This past week in #CPChatNow was bouncing as always. Members discussed books they are reading, funny conversations related to disability, and Halloween. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
Zach had a book recommendation for #CPChatNow, True Biz, by Sara Novic.
Next, I shared a conversation I had on the train with a familiar theme for disabled people, people being amazed that disabled people have jobs and live regular lives.
Stephen asked what members did for Halloween.
Finally, Zach and I talked about what we are most excited for and most dreading in November.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What were your Halloween traditions growing up?
Please share your Halloween traditions in the comments and join us at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow! Thanks for reading!
Like trick-or-treaters going door to door Halloween night, various topics came and went Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 during the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Please join me for your weekly recap.
Early in the evening participants discussed Halloween.
Beloved community member Hannah did not let a painful week stop her from popping into the chat and sharing Halloween memories. Such memories included dressing up one year as Tigger, using a red wagon to make Halloween accessible, and being a “voter” for Halloween in 2014.
Continuing the Halloween theme, participants discussed their plans for October 31st this year (2022).
This conversation I initiated by asking if anyone had Halloween plans. My co-host Devin Axtman replied, “Can’t say I do.” Meanwhile I expressed my contemplation to dress up as Bryan Cranston’s Breaking Bad character as a low key costume for work. Between my recently shaved head and goatee, I could easily pull off the character. At least, if I did not wear a face mask at work. Since I do though, the visual would get messed up. My explanation intrigued Devin.
Curious, Devin asked me if people still wore face masks, noting, “Nobody wears them in Texas.”
Veronica responded, saying, “Very few wear them in AZ (Arizona) except doctor offices.”
Chris and I also piped up, stating in our respective areas some still wear face masks.
Additionally, we all weighed in on another subject.
Planning for her own wellbeing, Chris admitted, “I also clearly need a fall alert thing.” The comment segued to us discussing emergency features on phones. Veronica recalled seeing a news story recently about new iPhones accidently having their emergency feature tripped on roller coasters, wondering if she too will set it off. Devin shared that happened to him once, leading him to frantically reach out to his emergency contacts to ensure them he was fine.
What about you? Answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “Have you ever accidently set off the emergency feature on your phone? If so, what happened?” Respond below in the comments.
Afterwards, mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
Participants who joined the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 enjoyed an engaging night of conversation. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
Early in the evening our community bonded over different interests.
My co-host Devin Axtman asked long-time regular and mascot enthusiast Jen, if she saw that Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty appeared at WWE Extreme Rules. Knowing Devin and I like wrestling Jen replied, “That’s what I was gonna show y’all.”
Such an ability to connect over interests outside CP helps reinforce our community’s roots. Although, the conversation did naturally transition to CP-related matters.
Meanwhile, Chris approached the article skeptically. Her skepticism revolving around the headline’s “inspirational porn” feel. This concern left me posing a question.
In the spirit of fun I asked everyone, “What headline would you have given the story?” Devin suggested, “A Team Adds to a Brotherhood.” Then Devin put the pressure on me, pointing out, “You’re the writer Zach.”
For a suggested headline, I recommended, “Teen Brothers Become Unlikely Teammates.” What about you though? Checkout the piece about Pierce and Leo Olsen and then answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What headline would you give the news story about the Olsen brothers?“
Leave your answer in the “Comments.” Afterwards, make sure you set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The chat begins at 8pm ET.
Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was rocking as always. Members discussed things such as their emergency preparedness plans and what they do for relaxation. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I would like to share this great picture of Hannah and some friends. We are thinking of you Hannah!
Next, Zach asked members about their personal emergency preparedness plan, a timely topic given Hurricane Ian. Most members stated they did not have much of a personal emergency preparedness plan. Zach shared a link to a series he previously did for Handicap This on emergency preparedness and disability.
Finally, Chris talked about her recent exploration with progressive muscle relaxation.
Veronica and Chris discussed the difficulties they have had relaxing during medical appointments.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are things you do to relax? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Wednesday after Wednesday Twitter users gather on the platform to partake in the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you about the conversation from the September 14th, 2022 chat, I am co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Various subjects came and went throughout the night September 14th. However, one particular subject seemed quite popular.
Initially, my co-host Devin Axtman raised the heavily discussed topic when he asked participants, “Who is excited for cooler weather?” Devin whimsically added, “I want it to get cool but not cold.” A notion Blemi responded to, saying “Like a perpetual fall and no winter.” Steph also vocalized support for a “perpetual fall.”
Unfortunately, reality dictates fall eventually gives way to winter. The change in seasons led me to ask a question.
Curious, I asked participants, “Do you make changes to your physical self-care depending on the season?” Timmy responded, saying he goes outside more during the warm weather months. In regards to the colder months, multiple people spoke up.
Both Blemi and Steph mentioned staying warm in the winter months. Steph does this by keeping her apartment nice and warm and by wearing warm clothes. Besides staying warm, Blemi noted she takes more vitamins and eats better in the winter. As she stated, “Anything to get me through another Canadian winter.”
Meanwhile, Devin answered he doesn’t alter his physical self-care depending on the season. Although, he admitted, “I should stretch more in the winter.” Let us keep the self-improvement focus. Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What activity could you do to better your life?” Leave your response in the “Comments” section.
After answering, make sure to mark your calendars so you remember to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was bouncing as always. Members discussed acupuncture, going to concerts, and being involved in planning for their IEP. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, Blemi talked about how she does acupuncture to help with pain.
Next, Blemi tweeted about a Hanson concert she went to and the venue was accommodating and allowed her to sit. It is always nice when venues are accommodating!
Next, talk turned to how involved (or not) members were in developing their IEP, Individualized Education Plan.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are some things you do regularly to manage pain?
Thanks for reading and please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Next, Chris shared information about the Cerebral Palsy Research Network and research they are doing about falls and other topics common to CP.
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.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What adaptive activities have you tried?
Thanks for reading and join us tomorrow at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
#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.
Next, Stephen asked members who their best friend is and why.
Finally, Zach and Veronica talked about some ways you know you have CP when.
Let’s Extend-The-Conversation! Tell us some ways you know you have CP when.
Thanks for reading and join us on Twitter at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
#CPChatNow 