#CPChatNow Recap- 04-03-2019

Posted on April 10, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Conversation remained buzzing Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to bring you the highlights the best way I know how. Your weekly recap!

Topics to discuss began arriving before the live chat even began at 8pm ET. Earlier in the week Sue Tonnesen included our hashtag in a tweet seeking podcast recommendations.

#CPChatNow participants offer their podcast recommendations.

#CPChatNow regular Seth recommended the Speechless podcast Zach Anner hosts. Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman highly recommended The Accessible Stall. Another topic which came up prior to Wednesday evening involved accessibility.

#CPChatNow participants discuss accessible travel.

CP and Me asked the question “Accessible transport, how is it for you?” Devin mentioned using an accessible taxi once in Chicago, comparing the experience to seeing a unicorn. Imagery meant to emphasize how difficult finding accessible taxis stands. I suggested an inability to schedule an accessible taxi in advance feeds into the availability problem to which Devin agreed.

Keeping the dialogue flowing into the night, Devin asked a question.

Devin asks #CPChatNow, "What improvements would you make for a Speechless season 4?"

Hypothetically assuming Speechless gets renewed, Devin asked what improvements people would make to the show. Seth expressed interest in seeing more adult themes. For example, have JJ join a frat.

Personally I would enjoy JJ encountering an inconsiderate jerk and needing to learn to find peace with having such jerks out there and being unable to educate them all. Hopefully the opportunity for either Seth or my scenario to play out happens. Stay tuned to the #CPChatNow Facebook fan page. We will surely post updates about whether Speechless receives a renewal.

Now though, let us return to recapping the April 3rd, 2019 #CPChatNow. A trending hashtag from earlier in the day inspired me to ask a question.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow "What would be your don't tell Mom that scenario?"

The aforementioned hashtag “#DontTellMomThat” left me asking participants to share their don’t tell Mom that scenario. Devin said his would be trying to walk on his own before physical therapy after a surgery. Interestingly enough my answer also entailed physical activity.

Zachary shares his #DontTellMomThat story.

I said not to tell Mom I started experimenting with taking the stairs in high school instead of taking the elevator like I was suppose to. What about you? Keep the conversation going by answering for the extend-the-conversation question, “What is your #DontTellMomThat story?”

Answer in the comments below! Then remember to join us on Twitter Wednesdays starting at 8pm ET.

Until next time, remember. Do not blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is your #DontTellMomThat story?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 3/27/2019

Posted on April 2, 2019 by devinaxtman

*SPORTS ANCHOR VOICE* “IT’S TIME FOR YOUR WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST WEEK IN #CPCHATNOW! I’M DEVIN AXTMAN, the #CPChatNow Co-Host, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. PLAY BALL!

First, our other #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell offered a preview of his next video, If Bob Ross had Cerebral Palsy:

Zach teasing his next video, If Bob Ross had Cerebral Palsy

Next, Zach and I discussed the opening day for baseball season and whether our disability impacts our plans at the ballpark:

Zach asked how people's disabilities impact their experience at the ballpark when Devin tweeted he is going to opening day

zach said once he is seated he does not get up and relies on friends to get food. I tweeted this was my same plan.

Continuing down the lineup of chat highlights, talk turned to the sitcom Speechless and member’s thoughts on season 3. Zach and Seth offered their thoughts on a recent episode while I shared one of my recent favorites.

Zach and seth tweeted about their enjoyment of the most recent episode of speechless. i shared I liked when Maya made the board game. zach tweeted he likes when everyone is involved

Zach and I then shared our thoughts on recent direction of the show and what characters we enjoyed watching:

i shared i thought this season was the weakest, but still worth watching. i shared i tune out kenneth and jimmy but enjoy ray and dillon. zach shared jimmy and ray are his favorite characters and he enjoys this season more than the last.

Next, Paul and Zach brought up the fact that JJ is unable to speak on the show while the actor, Micah Fowler, can speak fine.

paul asks why JJ is non-verbal while the actor is verbal. zach said no idea with a chris farley gif

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What improvements would you like in a Speechless season 4?

*SPORTS ANCHOR VOICE* “THANKS FOR WATCHING! PLEASE JOIN US EACH WEDNESDAY AT 8 EASTERN AT #CPChatNow on Twitter! THIS IS DEVIN AXTMAN SIGNING OFF!

