This past week in #CPChatNow was intriguing as always. Members discussed recent accomplishments and life events and their reason for joining Twitter. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
I would like to first highlight some cool things going on in member’s lives. Chris has developed a survey attempting to measure what people think students should learn about disability. Please help her out by taking the survey!
Next, Zach shared his progress in the Race Across Ohio. He has walked 43 miles in 18 days towards his 60 mile goal.
Finally, Zach asked what prompted members to join Twitter. Members shared various reasons, but they all centered around community.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the main reason you use social media? Please share your answers in the comments.
Thanks for reading! Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
Assorted subjects came and went during the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, August 19th, 2020. Here with the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Time to settle in and enjoy your weekly recap!
Early discussion contained a music theme.
Just for fun I asked participants if they were to nominate a song to be the official song of living with cerebral palsy, what song would they nominate. Personally, I said “Tubthumping” by Chumbuwamba. Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman said “Unsteady” by X-Ambassadors.
However, not everyone could come up with a song. Our resident pro at social distancing Jen has no song associated with her CP. What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question “If you were to nominate a song to be the official song of living with cerebral palsy, what song would you nominate?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.
In addition to answering the extend-the-conversation question, chat regular Chris could use your feedback!
As the night’s discourse continued, the extend-the-conversation question Devin proposed in the August 12th, 2020 recap emerged.
In answering what I would tell my younger self about CP I wondered if my younger self would believe me. A thought process leading me to shamefully plug my teen memoir Off Balanced, which became available in paperback this past February. Off Balanced details my journey from embarrassment to embrace over having CP.
Responding to my comment, Grace mentioned not feeling embarrassed but rather encountering constant mind-numbing anxiety/guilt. Oppose to us continuing to look back though, let us refocus on the present and future. Presently, the week’s extend-the-conversation asks “If you were to nominate a song to be the official song of living with cerebral palsy, what song would you nominate?”
Reply below to answer. Next, mark your calendar and join us on Twitter for #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was bouncing as always. Members discussed adventurous things they had done in the last week, features of architecture, and aspects of their CP they have had to reconcile. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, Zach asked members what adventurous things they had done in the last week. Members tweeted various things that really are not that adventurous, but seem adventurous and risky in this COVID pandemic.
Next, my friend who is an architect happened upon #CPChatNow and we discussed my preference of ramps versus lifts.
Finally, Zach asked members what they had struggled to reconcile with their CP.
Members discussed various difficult parts of reconciling their CP such as other’s perception and physical difficulties:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question inspired by Chris. What would you tell your younger self about CP? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow.
Various topics related to cerebral palsy arose August 5th, 2020 during the weekly CP Twitter chat #CPChatNow. Here to fill you in on the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Get ready. Set yourself. Time to recap!
Long-time chat regular Blemi initiated dialogue by sharing troubling emotions.
In order to walk around Banff independently, Blemi decided to use her late grandfather’s walker. Knowing she needs the walker powered her troubling sentiments. Chat regular Heather offered Blemi encouraging words, noting although hard to reconcile Blemi will have a better day with the walker.
Do you relate? Tell us! Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What parts of cerebral palsy have you had a hard time reconciling with? What helped you learn to reconcile?”
Leave your reply in the “Comments” section. Perhaps your ability to reconcile involves avoiding certain situations. For example, maybe tying things frustrates you. So, you avoid face masks with ties. If that example resonates with you, know you belong to good company.
Driven by curiosity, I asked participants what kind of face masks they wear. My co-host Devin Axtman and everyone else who answered said they prefer face masks with ear loops.The same unified consensus did not apply though when I asked people how they best learn.
Answering the question Tonia named auditory as the best way she learns. She indicated her visual learning is super impacted by CP. Interesting to me because I also am impacted visually, mostly seeing out of one eye. Nonetheless, I learn best visually.
Another potentially helpful learning tactic entails repetition. In the repetitious spirit, I remind you to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Again, the question asks “What parts of cerebral palsy have you had a hard time reconciling with? What helped you learn to reconcile?”
Reply below! Afterwards set yourself a reminder to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was festive as always. Members discussed a new book by a disabled author, online dating, and their oldest friendship. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
Next, Chris asked whether people had success online dating and mentioned he was thinking about joining match.com. Members shared various levels of success, but I wanted to highlight people who have had success to show that finding love with a disability is possible.
Finally, #CPChatNow talked about something that’s very important, friends. Members discussed their longest friendship and why they felt it had lasted so long.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the key to your friendship with your best friend?
Thanks for reading and please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow.
Participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow brought up interesting topics during the chat Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020. Or so at least I, chat co-host Zachary Fenell, found the topics interesting. You can make your own judgments by reading the weekly recap. All aboard!
Much conversation revolved around a link Amanda shared earlier in the week.
Earlier in the week Amanda used our hashtag when tweeting out Elizabeth Lilly’s Buzzfeed article “35 Things People with Limited Mobility Swear By.” I asked if anybody uses items on the list. Blemi answered saying she uses a shelf reacher. Although, Blemi quickly added she uses the shelf reacher more due to her height oppose to her CP.
Furthering the conversation surrounding the Buzzfeed article, I asked participants another question.
After I finished reading the Buzzfeed list, I asked if there was anything on the list you would think about starting to use. Responding to my own question I stated the garment steamer and pot tipper items intrigued me. Amanda gave the pot tipper a ringing endorsement saying “The pot tipper I love!!!!”
While my co-host Devin Axtman agreed, calling the pot tipper a “genius idea” a different item on the list caught his attention.
