Category Archives: Weekly Recaps

#CPChatNow Recap- 06-14-2017

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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 participants who joined #CPChatNow experienced a stroll down memory lane. I am Zachary Fenell, a proud #CPChatNow co-founder and current chat co-host. Fittingly I receive the pleasure to recap the June 14th, 2017 chat. This should feel like writing a #CPChatNow history lesson!

Before delving into our history though, you might notice a certain someone missing from the highlights. Last week my co-host Blake Henry and I announced Devin Axtman‘s move to permanent co-host. He, Blake, and I will all work together to serve our community. Anyhow, Devin to celebrate his new promotion possessed special plans June 14th.

Devin shares he will be absent as he prepares to go to Disney World. Now, I am joking around about the reason for Devin’s visit to Disney World. I know he planned the trip months ago. The timing with his #CPChatNow co-host promotion just proved too tempting. I couldn’t resist the “I’m going to Disney!” joke.

Moving along, the previously mentioned stroll down memory lane’s catalyst came when some new faces emerged.

Christina joins #CPChatNow for the first time.Upon learning Christine Ruiz‘s newbie status, Susanne Kate Jones teased some hazing. Christine’s response indicated she will likely fit right in with our humorous bunch.

After #CPChatNow veteran Susanne Kate Jones teased hazing, newbie Christine Ruiz gives a response indicating she should get along with our community. Thankfully Christine caught onto the comedic tone behind Susanne’s remarks. Another newcomer surfaced a little past our second hour.

CerebralPalsySpeaks stumbles into #CPChatNow, fearing to have missed the chat. Quickly within the 50 minutes left CerebralPalsySpeaks grew intrigued by our community. Enter the question, “So, who started this lovely hashtag?”

CerebralPalsySpeaks asks who started #CPChatNow.Based off participants’ responses, I am glad CerebralPalsySpeaks asked. After all, every party involved in the origins deserves credit.

Susanne credits John W. Quinn for starting #CPChatNow.Rachel credits Zachary for starting #CPChatNow but he corrects he co-founded #CPChatNow along with John W. Quinn and Handicap This.Susanne credited Someone Like Me author John W. Quinn as the #CPChatNow originator. Meanwhile Rachel Folly gave said distinction to me. Both remained partially correct. John and I each explained we together with Handicap This founded the hashtag. I offered up the visual evidence, tweeting out the promotional image we used to promote the very first #CPChatNow.

Long-time #CPChatNow participant Hannah Pike recalls seeing the original promotional graphic I shared while we all discussed #CPChatNow's history.Long-time #CPChatNow regular Hannah Pike remembered seeing the image. She admitted letting shyness keep her away initially. That caused me to joke since the #CPChatNow train design shirt we sold last year extends back to a life experience Hannah once shared with us. The joke surprised Susanne who didn’t know #CPChatNow apparel existed.

In 2016 we at #CPChatNow held two shirt sales using Custom Cat. Proceeds went to Handicap This’ non-profit Keep On Keeping On Foundation. Between the two sales we raised $170 for KOKO. If interested in us relaunching the shirt sale, tell us!

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "How did you learn about #CPChatNow?"Also why not contribute to the #CPChatNow history lesson? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How did you learn about #CPChatNow?” Respond by commenting below!

Until next time.

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 5-24-2017

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This week’s #CPChatNow Twitter chat was a meandering chat that reflected the busy nature of our member’s lives.  There was even a little bit of Español thrown in!  I am #CPChatNow Interim Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be taking you along on this week’s recap.  All aboard!

This week’s chat took on numerous topics, but a well discussed topic was member’s feelings about the impact of therapy in their life.  Rachel shared a funny antidote that doing dishes was therapy for her after Blemi shared she was exhausted from doing dishes:

Rachel states doing the dishes was occupational therapy for her after Blemi suggests she was exhausted from them

#CPChatNow regular, Jessica, also shared why she felt the common belief that Physical Therapy is simply an extension of personal training is misplaced.  She shared this is more the case for adults, while for kids PT is about re-establishing Nuero pathways.

Also, one of #CPChatNow’s founders, John Quinn, stopped by and shared the latest always interesting developments in his life.  Seriously, check out his book, Someone Like Me, it is an outstanding description of his life with CP.

