This past week in #CPChatNow was interesting as always. Members discussed CP awareness, working from home, and famous people with CP. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
March 25th by coincidence happened to be Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Members discussed whether wishing people a happy CP Awareness Day was appropriate.
Hannah also popped in to wish everyone a happy CP Awareness Day:
Talked turned to the effectiveness of a common strategy for raising CP awareness, wearing green.
Zach and I discussed positives and negatives of wearing green:
Finally, talk turned to a common topic during the COVID outbreak, working from home.
However, Veronica tweeted about how the recent changes with the pandemic have impacted the availability of her work of scoring standardized tests:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: How is CP impacting staying at home?
Please share your answers in the comments, join us at #CPChatNow at 8 Eastern each Wednesday on Twitter and most importantly, stay home and stay safe!
While concern over the Coronavirus continues growing, the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow offered participants familiarity and comfort Wednesday, March 18th, 2020. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Get ready for your weekly recap.
In a time involving many changes to how we interact with each other, #CPChatNow required no such changes. You could say we help to make social distancing easier.
Early conversation in the night revolved around how participants are holding up during these uncertain times. Something my co-host Devin Axtman asked directly.
Everyone appears impacted by the pandemic, although to different levels. Devin exhibited positive thinking, noting he has a job and hasn’t been affected as much as others so far. Both chat regular Chris and I demonstrated appreciation for any thread of normalcy.
Additionally, a blast from #CPChatNow past Jorge Oteiza popped in to share as essential personnel, he must continue working. Plus Jorge reminded us to thank mail carriers, doctors, nurses, and first responders next time we are safely six feet away.
Fittingly, Jorge called the six-feet distancing a “new reality.” Let us know how you are holding up in our new reality. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How are you holding up during the Coronavirus pandemic?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.
The Coronavirus pandemic influenced our dialogue a little longer as participant Tonia detailed a predicament Coronavirus has created for her.
Between a shelter-in-place notice and no access to more quarters, Tonia only possesses the means to do laundry one more time. Higher ups at her building declined suspending the quarter requirement because a separate company owns the machines. I recommended Tonia and her neighbors contact the other company and voice their concerns.
After awhile the chat’s focus turned away from the Coronavirus pandemic. Much thanks to last week’s extend-the-conversation question!
Within the March 11th, 2020 recap, Devin posed the question “What piece of advice do you wish your parent would have known about CP or having a disability?” I answered “It is not about what you ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ do, but rather asking how could we do this?”
Devin on the other hand admitted not knowing how to best word his answer in a tweet. However, that his advice would entail the fact he felt his parents were a bit overprotective. This led to further discussion regarding parenting a child with cerebral palsy.
As Devin and I discussed the parent’s perspective, Tonia reminded us not all parents overprotect. Some not knowing how else to interact, push their child to be non-disabled. An impossibility! Tonia noting both extremes cause harm.
Time to keep the dialogue chugging forward. Remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “How are you holding up during the Coronavirus pandemic?” Let us know!
Answer in the “Comments” section.
Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was intriguing as always. Members discussed desires for stylish adaptive equipment, actors and actresses with CP, and advice for parents. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
Zach and Blemi tweeted about their desire for adaptive equipment to be stylish and why attention may not be paid to that:
Next, attention turned to people’s favorite actors and actresses with CP:
Finally, Zach asked what advice people would give to parents of someone with CP. Members offered a variety of advice, but most centered around connecting with community and exposing their children to people with disabilities:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What piece of advice do you wish your parent would have known about CP or having a disability?
Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter.
On Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed an energized night. Participants shared exciting news, discussed cerebral palsy awareness, and more! Here to fill you in with the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Prepare for your weekly recap!
Additionally, our beloved “Positivity Princess” Linds revealed her own exciting news.
A glee sparkled from Linds’ tweets as she shared she received a transfer at work and will soon return to her home in Ames. Join me in congratulating Linds. Respond to this post and leave her a congratulatory comment.