#CPChatNow Recap- 3/20/2019

Posted on March 27, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was bumping as always. Members discussed doing art, surprising interests, and the trending hashtag #AbeldsAreWeird. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I hope you will spare me some personal happy news. I was engaged on vacation at Disney World recently. I know this is sappy, but I want to encourage everyone to keep trying. All it takes is finding the right person:

Zach asked me how my vacation was. i replied with magical with a picture of my fiancee showing off her engagement ring. i am in a gray shirt with mickey mouse on it and she is in a white minnie mouse shirt

Next, Zach asked if members had surprising interests. Paul shared an interest in collecting things:

paul said he likes to collect stuff like figurines, wall hangings, records, etc. each room has a different color and vibe

Hannah also made some cool art and decided to share it with members:

Hannah tweeted her artistic side. She created a drawing that said, "Fight in me' with a teal and purple butterfly. there is gray, pink, orange, and yellow.

Finally, members discussed the recent trending #AbeldsAreWeird hashtag. I shared my experience of a comment while waiting for a train.

I tweeted my #abeldsareweird hashtag. i was waiting for a train. A guy responded if he was in a wheelchair, he would kill himself.

A member retweeted Nicole Rodovsky’s tweet about parents shushing their children when they ask questions and not directing their questions to the person using a wheelchair:

nicole rodvosky tweets the worst thing people do is shush their child or pull them away. encourage them to ask them face to face and ask the actual person.

This brings us to our Extend the Conversation part of the recap. What are some weird moments with your disability?

I hope you enjoyed the recap! Please join us for more conversation and community each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 03-13-2019

Posted on March 20, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow discussed various subjects Wednesday, March 13th, 2019. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to provide some highlights via your weekly recap. Enjoy!

To get the conversation started I shared a video I found pretty cool.

Zachary and Seth share videos of people in wheelchairs doing backflips and double backflips.

The video features Katherine Beattie, the first woman to do a backflip in a wheelchair! Watch for yourself.

In response to the video, #CPChatNow regular Seth raised me another 360 degrees by linking to the world’s first double backflip in a wheelchair! Check that out too.

Both Katherine’s backflip and Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham’s double backflip remain impressive. Also looking to impress, long-time #CPChatNow regular Blemi turned to our community seeking ideas.

Zachary and Blemi discuss costume ideas for Blemi and her significant other.

Blemi and her significant other want to dress up for a Comicon type event they plan to attend. So Blemi asked about matching costumes ideas which would allow her to incorporate her cane. I fired up Google, hoping to help. Yet searching “female characters that use canes” proved not fruitful.

However, Blemi noted the costume does not need to be for a female character. Doing a search for “costumes with gold canes” I finally came up with a suggestion, The Riddler for Blemi and Two-Face or another Batman villain for her significant other. The suggestion intrigued them!

Another item which seemed to intrigue Blemi included the different Girl Scout cookies we have in the United States of America. This came up when I asked people about their favorite Girl Scout cookie.

#CPChatNow participants discuss their favorite Girl Scout cookies.

Ayden answered tagalongs. Meanwhile Blemi revealed in Canada they only get three choices: mint, chocolate, and vanilla. Therefore tagalongs and our other options appear rather exotic.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?" — Leave your answer in the “Comments.”

With said new perspective in mind, answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question “What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?”

Answer below! Then remind yourself to join the conversation every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Do not blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-27-2019

Posted on March 5, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Happy March! In the United States this month receives distinction as Cerebral Palsy (Developmental Disabilities) Awareness Month. Prior to the occasion participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow gathered for one last February Twitter chat. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to tell you all about the discussion via your weekly recap!

While still February, our heads remained focus towards cerebral palsy awareness.

Zachary mentions the Faces of Cerebral Palsy Project, headed up by Cerebral Palsy Research Alliance Foundation.

To commemorate CP Awareness Month Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation has started an ongoing curation of photos featuring individuals with CP titled “The Faces of Cerebral Palsy.” Familiar face to the chat Jocelyn tipped me off to the project and I further shared with our community. Fill out the Faces of Cerebral Palsy form to submit your photos and story.

You will notice the form includes a few questions. One in-particular sparked dialogue within our chat February 27th.

The question in question asked “What do you wish people knew about cerebral palsy?” My co-host Devin Axtman replied, saying “that it’s (CP) different in everyone and not tragic. It doesn’t end at 18.”

Meanwhile I explained what gave me trouble in answering, saying in-part “I realized my answer would differ based off who the ‘people’ are?” Nonetheless I eventually settled upon a reply.

Zachary expresses what he wishes people knew about cerebral palsy.