John Quinn shared a copy of his book Someone Like Me with an Academy Award winning actress

In some happy news, our #CPChatNow Co-Host now known as Jorge Oteiza, is back from Spain and enjoying some family time, overalls, and a new tattoo.

Picture of Jorge Orteiza with his grandma in overalls

Also, Jorge shared some positives and experiences from his trip to Spain:

Jorge's positives from Spain: knowing the metric system, friends, and an intact phone after dropping it in the train tracks. Rachel advised not doing that in Chicago

Next, this brings us to the announcement of our focus chat on aging with CP. Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, May 31st at 8 EST.

Zach announcing our focus chat on aging

Finally, I would like to go back to the beginning of our chat for Rachel’s discussion about washing dishes being therapy to our Extend-The-Conversation-Question: What non-traditional forms of therapy have you used?

A picture of waves crashing on the shore with white #CPChatNow logo and the extend-the-question conversation: What non-traditional forms of therapy have you used?

Please join us tomorrow at 8 EST for our focus chat on CP and aging.

Tweet you soon!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 05-17-2017

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Many interesting topics emerged Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Or at least I, co-host Zachary Fenell, found the subjects intriguing. Go ahead and use this recap to draw your own conclusions.

Early on I asked about others’ sleeping habits. Specifically I sought information regarding the positions people sleep in and how many pillows they sleep with.

Co-host Zachary Fenell and participant Blemi discuss the positions they sleep in.Blemi tweets a photo of a Contour pillow that she recommends using between your knees.As I revealed in my back and forth with Blemi, curiosity motivated my question. I wondered if CP played a role in the positions we find comfortable. The various responses helped to provide the data needed to make such an evaluation.

#CPChatNow participants discuss the positions they sleep in at night.Overall laying on your side with legs bent seemed the most popular sleeping position. Around 8:30pm ET our May focus chat announcement transitioned the conversation to a different matter.

Zachary announces on May 31st #CPChatNow will hold a group-led focus chat about aging with cerebral palsy. The announcement sparked early dialogue on the subject.Aging with cerebral palsy proves an in-demand issue. Like the above screenshot shows, participants couldn’t wait until May 31st to start addressing multiple points! We hope you will mark the “Aging with Cerebral Palsy” focus chat in your calendar and join us Wednesday, May 31st.

Concentrating back on our May 17th chat, friendly chatter kept the night progressing. This entailed individuals’ to-read lists. Mentioning a cerebral palsy memoir on my own to-read list caused the dialogue to evolve.

Interim #CPChatNow co-host Devin Axtman explains why he would not write a cerebral palsy memoir.Interim co-host Devin Axtman noted he considers his life “pretty typical” and not really memoir worthy. Other participants expressed similar sentiments. Going a step further, Devin critiqued the disability stories currently out there.

Devin critiques disability stories, referring to a lot of them as repetitive. Devin’s thought that disability stories can get repetitive spurred disagreement with #CPChatNow regular Rachel Folly. She supported her opinion with cerebral palsy’s individualistic nature. Devin further explained his critique, detailing what he deems the same story arch. What do you think? Let us know by answering for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you find disability stories repetitive? Why or why not?”

Leave your reply via a comment in the “Comments” section. Perhaps we will even revisit the question during our May Google Hangout. As Devin reminded us, the video chat takes place on Thursday, May 25th, 2017.

Co-host Devin Axtman reminds #CPChatNow that our May Google Hangout will be Thursday, May 25th.Towards the chat’s end a younger participant Kate initiated discussion asking others about how participants’ parents handled the cerebral palsy diagnosis. Replies demonstrated varying approaches taken.

#CPChatNow participants share how their parents handled the cerebral palsy diagnosis.This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "Do you find disability stories repetitive? Why or why not?"Thank you all for reading and your interest in #CPChatNow. Hopefully you can make tonight’s chat, beginning as usual at 8pm ET. If you cannot participate this week though, please try participating next week on Wednesday, May 31st for our “Aging with Cerebral Palsy” focus chat. Until later remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“Do you find disability stories repetitive? Why or why not?”

Comment below to respond!