Elsewhere in the chat participants found inspiration for conversation in Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
I asked #CPChatNow what they wish people were more aware of regarding CP. Long-time regular Blemi said she wished more people realized the condition results from brain damage and is not as simple as fixing a limb. My co-host Devin Axtman offered two answers. He wants people to know cerebral palsy does not make you unattractive.
Furthermore Devin noted the condition does not go away at 18 years old. Chat newcomer Tonia also expressed similar sentiments, saying “in spite of it (cerebral palsy) being a ‘childhood disability’ we do grow up.” Tonia added many invisible aspects connected to CP go ignored. Aspects she thoroughly covers in a blog post “Parenting Kids with Disabilities: What You Can’t See (Invisible Aspects of CP).”
Reading through Tonia’s post, I had a question come to mind. So, I asked #CPChatNow.
In her post Tonia mentioned her spasticity being more intense when barefoot. Curious to see if others experienced the same, I asked if you feel your spasticity is more intense when barefoot. Devin said he has less support and balance when barefoot. Blemi agreed her feet are very sensitive and as such she does not like to go barefoot. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Do you feel your spasticity is more intense when you are barefoot?” Comment below to answer!
After answering, make your plans to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was interesting as always. We had members with big life changes, discussions of things members didn’t like but grew used to, and a robust discussion of the effectiveness of awareness months. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
I would like to take a moment to congratulate Chris for accomplishing a long term goal and obtaining her certification as a substitute teacher:
Zach asked about something that members did not like, but grew used to. Chris mentioned that she did not like Physical Therapy (PT), but grew used to it.
Finally, there was considerable discussion about March being Cerebral Palsy awareness month and the effectiveness of awareness months in general.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What was a necessary evil when it came to your CP?
Thank you for reading and please join us on Twitter each Wednesday at 8 eastern at #CPChatNow
On Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoyed an assorted conversational spread. Keeping to the food analogy, that makes me co-caterer (oppose to co-host) Zachary Fenell. I invite you to come sample the discussion via our weekly recap.
Travis Davis, a returning newcomer to our community, asked a question about self-employment.
In-particular Travis wanted to know if anyone has experience with self-employment. I offered my honest feedback, mentioning I have dabbled in self-employment albeit not quite successfully. As I explained further, not knowing how much to charge for my freelance writing services and lacking the confidence to charge said prices proved my downfall.
Nonetheless downfalls and failure do not need to define us. Through additional back and forth I revealed I still describe myself as an entrepreneur. However, I treat entrepreneurship more like a hobby. This takes pressure off converting sales.
What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.
Elsewhere in the chat, getting a new wheelchair came up.
The topic arose when Casey mentioned she should be getting a new wheelchair soon. My co-host Devin Axtman and Casey began discussing different details involved in the process. Details like getting the prescription written and going through the wheelchair evaluation. All information peaking my interest since I never experienced the process myself. Fueled by my curiosity, I asked a question about getting a new wheelchair.
Casey, Devin, and chat regular Seth each replied to my question asking how often they get a new wheelchair. Five years appeared the common time frame for getting a new one. In that time frame you could answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question over and over and over! To refresh you, this week’s question asks “What is a lesson you have learned from failure?”
Comment below to answer!
After answering double check your calendar and ensure you have each Wednesday marked for #CPChatNow. Each week the fun starts at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was insightful as always. Members discussed things they had done to accommodate their CP, canes, and shoes. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, I would like to make a recommendation. Go buy Zachary Fennell’s book, Off Balanced. I bought it and I’m loving it so far:
Next, Zach brought up last week’s Extend-The-Conversation question about accommodating your Cerebral Palsy.
Chris tweeted about being selective about her shoes while I shared I moved to using a wheelchair at school in high school.
Zach and Chris tweeted about their past use of canes and adventures with them.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Have you worn a special type of shoe due to your CP?
Thanks for reading! Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 proved an extra exciting night for the cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to fill you in on all the excitement I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Time to dive into your weekly recap!