I decided I wished people to know “a lot more is possible when you focus on combating particular symptoms rather than focusing on the general diagnosis.” Alternatively participant Veronica Hosking communicated a different wish.

Veronica and Zachary discuss the visibility of cerebral palsy.

Watching the UCP of Central Arizona’s telethon, Veronica reported a mother called noting the mother never heard about cerebral palsy until her daughter received the diagnosis. This left Veronica wishing more people with CP would talk about the condition. I suggested the issues stands less with people not talking about their CP, but instead the discussion taking place on niche platforms.

Adding to my comment I emphasized the importance behind a show like Speechless airing on a mainstream channel. Veronica and I agreed such representation proves huge!

Another area where disability representation could use a boost includes within the workforce. A fact supported by statistics participant Shira provided.

Shira comments about the lack of representation people with disabilities have within the workforce.

Research for school led Shira to learn only 37% of the disabled population that is of working age have jobs. Devin reasoned the poor numbers come down to attitudes and assumptions. Let us try to debunk these bad attitudes and assumptions using our extend-the-conversation question. Remixing the aforementioned alongside the Faces of Cerebral Palsy question previously recapped, we get the following query.

“What do you wish employers knew about cerebral palsy?”

Leave your reply in the comments section and keep the conversation going! Then mark your calendars to remind yourself to join us on Twitter every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Do not blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What do you wish employers knew about cerebral palsy?" — Reply in the comments!

#CPChatNow Recap- 2-20-2019

Posted on February 26, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always. Members talked about how #DisabledPeopleAreHot, plans for CP Awareness Month, incompetent nurses, and controversy with Walmart and an employee with CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

The hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot swept Twitter the past week. Many #CPChatNow members posted pictures for the hashtag. Here is a newcomer to #CPChatNow, Lionel Menchaca.

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness month. Zach asked if members had plans for the upcoming month. Veronica and Zach discuss upcoming CP awareness plans

Veronica Hosking talked about a phone bank for the local UCP and Zach talked about a team for the Race to Empower which is held in May due to Cleveland winters:

Hannah tweeted about her frustration of being in the hospital and her leg spasms triggering an alarm. A hospital tech asked a truly unbelievably incompetent question:

Hannah tweeted about a tech asking to predict her leg spasms so she doesn't trigger the bed alarm. Blemi and Devin tweeted how nice it would be to predict spasms.

Finally, #CPChatNow shared collective outrage at a change in Walmart policy which may cause a greeter with CP to lose his job:

Hannah passes along a tweet about a Walmart greeter with CP possibly losing his job due to a change in job description. I express disbelief an accommodation cannot be worked out

#CPChatNow members shared our frustrations with employment and attitudes of employees:

Hannah tweets the employment system is rigged. Hosking Poet shares they need to be reminded of EOE laws. Blemi shares she is glad she stopped shopping there and many greeters may be out of jobs.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst thing a healthcare employee has said to you? Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What is the worst thing a healthcare employee has said to you?

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 02-13-2019

Posted on February 19, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Occasionally the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow encounters quieter nights. The February 13th, 2019 chat ended up as one such occasion. Nevertheless there still remained enough to highlight and package into your weekly recap. To do so I, co-host Zachary Fenell, am here.

Like previously mentioned, the evening started off slow.

Seth compares the activity in #CPChatNow to that of Sears.

After awhile #CPChatNow regular Seth joked that the chat felt emptier than a Sears. His comment brought out my co-host Devin Axtman. Devin admitted to thinking the day was Tuesday. Oops!

Someone who I knew would miss the chat included long-time regular Hannah. In fact Hannah asked I share a message from her.

As asked by Hannah, Zachary shares Hannah's regrets for needing to miss the night's chat.

Earlier in the day Hannah underwent surgery. Although she wanted to join the fun, she found herself too exhausted. Extremely understandable, if you ask me.

Therefore while waiting to see who else might stop by, Seth and I used the time to discuss a common interest beyond cerebral palsy.

While waiting for others to join #CPChatNow, Zachary and Seth discuss pro wrestling.

An ability to bond over topics besides cerebral palsy shows a deep connection within our community. For Seth and I we discussed professional wrestling. Major League Baseball (MLB) represents another non-related cerebral palsy common interest multiple people inside our community share.

When the chat began picking up, MLB discussion emerged. However, this time the dialogue held ties to cerebral palsy.

#CPChatNow participants give their thoughts on Major League Baseball renaming the "Disabled List" to "Injured List."

