Category Archives: Weekly Recaps

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-16-2020

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Judging by the conversation Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, those who participate in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow had various topics on their mind. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

With the holiday season in full gear, the discussion turned to shopping for gifts.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how they are doing their holiday shopping.

The topic emerged when I asked participants how they are going about their holiday shopping, in-person or online. Overwhelmingly the answer proved online. Both Tonia and my co-host Devin Axtman saying they have shopped exclusively online. Erin meanwhile did sneak out one day to pick up an order at Michael’s and drop by Kirkland’s. Besides that though, she has also stuck to online shopping.

Changing focus, I asked participants what ads show up on their #CPChatNow feeds.

Devin and Zachary share what ads they see in their #CPChatNow feeds.

My curiosity about ads sparked as I refreshed my feed. I would see ads alternating between Robitussin and Lay potato chips. On the other hand, Devin replied, noting he was seeing ads for Logitech. Although, apparently not everyone saw ads.

Some #CPChatNow participants report not seeing any ads in their chat feed.

Jen and Erin responded, saying they see no ads. Further conversation revealed they both use apps for participating in our chat. Erin using TweetDeck on her laptop and Jen joining us via the iPhone Twitter app. Based off their input, I theorized they might not see ads because they use apps.

Help prove or disprove my theory! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads?”

Okay, I know! Technically that is two questions. However, let us not get too hung up on said detail. Just answer below in the “Comments” section.

If you feel like getting caught up in some details, focus on this. Our Twitter chat happens each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Mark your calendars to join us!

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

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "How do you access Twitter? Do you see ads?
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 12/9/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was thriving as always. Members discussed moving into new apartments, ideas for a disabled Disney princess, and their favorite toy growing up. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Seth shared some life news that he had recently moved into a new apartment. Seth also shared a bit about the precautions his aides are taking to avoid spreading COVID.

seth shared that he recently moved into a new apartment after his name came up on a list. seth shared his 2 aides rotate and one brings her kids, but they stay in a room

Next, Zach brought up a Change.org petition that called for Disney to develop a disabled princess:

zach shared a change.org petition calling for disney to create a princess with a disability. he thanked jen for pointing out the petition

Zach bringing up the petition led to a conversation about the types of stories people would like to see Disney tell about a disabled princess:

zach tweets he could see a princess with a disability discovering accessible clothing and learning how to overcome ignorant comments like "You're so pretty. It's a shame you're disabled." I tweeted I liked Zach's second comment and he thanked me.
zach tweets he does not feel remarks are meant to be insulting, instead they come from a place of ignorance, i tweeted that i feel it's the cumulative impact of those remarks that is damaging, zach tweeted he agrees that the cumulative impact of those remarks creates a negative perception which is damaging, paul tweets his agreement and that it is sad

Finally, talk turned to a common topic around the holiday season, member’s favorite toys to play with growing up:

zach asked if people had favorite toys to play with, i tweeted a picture of my stuffed monkey Jibbs

Blemi tweeted quite an interesting story about how she played with dolls as a kid!

blemi tweeted she played baby dolls. zach asked if she played mom or babysitter, blemi tweeted she played a single mother stripper. zach tweeted that is quite the backstory with a gif of bray wyatt saying yowie wowie.

Next, Zach and Paul talked about their favorite stuffed animals as a kid:

paul tweets his favorite stuff animal is a teddy bear. zach asks paul if he takes it everywhere and he tweeted he had a stuffed animal he took everywhere growing up. paul tweets he did take it everywhere and kept it for a long time. he tweeted he wanted to pass it to his kids, but his mother left it. zach tweeted his grandma bought him another stuffed animal when he lost it.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite gift you have received? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

extend-the-conversation-question graphic. multicolored #CPChatNow logo in upper right hand corner. Extend-The-Conversation Question in green, what is your favorite gift you have received? in black text. there is a stack of wrapped presents in the middle with #CPCHATNOW in white on a green background.

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-02-2020

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Just like a Christmas ale or brew, the conversation Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow remained inspired by the holidays. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Early conversation revolved around how participants spent their Thanksgiving.

Devin tells #CPChatNow about his socially distant Thanksgiving.

My co-host Devin Axtman and his family had a socially distant Thanksgiving gathering. This included his brother and girlfriend sitting at the kid’s table, wiping down highly touched surfaces, and everyone getting their own food. Meanwhile, other chat participants took different precautions.

Jen talks about how she spent her Thanksgiving.

