2019

Posted on September 17, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was animated as always. Members talked about things like getting a bad night’s sleep, their routine in the morning, and the age old debate of audio books versus physical books.

Members first talked about something that plagues everyone from time to time, a bad night’s sleep and how long it takes them to recover:

zach asks how long members need to recover from a bad night's sleep. chris said it takes forever, blemi said 2 or 3 days and she needs 7 hours of sleep with 8 or 9 being better, zach said he is best with 8 hours of sleep and i tweeted i feel it the next day with 6.5-7 hours being optimal

Next, Zach asked members if they have to wake up earlier to get ready because of CP:

zach asked if members have to wake up early in the morning to get ready due to disability, I said no, but it does take me 5 minutes to put my shoes and orthotics on, zach said he saves time by keeping his shoes tied

I also recommended a book that I am listening to, Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse. Zach and I discussed what I do when I listen to audiobooks:

I recommend the book Strangers Assume My Girlfriend is My Nurse by Shane Burcaw. Zach asked if I multi-task while listening and I shared I do it on my train commute

Next, members engaged in the new school age old debate, physical books or audio books. Zach discussed audiobooks with Blemi who prefers physical books, but does like to use her e-reader.

Zach discussed audiobooks with Blemi who prefers physical books, but does like to use her e-reader.

Hannah and Dave Smith also weighed in on the audiobook debate with Hannah tweeting that she likes physical books because she can physically turn the pages and Dave tweeting it depends on the thing he is reading:

The conversation about audio books versus paper books continued. Hannah said she likes physical books, but they are a chore with her vision and she often gets distracted in audio books.Dave smith said he likes physical books for favorite authors and ebooks for reading and textbooks.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. I will use Zach’s question and put my own twist on it: Do you have to adjust your routine due to disability? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.

Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 09-04-2019

Posted on September 10, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Alongside each Wednesday comes community, at least for participants in the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to the September 4th, 2019 #CPChatNow recap. The night began on a celebratory note.

Devin and Zachary wish Jen a happy birthday.

My co-host Devin Axtman started the night by wishing long-time chat regular Jen a happy birthday. Jen would respond, letting us know she indeed enjoyed a happy day.

Jen celebrated her birthday by going to the zoo! She even captured a cool video featuring a penguin. Unfortunately, another long-time chat regular experienced a much less fun day.

Health woes continue plaguing beloved #CPChatNow member Hannah. She described her last two years as “constantly fighting.” No matter how long the fight lasts, our community will remain in her corner.

Elsewhere in the chat I asked participants to give me feedback on potential shirt designs.

Zachary asks #CPChatNow for input on potential shirt designs.

Personally, I am looking to release a shirt promoting a message I find especially meaningful. If you read my recaps before, you heard the message because I end my recaps with these words. “Don’t blend in. Blend out!”

Responding, participant Jeni said she liked the second option. Beyond the message, Jeni liked that the design contains Seahawks colors. She reasoned those colors would draw a lot of attention. Plus irritate her sister, a 49ers fan!

Sports and team rivalries provide a great way to develop connections and friendships. Although, any common interest would do the same. For example, most in the chat know Devin, myself, and a few others share an interest in wrestling.

Devin and Zachary talk professional wrestling.

What about you? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is an interest that has helped you develop friendships?” Respond below in the “Comments.”

Then add our Twitter chat to your weekly schedule. The chat happens every Wednesday, starting at 8pm ET. I hope to tweet you soon.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "What is an interest that has helped you develop friendships?" — Answer in the comments below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 8-28-2019

Posted on September 3, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was jumping as always. Members talked about topics like submitting their first manuscript, snapping their fingers, and the bane of many people with CP’s existence, shoes. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to recognize #CPChatNow’s resident scientist, Timmy. Timmy is starting his PhD program and submitted his first 1st author manuscript. Good luck this year Timmy!

Zach and Timmy tweet about Timmy's first 1st author manuscript. A paper that condenses his master's thesis.

Next, Zach asked if members are able to snap their fingers, something that is difficult for many people with CP.

Blemi tweets she is able to snap her fingers

Talk then turned to whether members could do things like the Vulcan Salute, sing, and play an instrument.

