On Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow discussed living with CP, emphasizing in-particular the LIVING part. Oppose to keeping the dialogue strictly CP related, members chatted about various subjects. Topics I, #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, will seek to summarize and deliver to you the best way I know how. Your weekly recap!
Recent college graduate and beloved #CPChatNow member Jorge Oteiza expressed wonderment over when he will get to put his newly obtained degree to use.
Others expressed similar sentiments too.
Personally, I mention career wise not really getting use from my degree. Nevertheless I still find the lessons I learned both inside and outside the classroom valuable. Similarly long-time chat regular Blemi said she does not particularly use her degree either, noting “Sociology and Polisci is a far cry from finance.”
Offering an insightful observation, #CPChatNow regular Shira commented “I guess it’s a reminder the path you take is rarely the one you’ll think you’ll take.” Shira herself ventures off to college for the first time this fall. She confided to #CPChatNow worries about maintaining current friendships once college begins. Qualms our community helped to ease.
Long-time community member Hannah reassured Shira. Hannah demonstrated her point by citing a friendship which dates back to preschool. All that leads to the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How far back does your oldest friendship go?”
Answer below in the “Comments.” Then add to your calendar #CPChatNow. Our Twitter chat meets each Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. I hope to tweet you soon.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members talked about various topics like having multiple disabilities, horror movies and CP, and their personal analogy for the CP community. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, two long time members of the #CPChatNow community finally met each other in-person with Hannah Pike and my other co-host, Zachary Fenell, meeting:
Shira asked if having CP made you more likely to have multiple disabilities:
Members chimed in that they had multiple diagnoses with CP and that other symptoms from CP might lead to a diagnosis:
Next, members talked about the impacts from CP and their startle reflex on watching horror movies:
Finally, Zach asked if members had an analogy for the Cerebral Palsy community:
Seth chimed in with his own analogy borrowing from a Lady Gaga song:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What analogy would you use for the CP community? Please share your answers in the comments!
Join us every Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Zachary Fenell and I am the co-host for the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Yet #CPChatNow remains much more than just a Twitter chat. Our participants make up a community. What exactly makes a community, a community though? That question I am able to answer by recapping the Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 chat.
A community disbands isolation, turning seemingly odd quirks into common bonds. Like sneezing and cerebral palsy!
To an able-bodied person, a forthcoming sneeze probably raises one major thought “Better get a Kleenex.” Living with cerebral palsy adds another level to consider. Long-time regular Blemi described sneezing as “a whole body event for me.” I related, sharing I need to brace my lower half before sneezing. Otherwise I might blow myself off balance!
A second aspect to community involves supporting each other, providing concern and encouragement when life’s balance falters. Upon my co-host Devin Axtman literally experiencing this, #CPChatNow proved ready to rise to the occasion.
Devin tweeted he just took a huge fall at a restaurant, but avoided harm. Community member Chris responded, sharing surprise she has not fallen at work yet. Continuing Chris said she began using a cane back in January. Based off her zero falls at work, the cane appears quite helpful.
Meanwhile I asked Devin about the after fall. In my experience people’s reactions can prove more flustering then the actual fall. Devin explained the floor’s weird texture caused his fall to sound extra loud. The loudness left others there to look prior to resuming their own dinners.
Beyond diffusing loneliness and supplying emotional support, community stands a place you may go to ask questions. I took full advantage June 5th, posing a question to our group.
Currently I am working on a blog post, seeking to highlight social media’s positives. Wanting input from others, I asked “How has social media had a positive impact on your life?”
Chris in-part replied she learned a lot about different disabilities and made friends. Should we keep the conversation going?
I agree! Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How has social media had a positive impact on your life?” Leave a comment to respond!
Then experience the #CPChatNow community firsthand, joining the chat every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
Every Wednesday you can count on the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow for quality conversation. Or, at least I believe so. Seeing I am #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, I obviously possess a bias. Allow me to persuade you by providing you your weekly chat recap.
Quality conversation begins with thoughtful people. Those individuals comprise our community’s core. Therefore even during quieter nights #CPChatNow remains enjoyable. Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 proved one such occasion.
Exactly how enjoyable? My co-host Devin Axtman made efforts to multi-task despite his own exciting plans that night.
Devin joined #CPChatNow from Minute Maid Park, where he watched his Chicago Cubs play the Houston Astros. To use a baseball metaphor, Devin stepped up to the plate during the chat and hit a home run. The homer symbolizes the dialogue Devin sparked.
A feel good news story to many received a contentious outlook within our community. Devin retweeted Fox 5 DC’s post reporting about a local Home Depot building a young boy a walker. In Devin’s opinion the media missed the true story. How can the U.S. healthcare system not provide such basic equipment?
Long-time #CPChatNow regular Blemi added her input, pointing out by paying now you can save later. After all through providing treatments and devices you increase the likelihood individuals with disabilities become contributing society members. Meanwhile I highlighted a line found in the Fox 5 DC piece which struck me as odd.
I noted the story Devin shared never flat out said the insurance company would not pay for the walker. Instead the parents remained unsure whether the insurance company would cover the cost. This left me wondering, “Couldn’t you call and ask?”