From the 35 items Lilly mentioned in her Buzzfeed article, the electric can opener caught Devin’s attention. This prompted Karen to sing the item’s praise. Karen noted how the electric can opener creates a smooth edge, ensuring she doesn’t cut herself.
What about you? Read through the Buzzfeed article and answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question “Was there anything on the list you would think about starting to use?” Leave your replies in the “Comments” section.
Elsewhere in the July 22nd chat, participants discussed dating and sex.
The dating and sex subjects emerged when Seth shared his friend would be speaking to a group of disabled teens about sex. News I found cool because the topic can often go overlooked in the disability community.
Continuing the conversation Seth revealed his friend planned to use Life Goes On as an example. He warned her to expect a lot of blank faces. When I asked Seth what he would recommend instead, Seth named Speechless. Additionally, Karen offered recommendations.
Beyond Speechless, Karen named Margarita with a Straw and Crip Camp as projects depicting sex with disabled characters. Feel free to add your own suggestions too. First though, answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Again, the question refers to the Buzzfeed adaptive equipment list and asks “Was there anything on the list you would think about starting to use?”
Answer below in the comments!
Until next time, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
This past week in #CPChatNow was cracking as always. Members discussed various topics like their brags for the day, creating their own podcast, life hacks, and what part of the day they feel at their best.
Zach opened the conversation by asking members what their brag for the day was. He shared that his book is now offered at the library he works at:
My brag was advocating to my apartment to finally finish a wheelchair ramp on a sidewalk:
Travis tweeted about starting his podcast, Off The Crutch.
Amanda tweeted a Buzzfeed article with tips for people with limited mobility. This might be helpful for some people with CP.
Finally, members discussed what part of the day they felt the best at:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation: What is your favorite part of the day?
Thank you for reading and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow
Various subjects came and went Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 during the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you more I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
Early dialogue from the evening involved participants discussing different mask mandates. Through the conversation we discovered most mandates possess similar disability exemptions. This led to some interesting questions.
After we began discussing the mask mandate exemptions, I asked how many people with disabilities will feel like they will need to prove themselves as disabled. Plus, I questioned how many non-disabled individuals will lie and claim a disability just to get out of wearing a mask.
My co-host Devin Axtman who works in a college’s disability service office, answered the questions. He expects a tough balance between having people get documentation versus people just asking. Meanwhile chat regular Heather expressed doubts a lot of places will ask for documentation.
Enforcing mask mandate exemptions sure does bring about certain complications. Let us continue that discussion. Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “How would you enforce mask mandate exemptions?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.
Moving beyond masks, chat regular Seth shared an interesting experience he had July 4th weekend.
As Seth explained, at a fireworks party, two kids became intrigued by Seth’s voice. Resulting, Seth ended up playing “Guess What the Gimp is Saying” with the kids. I found Seth’s story super cool, assuming Seth was cool with the game. An assumption Seth confirmed as true. Ultimately by having a sense of humor, Seth transformed a potentially awkward or frustrating situation into a positive moment.
Returning to a more serious tone, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How would you enforce mask mandate exemptions?” Answer below! Then mark your calendar for #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET.
#CPChatNow opened up July discussing a wide range of topics. Members discussed Canada Day, critical topics such as their favorite type of M&M’s, and if it was difficult to obey their limits. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, I would like to highlight an important conversation The Accessible Stall podcast had about systemic racism and abelism. You can find the episode here.
I also wanted to highlight a recent blog post by co-host, Zachary Fennell, about his experience during the Cleveland UCP Race to Empower.
July 1st was Canada Day and Blemi tweeted that it was very different than the normal celebrations due to the COVID pandemic.
Next, talk turned to a very important question, what are member’s favorite M&M’s. This was inspired by some delicious Crispy M&M’s I was enjoying.
Finally, members discussed a common struggle for folks with CP, obeying their limits.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite candy?
Thanks for reading and be sure to join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.
On Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow continued adjusting to life in a COVID19 world. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Allow me to serve as your conductor on this metaphorical train ride known as your weekly recap. All aboard!
As aforementioned, much dialogue from the night related to the COVID19 world we all now live in. For example, Major League Baseball (MLB) announcing their plans for the 2020 season.
Bonds in our community prove strong, in-part due to commonalities beyond cerebral palsy. My co-host Devin Axtman brought one such commonality up, mentioning baseball. Specifically, MLB’s plan for the 2020 season. Many participants possess their favorite teams. Devin loves the Chicago Cubs. I am a huge Cleveland Indians fan. We learned relative newcomer to the group Chris supports the Indians’ divisional rival Minnesota Twins.
Meanwhile long-time regular Jen roots for the Texas Rangers. Her Rangers fandom showed when I asked a question about customizing face masks.
Seeking ideas for custom face masks, I asked #CPChatNow what would everyone put on a custom face mask. Jen replied, saying maybe the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty or the Texas Rangers’ mascot Rangers Captain. Also replying, Devin said our #CPChatNow logo. His comment sparked my creativity.
Taking a moment I went over to Custom Ink and generated a possible #CPChatNow mask. Both Devin and Chris liked what they saw. I still need to look into the logistics more, but stay tuned! #CPChatNow face masks could become available soon.
Would you want a #CPChatNow face mask? If not, what would you put on a custom face mask? Answer that for the week’s extend-the-conversation question!“What would you put on a custom face mask?”
Answer below! Then plan to join us on Twitter, each and every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET. I look forward to tweeting you then. Until then though, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!
