This past week in #CPChatNow was a fun one! Members discussed outdoor activities, what they want to do to make 2021 a success, and the fact #CPChatNow is turning 8 soon! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, Blemi shared some recent exciting outdoor activities she and her fiancé have been doing lately. First, they recently went kayaking. She tweeted a video about her experience.
Also, Blemi tweeted about a new camper that she is buying with her fiancé:
Zach asks members what they want to do to make the year 2021 a success:
Zach also asks Blemi why she feels 2021 is more challenging than 2020:
Finally, Zach points out that #CPChatNow is about to turn 8 in December:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Please share your answers in the comment and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Every Wednesday participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow gather to enjoy comradery and conversation. Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 proved no different. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
In addition to a night filled with engaging discussion, September 1st marked the start of an annual challenge.
That challenge, Steptember, arose in the discussion September 1st thanks to chat regular Veronica. Steptember challenges individuals to move 10,000 steps a day throughout September. All a way to help fundraise for life-changing scientific advances for the CP community. To learn more, visit steptember.us.
Veronica wondered if anyone planned to participate in Steptember 2021. I quote tweeted her and noted another participant Timmy approached me about starting a #CPChatNow Steptember team. I declined the idea this year because I am still healing from my groin strain. However, next year I say game on!
Needing to put off a #CPChatNow Steptember team until 2022 due to injury could cause “Life isn’t fair” thoughts to form. Another popular topic from our September 1st Twitter chat.
Inspired by long-time chat regular Blemi‘s Youtube video “Having Sad Days with Cerebral Palsy,” I asked participants “How often do you find yourself thinking ‘Life isn’t fair’ and how do you cope with the feeling?” Blemi and I discovered similarities in our answers. We both had the thought more when younger, but specific frustrations can still trigger sad days. Learning to come to terms with CP has helped a lot to cope with the down days.
What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How often do you find yourself thinking ‘Life isn’t fair’ and how do you cope with the feeling?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.
Afterwards, mark your calendars to join us at #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was eventful as always. Members discussed falls, reactions to their falls and accessorizing their mobility devices. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, talked turned to a familiar topic for those with Cerebral Palsy, falls. Zach discussed one of his recent falls with Blemi that led to a groin strain:
Next, members discussed the strangest reactions to falls they have experienced:
Finally, talk turned to another common topic for those with CP, mobility aids and making them fashionable.
Blemi and Zach tweet about how it’s hard to find cute devices and they wish there was more availability:
This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite mobility aid you have ever had? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Wednesday continues to remain a weekly highlight for participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. A fact I, #CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell, wanted to emphasize because circumstances prevented me from publishing recaps the last two weeks. Circumstances I will detail today.
As our regular readers know, my co-host Devin Axtman and I alternate weeks compiling the weekly recaps. Said schedule left the Wednesday, August 4th recap my responsibility. Unfortunately, on Thursday, August 5th I fell and hurt myself. Aggravating my groin to the point I could not take a step forward. At least, not until two days later. Even then, I needed a walker to make those forward steps.
Nonetheless, I thought I could get the August 4th recap done prior to the August 11th chat. Reality showed me otherwise. I accepted defeat and informed Devin I would instead complete the August 11th recap. However, upon getting ready to compile the night’s highlights, I encountered a problem.
To gather recap highlights I scroll back to the beginning of that date’s conversation and then scroll up. Seeking out highlights which feature main subjects discussed, highlight our communal atmosphere, and/or stimulate new ways to think about a topic. In scrolling down to get to the beginning of our August 11th Twitter chat the tweets stopped loading. I attempted to troubleshoot the issue multiple ways. Using a different web browser. Signing out from my account and signing back in. Walking away for a few hours and return hoping Twitter fixed the technical difficulties. Nothing worked.
Due to the above, I could not compile a recap for our August 11th Twitter chat. Again though, I wanted to post this update to emphasize Wednesdays still remain a weekly highlight for those in our community. Hopefully the technical difficulties will resolve and recaps can return next week. In the meantime please consider joining us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was lit as always. Members discussed aging and CP, perceptions of disabled people, and books by disabled authors. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
Chris started the conversation by sharing research that showed people with CP are more likely to break bones as they age with people in their 50s having the bone strength of people in their 80s. This led to conversation about what we can do as we age to help bone health.
Next, Veronica tweeted about her son interacting with a disabled person who other people at work did not respect:
Finally, talk turned to disabled authors and books members liked to read. First, Karen and Zach discussed Zach’s in progress book.
Communal vibes strongly emanated from the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, July 21st, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Yearning for the community our Twitter chat provides remained present prior to Wednesday.
On Tuesday, July 20th long-time chat regular Blemi took to Twitter, wishing the day was Wednesday. All so she could work through the lots of stuff on her mind. After a 24-hour wait, Blemi had her chance to seek support from fellow chat participants.
In accordance with our recap rules to not highlight tweets featuring sensitive life events, I will avoid delving further into that conversation. Although, I can say more then Blemi received support from our community July 21st.
