#CPChatNow Recap- 1-2-2019

Posted on January 9, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was a happening as always. As you might imagine, New Year’s resolutions were a hot topic. Members also talked about accessible seating and watching the ball drop.

Amanda shared an unfortunate experience of accessible seating not being guaranteed at a concert she wanted to go to. This is all too common unfortunately.

Amanda expressed frustration about accessible seating not being guaranteed

Next, Shira brought up the fact she would not want to go to Time’s Square to watch the ball drop:

Shira and Zach tweet about not wanting to go to Time's Square to see the ball drop

Finally, talk turned to New Year’s resolutions. Hannah talked about wanting to go to Nashville for a vacation and blog:

Hannah tweets about wanting to blog more and go to Nashville

Zach shared many ideas including going to Cincinnati for a Reds game and also to meet the #CPChatNow crew near there:

Zach and Hannah tweeting about Zach going to Cincinnati to see a reds game and visit the #CPChatNow crew

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What are your 2019 New Year’s Resolutions?

Please join us at #CPChatNow on Twitter tonight at 8 Eastern!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-26-2018

Posted on January 1, 2019 by zacharyfenell

One night removed from Christmas, individuals in the cerebral palsy community gathered for the last 2018 #CPChatNow live Twitter chat. Holidays remained a forefront concentration too, as you will see reading this recap. A recap gifted to you by yours truly, co-host Zachary Fenell.

Initial conversation revolved around Christmas gifts participants received the previous day.

When asked about naming favorite gifts received, long-time chat regular Jen could not name just one. Between Stranger Things seasons one and two, her Doug the pugs, and new iPad Jen encountered a tough call. Meanwhile chat regular Seth and my co-host Devin Axtman expressed clear favorites.

Seth’s aide gave him $100 on betonline, an online poker/sports betting site. Fun! Devin also received a fun gift, an ugly North Dakota State Christmas sweater. Eventually the dialogue transitioned past Christmas to New Year’s.

Personally, New Year’s always puts me in the mood to reflect. Therefore I asked participants to share some positives from their last 12 months. Another long-time regular Hannah recalled making the most of the good moments. Hannah experienced relentless health concerns throughout 2018, so enjoying the good occasions became extra important.

Additionally, Devin responded saying 2018 brought him growth both personally and professionally. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What were positives for you in 2018?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

Expanding beyond our personal 2018s, we furthermore explored 2018 relating to the overall cerebral palsy community.

Answering the question “What were positives for the CP community in 2018?” Devin named the continued media presence with Speechless and Maysoon’s project. That latter project refers to Can-Can, a sitcom starring actor, comedian, and past #CPChatNow participant Maysoon Zayid. In late 2018 ABC ordered a Can-Can pilot.

Can-Can possesses exciting possibilities. Same applies to Speechless perchance the show gets picked up again in 2019.

Speechless getting renewed for season three stood out to me as a 2018 positive for the CP community. Now I am hoping a fourth season will get the green light in 2019. Much potential exists story wise regarding JJ heading off to college. Devin noted he could even consult on JJ’s accommodations scenes! My co-host’s work history gives him the credentials. You never know, right?

Depending upon what happens with Speechless and Can-Can, 2019 could get incredibly exciting for the CP community. Yet before we commit ourselves to the year ahead, let us take a final moment to remember 2018. Answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What were positives for you in 2018?”

Respond below! Then make a New Year resolution to join us on Twitter every Wednesday at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 12/19/2018

Posted on December 26, 2018 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was busy as always. With the holidays coming up members talked about the difficulty of gift wrapping and the greatest gift they have ever given. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, members talked about the difficulty of wrapping gifts with CP:

Jen tweets about never wrapping gifts herself. Zach tweets that gift bags are the perfect solution and the need for a wrap battle for CPChatNow

Next, members talked about the greatest gift they have ever given with a variety of cool answers:

Zach asks what the greatest gifts members have ever given. I reply a Traeger grill and talk with Jake about how much he likes it

Blemi tweets about the leather journals she gave to Rob

I tweet about TEKS shoes I got for my mom and Paul tweets about a grandfather clock he got from his mom

Don’t forget our Hangout Thursday, December 27th and answer our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the best gift you have ever given someone?