The exhilarating tone started early in the night with participants sharing wonderful news.
First, I revealed my CP memoir Off Balanced is now available in paperback! Additionally, another long-time chat regular shared some positive news.
Our own “Positivity Princess” Linds scored an audition for This is My Brave in Iowa City. As she would explain, This is My Brave shares stories about mental illness in order to break stigmas. Both my co-host Devin Axtman and I thought that sounds pretty cool.
Beyond participants’ exciting news, our community rallied together to show support to a fellow participant.
Shira expressed frustration in needing to drop two classes in order to keep up physically with her college schedule. Heather encouraged her “There’s nothing wrong with doing what you must to accommodate.” How true! To emphasize this, let us make the week’s extend-the-conversation question the following. “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?” Respond in the “Comments” section.
Learning to accommodate your CP helps to make you adaptable. Elsewhere in #CPChatNow February 5th, 2020 we discussed other characteristics CP makes us.
I asked participants to fill in the blank and answer “Cerebral palsy makes me (blank).” Newcomer Travis Davis chimed in, saying CP makes him happy, providing him opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise. Perhaps, like Travis, you will take the opportunity to join #CPChatNow. Our discussion happens each and every Wednesday on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET. If you do not like Twitter, join us through our Facebook fan page and through answering the weekly extend-the-conversation question. As a reminder, this week’s question asks “What is something you have done to accommodate your cerebral palsy?”
Leave your response below!
Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed moving, the difficulty of battling through winter, and terrible compliments they have experienced related to their CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!
First, we check in on Linds. She has moved to a new town to start her new job as a paralegal:
Next, members discussed a common nemesis of people with CP, old man winter. Zach asked if members felt more tired during winter:
Finally, talk turned to problematic compliments members had received. Zach tweeted about the “I don’t see you as disabled” stereotype and Jen tweeted about being prayed for once.
Chris also tweeted about some problematic compliments.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst compliment you have received related to your CP?
Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
After nearly a two-year absence, a big return arrived to the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020. Focus chats! I, co-host Zachary Fenell, am here to tell you more. Get ready for your weekly recap!
A concept originally suggested by community pillar Jorge Oteiza, focus chats center around a particular subject. The Paralympics remained the topic at hand January 22nd. To lead the discussion we welcomed past chat participant and 2016 Paralympian Ayden Jent.
Prior to discussing the Paralympics, we asked Ayden some questions about his athletic background.
My co-host Devin Axtman asked Ayden about what inspired him to start running. Ayden explained his initial interest came from both his parents running in college. That interest reached another level when he began joining his step-father on runs.
Meanwhile I asked Ayden how long he had to work before reaching competition at the national level. “All my life” Ayden answered in-part, adding wearing braces, casts, physical therapy, and botox injections all helped prepare him to get to that point.
Within his answer to me, Ayden also mentioned stumbling upon the Paralympics. After a follow-up question, Ayden clarified he discovered the Paralympics when he came across a Youtube video featuring a fellow runner with CP named Michael Mckillop. Thankfully Paralympic awareness seems to continue increasing, at least according to Ayden.
Ayden addressed knowledge about the Paralympics’ existence when I asked if he finds people often confuse the Paralympics with the Special Olympics. Alongside three crying with laughter emojis, Ayden replied “All the time!!!!” However, Ayden showed an optimistic outlook saying commercials and the United States Olympic Committee changing their name to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee enables more people to realize the two games are different.
Elsewhere in the conversation Devin asked about the classification system the Paralympics use.
While too late to get in a question for our Paralympics focus chat, you could still try tweeting Ayden on your own. He did express enjoyment in answering our questions.
Looking ahead, who else would you like to see #CPChatNow host a Q & A with? Actually, that sounds like a great extend-the-conversation question! Make sure to answer below. “Who would you like to see #CPChatNow host a Q & A with?”
Your answers will help us plan the best possible focus chats!
Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
#CPChatNow 