Long-time chat regular Jen mentioned her family also enjoyed a small gathering. However, Jen chose to keep to herself and eat in her room. A decision her family understood and respected.

Continuing the holiday inspired dialogue, Devin asked if anyone has trouble thinking what they want for Christmas. Interestingly enough, that question led to a conversation regarding sleep and weighted blankets.

Timmy talks about weighted blankets.

Responding to Devin’s initial inquiry, Timmy responded he wanted sleep. As the conversation kept going, Timmy revealed he recently started using a weighted blanket. He went as far as to describe the item as “amazing!”

Overtaken by curiosity, I asked Timmy some questions. For example, what triggered him to try a weighted blanket. He answered, saying he noticed he liked being wrapped up tightly in his non-weighted blanket. Overall, our back and forth might help others contemplating whether to try a weighted blanket make a decision.

Nevertheless, let us refocus on the original question Devin posed. In fact, answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?” Comment below to let us know!

Then if possible for you, plan to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter for #CPChatNow. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversations asks, "Do you have trouble thinking what you want for the holidays?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 11/25/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. It was the night before Thanksgiving and things were cooking! Members discussed what they are grateful for in 2020, their favorite holiday movies, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, #CPChatNow member, Mojo, stopped by and shared some insights about being a musician during the pandemic:

zach asks what he is most thankful for. mojo tweets family and quiet time. zach tweets he has gained gratitude for clean water, mojo tweets he can take water for granted and supply chain issues had him trying new recipes, zach asks about the year's impact on a do-it-yourself musician
mojo tweets he envies people with extra time for creation and he has made himself available to help people new to recording at home. he is working full time from home and has less time to create

Next, Zach asked about favorite holiday programming people liked to watch:

zach asks if there is favorite holiday programming people like to watch. zach tweets he enjoys the holiday baking championship, devin tweets he watches the rudolph and charlie brown specials, chris tweets he watches national lampoon's christmas vacation, zach tweets he likes the santa clause

Finally, Zach asked members what they are most grateful for in 2020:

zach asks what members are most grateful for and tweets his answer is toilet paper
chris tweets she is most grateful for people and while she doesn't trust people to do the right thing with covid, but she appreciates human interaction and particularly healthcare workers, zach tweets cleaners and healthcare workers deserve recognition, blemi tweets she is grateful for an understanding and stable job, but she is looking forward to christmas break, zach tweets he is grateful for employment even though his hours are being reduced due to the library going to drive thru and curbside service

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are you most grateful for in 2020?

the extend-the-conversation graphic. extend the conversation question in green with multicolored #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner. What are you most grateful for in 2020? in black above an image of a tan pen with cursive writing of "Today I am grateful for" #CPCHATNOW in white text with a green background

Thank you for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 11-18-2020

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Conversation during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 proved as busy as a cook in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Here to stuff you with the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. First, I apologize for the late recap. I guess I am testing the “better late than never” philosophy.

Anyway, the dialogue’s busyness showed within the various subjects discussed. Long-time chat regular Blemi helped to get the chatter going.

Devin and Blemi discuss adjusting to new glasses.

Blemi shared with us she recently received her new glasses. She and my co-host Devin Axtman discussed the challenges involved with adjusting to new glasses. An adjustment especially challenging to Blemi this time around due to her new glasses being quad focals.

Keeping our sights on the glasses topic, I asked participants a question.

Devin and Zachary discuss attitude towards wearing glasses.

Curious, I asked others if wearing glasses ever made them self-conscious. Devin replied no. He theorized his acceptance for wearing glasses could relate to his best friend also wearing them.

Changing focus, discussion moved onto the holiday season.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how their holiday celebrations will be different in 2020.

In-particular I wondered how our current global pandemic would impact people’s holiday traditions. Devin mentioned he would miss seeing his grandparents during the holiday season and he doubted he would do much in-person shopping. Regarding the latter, Blemi expressed similar sentiments.

Due to the global pandemic Blemi does not plan to partake in Boxing Day sales this year.

Usually Blemi and her mother go Boxing Day shopping. Although, this year they plan to stay home. Reasoning the deals are not worth risking their health.

What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “Are there any holiday traditions you will be missing out on this year due to the pandemic?”

Comment below to answer! To engage in the conversation even further, join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Keep the conversation going! Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question "Are there any holiday traditions you will be missing out on this year due to the pandemic?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 11/11/2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was lively as always. Members discussed what they are doing to cope with the continued rise of COVID, their favorite holiday traditions, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, members discussed what they have been doing to handle the continued march of COVID. Zach and Tonia discussed their recent effort towards writing their novels.

zach asks if everyone is staying safe and healthy, tonia tweets she is quarantining like a boss, zach asks if #NaNoWriMo is helping by keeping her focused, tonia tweeted that it is and it is summer in her story.