I tweet I cannot snap or do the vulcan salute. Grace tweeted she cannot do the salute or whistle a melody while she can sing. Zach tweets he cannot sing, snap, or whistle. Grace tweets she has practice but can't play an instrument. Zach tweets practice is important to doing something well.

Next, talk turned to how long member’s shoes last them. Keens and Docs were popular durable shoes. Many members expressed that shoes did not last them long.

Zach asked how long it took member's shoes to wear down. Chris tweeted it depends on the construction, but she has luck with keens. Blemi mentions docs as well. Heather tweets her shoes wear down at different times.

Grace tweets her shoes can wear down in weeks or month, but it can be a year. She tweets her left shoe can wear out faster.

Finally, Zach mentioned a CP life hack he used at a recent wedding, wearing black tennis shoes rather than dress shoes.

zach tweets that he wears black tennis shoes instead of dress shoes as a CP life hack. Blemi tweets zach is lucky he is a guy. Zach tweets he would be a mess in heels

Zach’s tweet about tennis shoes inspires our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are your CP life hacks? Share your answers in the comments!

Thanks for reading and join us each Wednesday at #CPChatNow at 8 Eastern on Twitter.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 08-21-2019

Posted on August 28, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Wednesdays equal appointment tweeting, at least for participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow. To tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. In my opinion the best way to demonstrate the appointment tweeting concept remains delivering you your weekly recap.

Since everyone begins gathering at 8pm ET, you can expect almost immediate responses to your tweets. Such quick response time helps to build a bond between those who contribute to the dialogue. For example, take a look at how others responded to a humorous story my co-host Devin Axtman shared.

Members in #CPChatNow bond over similar experiences.

Devin brought up a Lyft driver who recognized Devin’s cerebral palsy. The driver’s familiarity with CP stemmed from a family member having the “Palsy.” The tale gave me flashbacks to college when a peer saw my movements and asked a similar question. Like long-time chat regular Blemi observed, “People who know. Know.”

Another attribute which makes #CPChatNow appointment tweeting involves the life updates. Each week chat regulars share the happenings in their lives. On Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 Shira shared an awesome development.

Shira shares an exciting life update with #CPChatNow.

Shira recently learned every week her college brings in therapy dogs for de-stressing. Devin mentioned the college he works for does the same during finals, an especially stressful time! Unfortunately, stress knows no bounds. Whether school or life, you can easily become stressed. Hence the importance to find an outlet to relieve your anxiety. With that said, answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question “How do you relieve stress?”

Leave your reply in the “Comments” section. Then afterwards make sure to add #CPChatNow to your weekly calendar. The Twitter chat takes place every Wednesday, beginning at 8pm ET. Include the hashtag in your tweets and join the conversation! I hope to tweet you soon.

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks, "How do you relieve stress?" — Leave your answer in the “Comments” section below!

#CPChatNow Recap- 8-14-2019

Posted on August 20, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always! Members talked about various things such as therapy they enjoyed over the years, learning to fall, and disaster preparedness with a disability. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, we start with a dreaded subject when you have CP, falls. This was sparked by a post in The Mighty about falling. Members discussed things such as learning to fall and their fear of falling. Hannah learned to fall so well she taught others!

Zach asks if members have been afraid to fall. Hannah tweeted she never feared it and she taught a teacher's daughter how to fall

Zach shared his fears about falling were largely about messing up large events. I shared I had to wear wrist guards due to fear of hurting myself. Heather did not have to worry about this since her mom is a nurse:

Devin tweets he's not afraid, but mindful, zach tweets his fears are screwing up big events, I tweet that I wore wrist guards on the playground. Heather tweeted she did not, but her mom is a nurse.