Please share your answer in the comments.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-12-2018

Posted on December 19, 2018 by zacharyfenell

Participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow discussed various topics Wednesday, December 12th, 2018. As co-host I am tasked to neatly summarize all the different discussion into your weekly recap. Wish me luck!

“Good luck Zachary!”

Thank you! The extend-the-conversation question from the previous week’s recap stimulated early dialogue December 12th.

My co-host Devin Axtman originally posed the question during the December 5th recap. “What is the theme song of your life with cerebral palsy?” Blemi answered “She Moves in Mysterious Ways” by U2 while Devin himself responded “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. Seth’s response meanwhile left him and I bonding.

Seth replied “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls. Personally I love that song. As I explained in the chat the lyrics “I don’t want the world to see me because I don’t think they will understand” strongly resonated with how I felt back in my timid days. Seth noted feeling the same way.

Continuing to provide a spark kindling chatter Devin raised another question.

Devin asked whether anyone has CP related holiday traditions. He then named his. Devin’s family hangs the cabbage patch outfit Devin wore his first Christmas on their tree. Jeni Briere sympathized, recalling her older sister getting upset when their parents “stole” the sister’s cabbage patch kids clothes for Jeni to wear.

Simultaneously in answering Devin’s question I explored a separate aspect to holiday traditions.

Diverting a little from the original query, I named Christmas Eve dinners at Grandma’s house as my favorite holiday tradition. Although not directly CP related, I explained Grandma’s home remained largely accessible helping to create an enjoyable environment. Devin especially empathized alongside one factor I mentioned, needing a table to eat. A need not all participants shared though!

Hannah vocalized she prefers not eating at a table, a preference she reasons extends back to rarely doing so when growing up. No matter your dining setting preferences, everyone could probably agree the holidays can represent a stressful time. Stress eventually rose to the conversation’s forefront. I asked how individuals keep themselves from over exerting themselves. Grace admitted she does not. Rather she counts on someone else to help keep her in check. Otherwise she will work herself to death or at least fall and/or encounter pain flares. Experiences I resonate with, mentioning I know I need to take a step back and refocus when my movements get extra sloppy.

What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What signs indicate you are over exerting yourself?” Leave your reply in the “Comments” section.

Recognizing these signs stand vital. They allow you to better understand your limits, a subject Hannah knows too well.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What signs indicate you are over exerting yourself?"

Leave your answer in the comments!

Similar to Grace, Hannah confessed to lacking balance within her life. Serious health complications the disruption in Hannah’s situation. Hannah named learning she can’t push past her body’s limits stood the hardest lesson. Familiarizing yourself with how your body tells you “Enough” stays vital to avoid over exertion. So again answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What signs indicate you are over exerting yourself?”

Reply below in the “Comments.” Then remember to join #CPChatNow every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

#CPChatNow Recap- 12-5-2018

Posted on December 11, 2018 by devinaxtman

This past week #CPChatNow was lit as always. Members talked about claiming handicapped parking spots and what makes someone strong. This week’s chat was also a unique chat as it was #CPChatNow’s 5th anniversary. Members talked about positive effects from #CPChatNow and what they would make the official theme song of #CPChatNow. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, Blemi sparked an intriguing discussion by asking if she should feel guilty for claiming the only handicapped parking spot:

A discussion about Blemi asking if it was bad she claimed the only handicapped parking spot. I tweeted that she should never feel sorry for claiming access

Next, there was an enlightening discussion sparked by Shira’s tweet asking what members thought made someone strong in a community that is often seen as strong by default:

Shira tweeted asking about what makes someone strong. Zach tweeted about perseverance. Shira tweeted about people seeing the disabled community persisting through challenges. Zach tweeted that others probably do not agree on what is difficult

I added in the importance of attitude towards others:

Zach and I tweeted about the importance of attitude towards others in making someone strong

Zach asked about how #CPChatNow had been a positive and many members talked about a positive of finding community. Cirán discussed the positive of his distrust of escalators being validated from a previous discussion about the dangers of using escalators with CP:

Ciran tweets about a positive of his childhood distrust of the escalator validated

Zach then asked members what they would make the official theme song of #CPChatNow:

Shira tweets Fight Song by Rachel Platten being the official theme song of #CPChatNow. Karre Sloan tweets I get knocked down by Chumbawamba

This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the theme song of your life with CP? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter

Extend-the-conversation question in red with What is the theme song of your life with CP? in red as well. There is a black and white picture of a microphone with some knobs.