Members next discussed the new normal that has become our reality with COVID. Talk turned to how masks are now seen as an expected thing that people wear. Dave also tweeted that masks have been an accepted part of everyday life in other countries for a long time.

zach tweeted he is doubtful we will ever return to a covid normal, dave tweeted it will be a different normal, zach tweeted he expects face masks to be just another article of clothing and they will be required like pants, blemi tweets this is how it should be, zach tweets indecent exposure will now include nostrils and mouths

Next, Zach asked if members felt they could have multiple best friends. Jen tweeted she felt people could and Zach tweeted he has best friends from different aspects of his life:

zach asks if members feel they can have multiple best friends, jen tweets she feels that you can, zach tweets he has best friends from different aspects of his life like high school and college

Finally, we discussed our favorite holiday traditions.

i asked what members favorite holiday traditions are. i joked mine is asking blemi why canada doesn't have thanksgiving on thursday so they can get a 4 day weekend. blemi tweeted she loves christmas, being with family, and christmas lights. she tweeted it is also her birthday and that should be a holiday. chris tweeted she gets starbucks holiday drinks and cooks something nice for dinner.

Zach shared a tradition that definitely makes me jealous (and hungry!).

zach tweets his favorite tradition is an italian fish dinner on christmas eve, zach tweeted they have a variety of fish dishes: shrimps, smelts, cod balls, spaghetti and clams, and lobster

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite holiday tradition? Please share your answers in the comments!

extend the conversation question graphic. #CPChatNow logo in the upper right hand corner, extend-the-conversation question in green. what is your favorite holiday tradition? below is an image of a calendar with holiday written in red marker and circled on the 25th.

Please make sure to join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 11-04-2020

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Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed a lively conversation Wednesday, November 4th, 2020. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Sparks igniting the dialogue began before our scheduled 8pm ET start time.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how many hours of sleep they need to function properly.

Earlier in the day chat regular Chris tweeted using the hashtag to inform us she would miss the night’s chat, in-part due to lacking sleep. Timmy responded empathetically, saying he would also be a mess on just two hours of sleep. Quote tweeting Timmy I asked others what is the minimum hours of sleep they need in order to function properly.

My co-host Devin Axtman answered, saying he needs at least six hours of sleep. Other answers varied.

Participants discuss the importance of sleep when you have cerebral palsy.

Karen said she usually needs eight hours of sleep, also mentioning that cerebral palsy causes us to need more sleep compared to able-bodied individuals. A notion which makes sense to me as we with cerebral palsy use more energy when performing ordinary tasks. Three times as much energy actually, according to what Devin has heard in the past.

Keeping the chatter rest related, I brought up a subject helpful for staying rested. Naps!

Zachary and Tonia talk about the importance of napping.

Tonia enthusiastically retweeted my tweet about naps. She proving a big proponent of guilt-free napping, noting rest is productive and especially important these days. What about you? Where do you stand on the napping issue? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you take naps during the day?”

Tell us about your napping rituals down below in the “Comments.” Then do what you need to do to get rest so you remain alert for tonight’s Twitter chat. #CPChatNow happens every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Come join us!

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "Do you take naps during the day?"
Answer below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-21-2020

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Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed a timely conversation Wednesday, October 21st, 2020. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

The dialogue October 21st proved timely in multiple ways. For instance, individuals discussed Halloween.

Tonia and Zachary discuss the movie Hocus Pocus.

Admittedly, I initiated the Halloween chatter. In-part I mentioned recently seeing Hocus Pocus for the first time. This led to Tonia and I sharing our favorite lines from the movie. Plus, segued to further Halloween movie discussion.

#CPChatNow participants share their favorite Halloween movies.

When I asked others in our community to name their favorite Halloween themed movie, long-time chat regular Blemi replied naming Halloweentown and Double Double Toil and Trouble. What about you? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is your favorite Halloween themed movie?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Another occasion participants showed anticipation for begins the day after Halloween.

Tonia and Zachary chat in anticipation for NaNoWriMo.

In the writing community November has the distinction as NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. Throughout the month writers task themselves to write 1,667 words a day. If successful, a writer will end up with a completed novel. Tonia and I both reminisced about partaking in NaNoWriMo previously.