Tweet you soon,

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 5-10-2017

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This week’s #CPChatNow Twitter chat was a ride ranging conversation on current events in community member’s lives and topics unique to the disability community.  This is your Interim Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be taking you on this week’s recap journey.

#CPChatNow regular, Dave Smith, started the conversation by posting a video about the Alinker, a walk-assisted device.  Members unanimously agreed it would be beneficial and preferable to using a walker:

#CPChatNow members Kate and Jocelyn returned and debated the proper pronunciation of Cerebral Palsy along with Rachel:

Kate also sparked much engaging conversation about having mild CP and not feeling like she fits in within the disability community:

Members also spoke of their fondness and desire to learn American Sign Language (ASL):

Finally, #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell, ended the chat on a happy note by announcing that he had recently taken a part time job at the local library:

Also, please join us on MAY 25th for our monthly Google Hangout (tip of the cap to Zach for backing up my errant throw):

Finally, this brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: Where are some areas the disability community can improve its inclusion of others?  Please share your answer in the comments and be sure to join us on Twitter every Wednesday at 8 Eastern Time. 

 

#CPChatNow Recap- 05-03-2017

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Various topics emerged Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 amidst the two-hour live cerebral palsy Twitter chat we call #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell and I am here to do but what else?! Recap the previous week’s chat. So get ready to chug along.

For another week ABC’s sitcom Speechless proved a hot topic! That included discussion about the previous week’s episode, “R-U– RUNAWAY.”

#CPChatNow participants discuss Speechless episode 20 (season 1) "R-U-- RUNAWAY."Like I mentioned, the episode inspired my at the time in-progress blog post. Anyone interested can read, “Needing Role Models with Cerebral Palsy.” Warning to anyone yet to watch the episode “R-U– RUNAWAY,” my post contains minimal spoilers.

Regarding spoilers, we at #CPChatNow possess an informal anti-spoiling policy. We welcome participants to multi-task, watch Speechless and live tweet us. However we insist on leaving any detailed Speechless conversation outside the chat.

Zachary puts on his co-host hat and reminds participants to not discuss Speechless in detail.Like I explained on May 3rd, this policy intends to protect participants who live in areas where the show still hasn’t aired. After all, people in different time zones and different countries make up our community! Avoiding spoilers demonstrates thoughtfulness. I personally like to think about #CPChatNow as a thoughtful community.

Regular Rachel Folly showed mindfulness, bringing up an annoyance she recently came across.

Rachel raises a complaint about a video title.Admittedly Rachel’s tweet confused me. Something you can tell by my replies in the above screen shot. Turns out Rachel and I watched different adaptions to the same video. Versions uploaded by separate users. Youtube user bagar5 uploaded the version Rachel linked to.

Meanwhile I previously viewed the video uploaded by the official Underarmour channel.

Confusion aside, Rachel raised a valuable point with the version she linked to. The term “boy” appears questionable given Johnny Agar’s age. What do you think? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Does the ‘Boy’ reference in the user uploaded Underarmour commercial video bother you? Why or why not?” Respond in the “Comments” section.

While questions surfaced about the video’s title, reaction to the actual content seemed overwhelmingly positive.

Devin and Rachel both say flattering things about the Underarmour ad.Interim co-host Devin Axtman displayed great enthusiasm for the ad. Rachel echoed the positivity, saying she found truth in the video’s message. Long-time regular Jen continued the topic merry-go-round, with some assistance from Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Rocket.

#CPChatNow participants bond over common interests, not just cerebral palsy!As you see from the preceding screenshot, the Guardians of the Galaxy talk soon led to Jen and relatively new regular Dave Smith to bond over collecting POPs. Common interests outside cerebral palsy albeit collecting POPs or baseball, hockey, wrestling, music, etcetera helps us form deeper relationships within our community.

Answer this week's extend-the-conversation question- Does the "Boy" reference in the title of the user uploaded Unerarmour commercial video bother you? Why or why not?Perhaps you will contemplate joining us! Our Twitter chat happens every Wednesday at 8pm ET. Perchance you do not use Twitter, you can always contribute by answering the recap’s extend-the-conversation question. Remember this week’s question asks the following.

