discussed going to pride parades, fall clinics, and what they think when they stumble.

First, Jen and I marked 626 Day, a day commemorating Stitch from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.

jen tweets happy 626 day with a picture of her stitch plush.

Next, Seth checked in to say he had fun going to the Pride parade.

i explain to seth that stitch is also named project 626 and ask how he has been. he tweets ok just busy and the pride parade was fun

Chris also expressed excitement about going to a fall clinic that is going to evaluate her risks for falling and teach her some techniques.

chris tweeted she is excited to go to the fall clinic, zach tweeted it will be interested to see what input she will learn that she hasn't over the years, chris tweeted no one has taught her about falls or done anything supportive. zach tweeted he spent an entire summer of physical therapy focusing on falling after a fall that led to a concussion in first grade.

Finally, talk turned to what self talk members employ when they stumble.

zach asked what self-talk goes through member's minds when they trip, veronica tweeted she usually thinks pick up your feet dumbass but she learned about turf toe when watching football and she realized she's athletic and she didn't know it.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What strategies do you use to not fall?

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

-Devin