Alessandro possessed some exciting news. He officially got a new job! Others in the chat offered congratulatory messages to celebrate.
Elsewhere in the night’s dialogue, talk turned to the spasticity involved in spastic cerebral palsy.
In-particular I asked participants how they would describe their spasticity to others. The responses varied. Veronica noted not really getting asked about her spasticity. Meanwhile Blemi replied “I tell them my neurons are always firing making me stiff.” She admitted not knowing whether that stands 100% accurate, but she finds the answer easy to explain.
Additionally, Stacey supplied an easy to understand reply saying if you put anything in the crook of her arm, you will need the jaws of life to get it out. Opposingly, Lorna stated she does not explain it. It’s just that if she thinks too much about moving she can’t move. Lorna also commented she does tell people not to use the word “spaz.”
Regarding managing spasticity, Blemi mentioned a difference maker she recently began using.
By using a magnesium supplement, Blemi has felt a difference in her stiffness. What about you, though? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you manage your spasticity?” Respond in the “Comments” section.
Please note, what works for one person might not work for another. So if somebody’s answer intrigues you, discuss as needed with the appropriate medical professionals. Let them know you found the suggestion thanks to us at #CPChatNow. We meet each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. Make sure to mark your calendars.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed seeing themselves walking, worries about falling, and what Disability Pride Month means to them. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, my wedding and me walking up the aisle sparked conversation about walking. I was surprised when I saw myself walking on my wedding highlight video. Members seemed to share the same sentiments.
Next, members discussed worries about falling. Members specifically discussed concerns of falling at weddings and big events.
Finally, members marked July being Disability Pride Month, by explaining what disability pride means to them.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is something that routinely surprises you about your disability? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday on Twitter at #CPChatNow!
Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow gathered for a lively conversation Wednesday, July 7th, 2021. Here to tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your recap.
Various topics came and went throughout the evening July 7th. Early in the night dialogue revolved around the upcoming Paralympics.
Admittedly, I raised the Paralympic topic when tweeting a BBC News story, “Tokyo Paralympics: Most of Channel 4’s TV hosts will be disabled.” In my tweet, I asked what others thought about Channel 4’s pledge to have more than 70% of its Paralympic presenters be disabled. My co-host Devin Axtman responded, calling the move “much needed.” I agreed, saying involving disabled voices should help prevent an ablest narrative.
Your turn! What do you think? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What do you think of Channel 4’s pledge to have more than 70% of its Paralympic presenters be disabled?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.
Continuing on, chat regular Chris and I found ourselves discussing athletes who had to persevere through much adversity. A subject which led me to pose another question.
I asked participants “When facing tough times, what quote or advice do you tell yourself in order to keep persevering?” Long-time regular Blemi responded “Never give up on your dreams,” a quote from Rick Hansen Man in Motion. Meanwhile Alessandro replied “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Putting Alessandro’s chosen advice into action, do remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Again, the question asks “What do you think of Channel 4’s pledge to have more than 70% of its Paralympic presenters be disabled?”
Reply in the “Comments.”
Afterwards, set yourself a reminder to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Or, tweet me and ask me to include you in my weekly #CPChatNow reminder tweet. Until our next correspondence, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was a happening as always. Members discussed how the heat impacts their CP, feelings after a job interview, and their favorite summer activity. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
Zach asked members how the heat impacts their CP. Most answered that the cold impacts them much more, but Grace described some impacts from the heat:
Zach has had job interviews lately and we discussed the feelings experienced after a job interview:
Finally, members discussed their favorite summertime activity.
Now it’s your turn! This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the best advice you have received about a job interview? Please join us tonight at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter.
Conversation thrived Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 during the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here with the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Come and join me for your weekly recap.
Interestingly, much dialogue sparked from a single question.
That question asked “What topic related to living with cerebral palsy do you wish you could find more information on?” Answers ended up containing a common theme. Long-time regular Blemi responded saying she wants to know how aging actually works for us. Similarly, Grace expressed an interest in how CP affects other health issues. My co-host Devin Axtman seconded Blemi and Grace, in-particular mentioning treatments as we age. A point I thought to emphasize.
Piggybacking off Devin’s comments regarding treatments as we age, I noted often the discussion about treatments revolves around children. This causes the idea of continued treatment into adulthood getting lost. Or, at least the attitude towards treatment for adults with cerebral palsy differs. A distinction Grace offered input on.
Grace stated her belief learning what your body can do and maintaining that remains realistic. I agreed, but added what you can and cannot do are not permanent fixtures. To support my response I explained setting smaller goals that build on top of each other can lead a “cannot” to become a “can.”
Enough about my thoughts though! Time for you to contribute your insights. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What does continued cerebral palsy treatments into adulthood look like for you or the adult with CP in your life?”
Answer below! Afterwards, mark your calendar to join us live each and every Wednesday. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
-Zachary
Answer below! “What does continued cerebral palsy treatments into adulthood look like for you or the adult with CP in your life?”
#CPChatNow 