My question left us contemplating the possibilities. Devin suggested perhaps the family was in the middle of the process. Further thought left me contemplating additional prospects. Maybe the parents tried calling, but kept getting put on hold. Or, they wound up talking to unhelpful representatives. Who knows?!
Rather than continuing to speculate, let us talk what we do know. Our personal experiences! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What have your experiences with insurance companies been?”
Comment below to answer. Then remember to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. Members discussed their support system, issues with transportation companies and graduation, and more. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
It’s graduation season! Members shared their experiences and difficulties with graduation due to accessibility issues. Chris shared her graduation is at a baseball stadium and Blake shared he was able to successfully navigate his ceremony. I shared my difficulties at my ceremony, but also on a happy note some improvements that were made.
Next, members talked about issues with transportation, Uber and Lyft and also paratransit. There have been continuing issues with accessing Uber and Lyft for disabled people. This conversation stemmed from an Uber driving refusing to pick up a wheelchair user and Lyft being in an ADA lawsuit and arguing they are not a transportation company.
Chris shared she had a continuing wait for paratransit today per usual. Zach shared his hesitancy to sign up for paratransit because of the need to see a neurologist who he hasn’t seen in years.
Next, members talked about support systems. Chris shared her disability support system has helped her in numerous ways.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. Let’s talk about support systems. Zach shared in the chat his support system helped him accomplish his goal of being a marathoner. What is the biggest thing your support system has helped you accomplish?
Participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow proved anything but speechless Wednesday, May 15th, 2019. I am #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell here to recap our community’s response to Speechless‘ cancellation. The subject remained the conversation’s main concentration throughout the night.
Devin’s had asked, “What is your favorite memory of Speechless?” Seth recalled the moment JJ met Lee, the character played by guest star Zach Anner. I praised that episode “R-U-N– RUNAWAY,” saying “that episode did wonders to show the importance of role models.” Personally though, my favorite Speechless memory differed.
My favorite Speechless memory goes back to season one and the show calling out the “inspirational porn” perspective. I remembered thinking “They are going for it. Awesome!”
Meanwhile Ajani, a past guest star on the show, said his favorite memory dealt around the episode Ray tried playing basketball to win a girl. Ajani found the pain Ray went through to impress the girl believable. The more everyone talked favorite memories, the more additional memories surfaced.
Seeing Ajani’s name made me think back to the episode he guest starred in, the season two finale “N-O– NOMINEE.” Specifically I loved the sequence involving getting JJ onstage to accept his award. Ajani commented he found that whole scene “like a page out of my life!” He proceeded to share details.
Over the years Ajani found himself attending events at inaccessible venues. To get in Ajani relied on different people to lift him up steps. His story gave me flashbacks to a tale I heard my fellow #CPChatNow co-founders Handicap This! share before. Mike and Tim’s story entailed a multi-floor movie theater and perhaps the quickest elevator ever repaired!
Based off the abovementioned dialogue one can positively say Speechless created empathetic television. This fact raises the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “Share a Speechless scene you related to.” Do so via a comment in the “Comments” section.
Given Speechless‘ empathetic nature, there stands no surprise fans continue to actively try and save Speechless.
One effort to save Speechless involves a change.org petition. If interested, you can sign here. Although ABC already passed on renewing Speechless, Ajani hopes the network will at least continue the series at their sister station, Freeform. Seth liked the idea, saying he wants to see a series about JJ in college on Freeform.
Regardless whether the attempts to resurrect Speechless works, a question sticks out to me.
Curious I asked #CPChatNow if the efforts to revive Speechless go for not, would they consider the show’s run successful? Mainly I am thinking television’s future. Will Speechless influence other networks to feature shows with a prominent character who has a disability or will networks use Speechless‘ ratings as an excuse to dismiss similar shows? Nobody possessed a crystal ball to know for certain. However, participants did claim Speechless as a success.
Ajani deemed the show successful, citing how Speechless wound up garnering a global reach. Paul absolutely considered the show a success, noting how “it was the first of it’s kind.” You might say Speechless holds status in television as a true pioneer! At the least, I said that!
Let us keep the Speechless conversation going at minimum one more week. Remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question, “Share a Speechless scene you related to.” Leave your answers in the comments below!
Then come by Twitter every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET to enjoy the live chat. Follow along with the hashtag “#CPChatNow.” Until then, remember. Do not blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was stimulating as always as members discussed Speechless, kind deeds by friends, and the continued passage of time. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, I would like to highlight Co-Host, Zachary Fenell’s participation in the Cleveland UCP’s Race to Empower. In a cool note, he completed it with his childhood Physical Therapist.
Next, Zach asked members about a time a friend did something nice. Raisa chimed in about a friend helping her at a pub:
Next, we talked about the passage of time and how long people have spent at jobs:
Finally, members talked about the season finale of Speechless:
Unfortunately, Friday brought news Speechless was canceled, but I did get a like on my tweet from Minnie Driver:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite memory of Speechless?
Thanks for reading! Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.