To confess, I brought up the MLB subject. Recent news coverage by ESPN’s Jeff Passan intrigued me. Passan reported the sports juggernaut renaming their “Disabled List,” the “Injured List.” Long-time regular Jen greeted the news without much enthusiasm.

Similarly, I personally never found the phrasing a problem. Yet I also cannot argue against MLB’s reasoning. Passan quoted a MLB memo explaining “The principal concern is that using the term ‘disabled’ for players who are injured supports the misconception that people with disabilities are injured and therefore are not able to participate or compete in sports.”

Devin agreed alongside my thoughts. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you feel about MLB renaming the disabled list, the injured list?” Answer in the “Comments.”

Elsewhere #CPChatNow co-host Jorge Otezia shared a different current news development.

Jorge linked to a press release announcing a merger between the Reaching for the Stars Foundation and The Cerebral Palsy Foundation. You can bet in the coming months we at #CPChatNow will keep you informed regarding the merger and the impact had throughout the cerebral palsy community. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for that.

Prior to going to Facebook to like our page, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “How do you feel about MLB renaming the disabled list, the injured list?”

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How do you feel about MLB renaming the disabled list, the injured list?" Answer by commenting. — Answer in the “Comments.”

Answer below via a comment. Then go like our Facebook page. Finally, mark your calendar and come join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 2-6-2019

Posted on February 12, 2019 by devinaxtman

#CPChatNow included various different topics last Wednesday including: future employability, Valentine’s Day coming up, and even member’s favorite breakfast cereal. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, Shira shared the memory of encountering a Deaf employee at the bowling alley and struggling to communicate with him. She raised an issue many people with disabilities fear, their future employability:

Zach and Shira talking about a memory at a bowling alley and how it relates to fears about future employability

Zach and Blemi chat about Valentine's Day being a forced holiday

Zach brought up Valentine’s Day and members shared various thoughts from extreme indifference to excitement. Blemi and Zach talked about the day sometimes being a forced holiday:

Finally, Zach and Paul talked about their favorite breakfast cereals:

Zach and Paul talk about breakfast cereals. Paul likes Count Chocula and Zach likes Cocco Puffs followed by Fruity Pebbles with a shout out to Trix for the best commercials.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Have you ever had fears related to your employability due to your disability?

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

#CPChatNow Recap: 1-30-2019

Posted on February 5, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow put on full display arguably their greatest virtue, community. At least I would make said argument and I am #CPChatNow co-founder and co-host Zachary Fenell. Seemingly I am not alone in this opinion either. After a rough week, long-time #CPChatNow regular Hannah Pike turned to the chat seeking a little normalcy.

Seeking a sense of normalcy, long-time participant Hannah turns to #CPChatNow.

Participants responded giving Hannah a welcoming reception. In-particular my co-host Devin Axtman asked Hannah if she received the penthouse suite treatment, a reference to last year’s Speechless Thanksgiving episode “C-E– CELEBRITY S-U– SUITE.”

Beyond the usual names, our community also welcomed a new member January 30th.

#CPChatNow participants welcome a newcomer, Sean.

Newcomer Sean decided to accept an invitation from #CPChatNow regular Shira to join the chat’s fun. Immediately Sean engrossed himself into the dialogue, asking participants to share their favorite portrayal of a person with CP in movies or TV. An effective conversation starter!

Besides opening our metaphorical arms to Sean, our community also warmly greeted a returning familiar face.

Familiar face Jorge Oteiza returns to #CPChatNow!

Jorge Oteiza managed to find the time within his busy schedule to drop by and say hi. A schedule that includes job hunting, finishing his last semester at college, and handling graduation thoughts.

New and familiar faces alike enjoyed each other’s company. We celebrated accomplishments.

Ciarán's handwriting skills continue to improve.

Ciarán shared his continual handwriting improvement. Progress Sean called “proof that persistence is key.” Persisting forward in our recap, additionally to toasting each other’s accomplishments, members in #CPChatNow supplied one another encouragement.

Recalling almost falling earlier in the day Shira commented about avoiding falling on her face, saying “Yay, me?” Both Sean and I reassured, yes indeed. Yay you! Sean reasoned getting away without a broken bone or chipped tooth equals a win over gravity.

Similarly I noted these small saves prevent serious harm. Therefore Shira deserves to feel proud. Surely we all experience such moments anyways. As the week’s extend-the-conversation question, share yours! Respond in the comments.

“Share your own ‘yay me’ moment.”