The #CPChatNow recap is back and I am back from my wedding and honeymoon! This week members discussed research and publishing, resuming attending large events, attitudes towards disability, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, I would like to share some recent exciting news! I’m married!
I added some events to our mythical CP Olympics that I participated in during my wedding and honeymoon.
Next, members discussed returning to large events in the midst of the end of the pandemic.
Finally, I described differing attitudes towards disability that I experienced on my honeymoon and gave examples of differing responses.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: When do you plan on returning to attending large events? Please share your answers in the comments and join each Thursday at 8 Eastern on Twitter!
Participants in the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed a buzzing conversation Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021. Here to tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. I acknowledge I am late bringing you this recap. So rather than wasting more time with an explanation, I say let us get straight to the recapping!
Excitement for my co-host Devin Axtman surfaced early in the chat.
The source for the excitement stemmed from Devin’s forthcoming wedding that weekend. Both long-time regular Blemi and I wished Devin well on the upcoming celebration.
After watching Blemi’s video, I asked who takes vitamins or supplements to boost energy levels. Veronica responded, saying she takes a vitamin C immune booster. Devin noted while not energy related he takes Omega Red and vitamin D. All the vitamin and supplement discussion led to dialogue on another subject, swallowing pills.
Veronica and Blemi found comfort in knowing they are not alone in having difficulty swallowing pills. Difficulty rooted in short gag reflex. Meanwhile Devin and I spoke about our abilities to swallow pills. What about you though? Answer as the June 2nd extend-the-conversation question, “How do you fare at swallowing pills?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.
Perhaps your ability to swallow pills relate to whether you have water to drink. Fittingly, drinking water became yet another topic discussed due to Blemi’s conserving energy video.
Some participants mentioned not liking how water tastes. Veronica offered advice, saying she adds a splash of fruit flavored vinegars to her water. Responding to Veronica, I stated I like plain water but I have to remind myself to drink. Continuing, I added my own tidbit for reminding myself to drink water. Keeping a water bottle in the refrigerator. Veronica meanwhile uses an app to track her water intake.
By chance you need water to swallow pills, that would provide a steady reminder to drink. Make sure to mention if you drink water to help swallow pills when you answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How do you fare at swallowing pills?”
Answer below! Then mark your calendar to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was fire as always. Members talked about their recent accomplishments, life insurance with CP, and their plans for the summer. It was evident that members are excited for COVID to be in the rearview mirror. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I would like to recognize some members for their recent accomplishments. Timmy recently passed his qualifying exam to be a PhD candidate:
Jorge also mentioned that he is about to graduate with his Master’s Degree from the University of Virginia:
Jorge also tweeted about the unfortunate differences people with CP face when it comes to life insurance benefits:
Next, members talked about their varied plans for the summer.
Chris Johnson talked about the latest with his podcast, the Purple Knights Podcast, a podcast about Prince:
Finally, Chris tweeted about finishing her Master’s:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your biggest goal for the summer?
Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern time on Twitter at #CPChatNow
Quietly Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 snuck up on participants in the cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Please allow me, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, to tell you more. Just keep reading.
As already mentioned, Wednesday evening quietly snuck up on our community.
My co-host Devin Axtman admitted forgetting it was Wednesday. Meanwhile long-time regular Blemi remained distracted by the NHL playoffs. Nevertheless, our chat persevered through the momentary forgetfulness and outside distractions.
Conversation between Devin and I thrived when I asked a question based around a Disability Scoops article I read. The article, “Teen’s Documentary About Life With Disabilities To Screen Worldwide,” highlighted 17-year old Faith Guilbault’s documentary about life with disabilities. Leading me to ask what others would want the audience takeaway to be if they created a documentary about living with CP.
Replying Devin said he wanted to see a documentary focused on people at various stages in their lives. Continuing the conversation I remarked to Devin such a documentary would be comprehensive and a great resource. What about you, though? Keep the dialogue going. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “If you were to create a documentary about living with CP, what would you want the audience takeaway to be?” Respond in the “Comments” section.
Perhaps, your takeaway might involve emphasizing how cerebral palsy impacts people differently. If so, you would relate to further discussion from the night.
The topic surfaced after I watched Blemi’s Youtube video about “inbetween-living.” Feel free to watch for yourself.
Curious, I asked Blemi if certain feedback she received sparked the video. She replied yes. Hoping to counter the negative voices, Devin and I both offered our support. Devin specifically noting CP has “a spectrum of severity.” Sounds like a possible audience takeaway for a documentary to me. Bringing us back to the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “If you were to create a documentary about living with CP, what would you want the audience takeaway to be?”
Answer below! Afterwards mark your calendars to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed routine tasks that are difficult for them with their CP, problematic teachers, and things they are looking forward to doing when the world returns to normal. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, Zach opened up the conversation by asking his Extend-The-Conversation Question from last week.
Zach shared his strategy for adapting to the routine task of carrying hot liquids:
I tweeted about the bane of many people with CP’s existence, buttoning a dress shirt.
Next, Tonia shared a blog post about an ableist teacher praising her parents and not her for her good report card.
Finally, members discussed what they were most looking forward to when the pandemic ends:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. What do you think makes a good teacher good?
Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter. Thanks for reading!
Connections within the #CPChatNow community grew stronger Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Participants in the chat bonded over various cerebral palsy related topics. For example, I joked about how carrying a hot beverage without spilling any should be an Olympic sport.
Carrying hot chocolate from my kitchen into the dining room prompted me to make the Olympic sport quip. Hence why I also specified “hot beverage.” A point relative newcomer to the community Alessandro corrected, noting carrying any beverage without spilling remains a challenge.
Add your input too. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feel like an Olympic sport due to CP?” Actually, in order to avoid simply dwelling on problems, let us make this a two-part question. “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feels like an Olympic sport due to CP? How do you adapt to complete the task?” Reply in the “Comments” section.
As the night’s discussion progressed, other cerebral palsy challenges arose. A topic triggered by a question I asked.
Curious, I asked if others ever imagined what life would be like if they didn’t have CP. Alessandro admitted wondering about this daily. Meanwhile in a response to chat regular Chris, I hypothesized the biggest difference for me would be driving. My response resonating with my co-host Devin Axtman who said he was going to say the same.
Attempting to maintain a positive outlook, I mentioned how everything has positives and negatives. Not driving creates challenges, but I am also able to say not driving has helped me strengthen friendships.
Keep the positivity rolling and remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What seemingly ‘routine’ tasks feels like an Olympic sport due to CP? How do you adapt to complete the task?” Answer below.
Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was cracking as always. Members discussed impacts from COVID vaccinations, strategies for trimming their toenails, and their latest book recommendations. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap!
Veronica and Zach both described the side effects they had experienced from their second COVID vaccination shots. If you’re interested, you can find more information about getting a vaccine appointment here.
People with CP and other disabilities often have to find creative ways to do everyday tasks. Zach asked members how they cut their toenails.
Finally, members talked about the books they were reading and other book recommendations.
During the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 several subjects came to the conversation’s forefront. Here to fill you in on the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap.
Throughout the post Tonia makes some excellent points. Or, so I thought. One I specifically commented about in our Twitter dialogue. Oppose to going on with my personal takeaway though, I will just encourage you to read Tonia’s post yourself. Allow you to develop your own takeaways.
In the meantime, let us continue recapping our discussion from April 21st.
Upon joining April 21st, long-time regular Blemi shared exciting news. She finally received her first COVID vaccination shot! This led others to offer their vaccination statuses. Veronica looked forward to getting her second shot on Sunday. Meanwhile Alessandro recalled his second shot taking a toll on him.
Another occurrence which can take a toll I raised via a question.
I asked everyone how long they take to return to their regular selves following a horrid night of sleep. Blemi, Grace, and my co-host Devin Axtman all mentioned needing a couple days before returning to their status quo.
Regarding the status quo, participants reminisced about resuming a pre-pandemic lifestyle. Leading to concert going rising as a topic.
Recalling those simpler times, I asked our community about their best concert experience. Veronica answered she saw Queen and Adam Lambert in July 2019. Alessandro also replied, recalling seeing T.I. at the House of Blues in Orlando.
As the concert chatter continued, Tonia reminded us concerts are not for everyone. Saying she has never been to one due to their overstimulating nature. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What has been your best concert experience?”
Reply in the comments below. If you find concerts overstimulating, let us know that! Then plan to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was a happening as always. Members discussed new jobs, their accomplishments for the week, canes, and stretching. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, I would like to recognize some good news and a strong GIF game from Linds!
Linds also tweeted about her cane and feeling accomplished by finishing laundry. I can certainly relate to finishing laundry sometimes feeling like an accomplishment!
We had some new folks join the chat this week! Constance Jamet talked about her various accomplishments this week which including finishing some things for work and walking a bit more.
Constance’s tweets led to a further conversation about stretching with Zach and I tweeting about our stretching routines.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your stretching routine? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow.
Energetic proves a fitting way to describe the conversation which happened during the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, April 7th, 2021. Why you may ask. Let me, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, tell you why via your weekly recap.
The description “energetic” encompasses a buzz and our chat buzzed from topic to topic April 7th.
Early in the night my co-host Devin Axtman and long-time chat regular Jen discussed a common interest multiple people in our community hold, baseball. In-particular Jen mentioned a bench clearing incident involving Devin’s favorite team the Chicago Cubs.
While players on the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers jumped off their benches and ran onto the field, participants in our community discussed a different jumping.
Both Devin and I brought up situations which can make us jumpy. Devin mentioning being “super jumpy” at the dentist. Meanwhile I shared how my workplace currently has HVAC work getting done. The work causing lots of banging. Neither situation stands ideal alone, but combined? Yikes! A scenario Veronica recalled experiencing while responding to my tweet.
Elsewhere in the conversation Veronica offered a useful tip.
Regarding cooking, Veronica said whenever she looks at recipes, she doubles the prep time because due to her CP she has to do her prep one-handed. Smart thinking, if you ask me! Would you agree? Comment below and let us know.
Also, while commenting share your own cerebral palsy tip. Consider that your extend-the-conversation question for the week. After commenting, mark your calendars to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun always begins at 8pm ET.
#CPChatNow 