-Devin

#CPChatNow- 11-28-2018

Posted on December 4, 2018 by devinaxtman

This past week the #CPChatNow Cerebral Palsy Twitter chat was bumping as always. Members talked about their holiday wish list, what they wanted to be when they grew up, and what they feel is the worst occupation for someone with CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

Not surprisingly, members’ holiday wish lists dominated the early conversation. Members shared their gifts were becoming more practical as they aged.

Zach and Devin tweeted about holiday wish lists. Zach tweeted about a bright winter coat so people can see him and I shared I recently bought lights for my wheelchair

Next, members talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up as a kid. There were definitely some amusing answers, but some also achieved their goal!

Zach tweets about wanting to be a Cleveland Indians player and then shifting his goal to becoming a writer. We talked about mourning not being able to play sports.

Zach and I had a common goal, playing baseball. I had a little bit more lofty ambitions however, and Ayden would like to be the Leader of the Free World!

Ayden tweeted about wanting to become President

Zach asked about the occupations that members felt were the worst for people with CP. Dave shared some difficult positions he has had, a stagehand and line cook.

Zach and Dave tweet about bad occupations for people with CP. Dave tweets about stagehand and line cook being difficult on the knees

Heather won the unofficial title of Tweet of the Night with a tightrope walker being the worst occupation for someone with CP

Heather tweets that a tightrope walker would be the worst occupation

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What was your dream job when you were growing up and did CP require you to change it? Please share your answer in the comments and join us at #CPChatNow on Twitter at 8 Eastern each Wednesday.

The Extend-The-Conversation Question graphic. There is a tan background with a picture of a little girl daydreaming. What was your dream job when you were growing up and did CP require you to change it? is in red with the multicolored #CPChatNow logo

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 11-21-2018

Posted on November 28, 2018 by zacharyfenell

Before participants in the CPChatNow community gathered with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, they assembled for the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, November 21st, 2018. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, here to reminisce about the November 21st, 2018 chat the best way I know how. Your weekly recap!

Thanksgiving emerged as an early discussion topic thanks to my co-host Devin Axtman.

Devin asked people to share their favorite Thanksgiving food, naming pumpkin pie as his. Both Timmy and I experienced difficulty picking just one! Hannah meanwhile said mashed potatoes are her favorite, although this year Hannah looked forward to a special gluten free peanut butter cake her grandma made.

Aware not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving in November, I asked a question.

On American calendars Canada’s Thanksgiving gets marked as “Canadian Thanksgiving.” I wondered if on Canadian calendars if they listed our Thanksgiving as “American Thanksgiving.” Timmy seconded my curiosity saying “Please tell us!” Heather DeYoe dropped in later to inform us Canadian calendars lists the day as “American Thanksgiving.”

Keeping to a Thanksgiving theme, we also discussed Thanksgiving family traditions.

Devin shared his family watches Christmas Vacation on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile Timmy’s Thanksgiving tradition sounded quite enjoyable. He eats, naps, and repeats. I however need to patiently wait until Black Friday to eat. Since my mother works in retail, eating Thanksgiving dinner on Black Friday has become the Fenell family tradition.

Still I find Thanksgiving Day a reminder to show gratitude, which led to the next question.

I asked participants to share a 2018 accomplishment that they are thankful for. Hannah simply said surviving, given the difficult year she faced. What about you? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is one accomplishment from 2018 you are thankful for?”

Leave your answers in the “Comments” section below. Then come join the conversation LIVE Wednesday nights on Twitter, starting at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

Online community for those with cerebral palsy!