“Does the ‘Boy’ reference in the user uploaded Underarmour commercial video bother you? Why or why not?”

Answer by commenting below! Until next time.

-Zachary

 

#CPChatNow Recap- 04-19-2017

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Every week the Twitter chat #CPChatNow thrives thanks to our great community. A fact our April 19th, 2017 Twitter chat exemplified! I am proud co-founder and co-host Zachary Fenell here to recap our latest chat.

Interim co-host Devin Axtman suggested we start the night by sharing peaks and pits from the last seven days. An idea in past weeks offered up by participant Amanda. Hamda’s peak raised the night’s first communal mention.

Many CPChatNow participants keep in touch with each other throughout the week.Participants keeping in touch throughout the week demonstrates the strength in connections made within our community. Something I wish to emphasize by creating new #CPChatNow promotional graphics. In past months I asked participants to submit photos with them in their #CPChatNow shirts for such graphics. I asked again April 19th, this time also sharing a taste to what said images might look like.

Zachary Fenell shares a prototype for a new website banner while requesting photos to include in said banner. One signature trait to a true community involves seeing an idea shared grow and evolve. Long-time participant Hannah Pike set said evolution in motion with her photo submission.

Hannah submits a photo with fellow #CPChatNow participant Alena Brand for inclusion in CPChatNow's new promotional graphics.Hannah thinks her photo with Alena would be a good fit for the promotional images because the picture shows community.Additionally opening up submissions beyond pictures featuring CPChatNow shirts seems only fair to those without CPChatNow shirts. If you want your face incorporated into CPChatNow promotional material, submit a photograph! You can send our way via a direct message through our Facebook fan page.

Another aspect to community emerged while a couple participants made small talk. Shira discussed a school project which peaked Blemi’s interest. Soon their dialogue blossomed in more meaningful ways.

Knowing Blemi has made a career with numbers despite struggling at math brought Shira some hope.Hope, enhanced ideas, and friendship all represent community characteristics. What characteristics do you value in a community? Tell us! Answer the aforementioned for the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

This week the CPChatNow extend-the-conversation question asks "What characteristics do you value in a community?"

In the “Comments” section share what characteristics you value in a community.

Leave your reply in the “Comments” section. Then join us tonight on Twitter at 8pm ET. Susanne Kate Jones returns to our community to lead us in a focus chat titled “A Serious Chat About Comedy.” You can expect an insightful discussion sprinkled with laughs throughout. Talk and laugh with you later.

Sincerely,

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 4-12-2017

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A member getting married, LEGO’s newest efforts at highlighting disability, and actions by others to increase member’s confidence were all topics on last week’s #CPChatNow Twitter chat.  I am Interim Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be taking you along on this week’s recap.  The only issue is, there were too many good Tweets to include!

#CPChatNow opened with a joyous start as regular, Jen Conventry, announced she had recently been married:

CPChatNow regular announcing that her peak of the week was her recent marriage

Talk next turned to LEGO’s efforts at highlighting disability issues and accessibility.  It is great to see more mainstream companies highlighting disability in a positive way.

Devin highlighting LEGO's latest wheelchair accessible bus

Dave pointed out that LEGO has also released a wheelchair ramp to go along with their characters who use wheelchairs. Bravo, LEGO!

Dave Smith posting about wheelchair ramp from LEGO Re: Maysoon Zayid

Finally, #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell, posted a question that sparked conversation.  Zach asked whether people get offended if their CP prevents them from being considered to do something by others.

Zach asking if others do not get considered for things because of their CP and using the example of being a paul bearer

#CPChatNow regular, Maysoon Zayid, tweeted this has happened numerous times throughout her TV career.

Maysoon tweeting her entire UNT career

Zach shared a powerful story of his cousin allowing him to hold a baby and how that totally awakened his confidence.

Zach holding his cousin's baby that led to him turning around his confidence

This leads us to our Extend-The-Question conversation, What actions have others taken to increase your confidence with your CP?  Please share your answers in the comments! Extend the conversation question What actions have others taken to increase your confidence with your CP?

Finally, don’t forget our next Google Hangout, April 20th!

Google Hangout announcement April 20th 7 PMHave a great week, #CPChatNow fam!

Devin