Zach had a security meeting at work with problematic representation about those with disabilities in an active shooter situation. Chris tweets about experiencing similar things and disaster planning for earthquakes:

Zach and Shira tweet about the active shooter preparation video with Zach expressing dismay about the portrayal of wheelchair users. Zach and Shira tweeted about how you might experience issues with speed if you are trying to escape an active shooter situation in a wheelchair:

Zach tweets about getting nervous under pressure and then states he might surprise himself, but both agree they hope they never have to find out

We have talked about some heavy things in this recap, so I would like to end by focusing on a lighter topic. Therapy is a constant in many people’s lives with CP. Zach focused on therapy that was effective for us. Grace and I discussed horse therapy:

Zach tweets and asks about a therapy that helped you. I tweeted I loved horse therapy and Grace tweeted she had it from 6-18. Zach tweets he had PT on a weekly basis from 3 until starting college.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What was your favorite moment in therapy? Please share your answer in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.

A picture of a woman jumping and smiling before a purple sky. What was your favorite moment in therapy? is above her head in white and Extend-The-Conversation-Question is below her in white with a white #CPChatNow in the lower left hand corner.

#CPChatNow Recap- 08-07-2019

Posted on August 14, 2019 by zacharyfenell

Every Wednesday participants in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow enjoy camaraderie. They celebrate each other’s successes and offer empathy during challenging times. Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 proved no different. To tell you more, I am co-host Zachary Fenell.

Shortly after 8pm ET members began joining the conversation.

#CPChatNow participants discuss the Canadian holiday Heritage Days.

A holiday weekend caused long-time chat regular Blemi to almost miss the chat. Thankfully her mind reminded her that yes indeed, the day is Wednesday. I inquired about the reason for her long weekend and she explained the Canadian holiday Heritage Days. The holiday celebrates the different cultures and customs that make up Canada.

Meanwhile a fellow long-time chat regular Hannah looked ahead to another celebration.

Hannah receives early "Happy Birthday" wishes from #CPChatNow.

Although she felt rough, Hannah stopped by to say hi. With her birthday days away Hannah hoped to feel better next week. My co-host Devin Axtman wished Hannah an early happy birthday.

To keep the celebratory birthday theme going, answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is the most memorable birthday gift you have ever received?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Continuing on, the reasons to celebrate kept piling up.

The co-host formerly known as Blake finds himself on Blake Street.

Co-host Jorge Oteiza, also known as Blake Henry, apparently came across a street named after him. Ha, ha!

Resuming seriousness though, passionate chat regular Chris possessed a great reason to celebrate.

In some exciting news Chris shared she will start grad school October 1st. She plans to study instructional design. Fantastic!

I bet “Fantastic!” additionally works to describe your answer to the extend-the-conversation question. Again, this week’s question asks, “What is the most memorable birthday gift you have ever received?”

Share below in the “Comments” section. Then mark your calendar to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET!

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

-Zachary

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What is the most memorable birthday gift you have ever received?" — Respond by commenting below.

#CPChatNow- 7/31/2019

Posted on August 6, 2019 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always. Members talked about a recent Micah Fowler interview, a computer mouse versus a track pad, coffee mugs, and also a peanut butter debate. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, Speechless continues to be a popular topic during the chats. Forbes had a recent interview with Micah Fowler that is definitely worth checking out. The interview sparked discussion during the chat about how Speechless handled family and disability.

zach tweeted his enjoyment of the interview question about how speechless dealt with family. i tweeted about how my favorite episodes were how the show focused on how cp impacts other siblings. zach tweeted his appreciation of the show's honesty particularly the bonfire episode

Next, debate turned to whether members prefer a trackpad or a mouse with opinions mixed between a trackpad and a mouse.

zach asked if people like a trackpad or mouse. blemi said trackpad. i commented i like apple's trackpad because you can move the cursor and click all on the trackpad

jeni tweets she lost homework assignments because of trackpads due to her heel of her palm hitting the trackpad

Also, #CPChatNow weighed in on the age old debate, smooth or crunchy peanut butter.

Next, Zach asked members how they handle their coffee mug. Blemi and Shira responded they handle both the handle and the mug.

Zach asked if members held the coffee mug handle or cup. Blemi and Shira responded they handle the both the handle and the mug. blemi said she doesn't take chances after spilling hot liquids

Zach shared he uses travel mugs because they do not get hot and they have lids to prevent spills.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What common items not designed specifically for accessibility do you use to meet your access needs?

Thanks for reading this week’s recap! Join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow on Twitter.

-Devin

Online community for those with cerebral palsy!