Personally, I in past years commemorated NaNoWriMo by writing in the window at Appletree Books. The “Writer in the Window” program serving as an annual NaNoWriMo tradition for the local bookstore. Although, due to the COVID pandemic such in-person NaNoWriMo events will not take place this year.

COVID actually represents a third way the conversation October 21st proved timely as members talked life in a pandemic.

#CPChatNow participants discuss life in a pandemic,.

Regarding COVID, Blemi and I contemplated why some people remain dismissive of mask laws. Within our conversation Blemi theorized we with disabilities are use to not having much control over our bodies and as result are more accepting to listen to health authorities. A sentiment my co-host Devin Axtman completely agreed with.

Let us not end the recap on such a serious topic though. Rather, I remind you to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “What is your favorite Halloween themed movie?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What is your favorite Halloween themed movie?"

Answer below! Then plan to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-14-2020

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This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. Members discussed writing memoirs, other people addressing their limitations, and their voting plans. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Many members of #CPChatNow have a hobby of writing. Chris shared that he was starting his memoir and Zach shared some tips.

chris tweeted he is struggling with his memoir and bought a book memoir writing for dummies, zach asked what he is struggling with, chris tweeted he is having a hard time including enough details and struggling with vivid memories
zach suggests using things like photos, videos, or music to refresh his memory, or speaking with other relatives,

Next, talk turned to other people asking about your limitations in a helpful way. Zach shared a positive interaction that happened at work:

zach tweeted about subbing at a branch of a library and someone asked if he had any limitations. zach tweeted he liked her asking him directly. i tweeted i would like people treating me as competent, zach tweeted he does see how it could be awkward for the other person because they don't want to offend

Finally, talk turned to a common and important topic lately, making a plan to vote. Members discussed their voting plans and why they were choosing their voting method. You can make your own plan to vote at https://iwillvote.com/. As one of the leaders of disability rights movement, Justin Dart, said, “Vote as if your life depends on it! Because it does!”:

i tweeted and asked about people's voting plan, jen tweeted she did not change her voter registration, chris tweeted he mailed in his ballot, edith miller tweeted she voted yesterday at the county courthouse dropbox
i tweeted i will vote in person by doing the curbside pickup option, zach tweeted he went absentee for convenience in case he picks up extra shifts and can research candidates, i tweet i trusted my vote will be counted more in person and texas makes it hard to vote by mail, zach tweeted issues with mail in voting crossed his mind, but he is trusting the system

Finally, Veronica shared a picture of her mail in ballot. Great job Veronica!:

veronica shared a picture of her mail in ballot, there is an image that says VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, INSTRUCCIONES PARA VOTAR with a sticker of a ballot with glasses, a yellow and black BALLOT hat and I VOTED below the ballot

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your plan for voting?

extend-the-conversation in green above with an orange, blue, and green #CPChatNow logo. what is your plan for voting? in black, a graphic of the word vote with the o being a picture of a wheelchair user in motion

Thanks for reading and be sure to join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-07-2020

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Every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET, our weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow takes place. Yet an extra excitement surrounded the chat Wednesday, October 7th, 2020. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!

Now the extra excitement referenced above sparked from the week proving a big one for cerebral palsy advocacy. The previous day (Tuesday, October 6th) individuals around the world commemorated World CP Day. Appropriate for us given our community’s worldwide reach.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how the COVID pandemic continues to impact civil liberties in Australia.

That worldwide reach including AcquiDis, who calls Australia home. We discussed how the COVID19 pandemic continues to impact Australians’ civil liberties. Just in case you remain fatigued over talking about the pandemic, I will avoid delving into details.

Instead let us refocus on World CP Day. I asked how participants commemorated the occasion.

#CPChatNow participants discuss how they spent World CP Day.

Personally, I posted to social media using the hashtags designated for World CP Day (#WorldCPDay and #CPMakeYourMark). Chris also did the same. Initially he was going to do more, but Eddie Van Halen’s death left him feeling too shocked.

Nonetheless, Chris did play a big role in another cerebral palsy event hosted that week.

Chris talks preparing for his Cerebral Palsy Conference breakout session.

New England’s fifth annual Cerebral Palsy Conference happened virtually Thursday, October 8th and Friday, October 9th. Chris remained on the schedule to give a breakout session for Thursday, October 8th. He shared a bit with us about how he prepared for the presentation.

Did you attend any of the Cerebral Palsy Conference? Do let us know by commenting below. While discussing attendance, my co-host Devin Axtman and I would love to have you attend our weekly Twitter chat. #CPChatNow happens every Wednesday, 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary