Tag Archives: cerebral palsy awareness

#CPChatNow Recap- 03-04-2020

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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!

Zachary shares some cool personal news.

As previously mentioned, participants shared exciting news. Including me! Recently Wiki Ezvid created a video highlighting five inspiring writers advocating for those with disabilities. The list featured me. What an honor!

Additionally, our beloved “Positivity Princess” Linds revealed her own exciting news.

Linds shares exciting news with #CPChatNow.

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.

#CPChatNow participants discuss what they wish more people knew about cerebral palsy.

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).”

Chat newcomer Tonia shares a blog post she wrote about the invisible aspects of CP.

Reading through Tonia’s post, I had a question come to mind. So, I asked #CPChatNow.

#CPChatNow participants discuss going barefoot.

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!

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "Do you feel your spasticity is more intense when you are barefoot?"

After answering, make your plans to join #CPChatNow each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

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

-Zachary

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#CPChatNow Recap- 2-20-2019

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This past week in #CPChatNow was buzzing as always. Members talked about how #DisabledPeopleAreHot, plans for CP Awareness Month, incompetent nurses, and controversy with Walmart and an employee with CP. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

The hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot swept Twitter the past week. Many #CPChatNow members posted pictures for the hashtag. Here is a newcomer to #CPChatNow, Lionel Menchaca.

Lionel's #DisabledPeopleAreHot picture

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness month. Zach asked if members had plans for the upcoming month. Veronica and Zach discuss upcoming CP awareness plans

Veronica Hosking talked about a phone bank for the local UCP and Zach talked about a team for the Race to Empower which is held in May due to Cleveland winters:

Hannah tweeted about her frustration of being in the hospital and her leg spasms triggering an alarm. A hospital tech asked a truly unbelievably incompetent question:

Hannah tweeted about a tech asking to predict her leg spasms so she doesn't trigger the bed alarm. Blemi and Devin tweeted how nice it would be to predict spasms.

Finally, #CPChatNow shared collective outrage at a change in Walmart policy which may cause a greeter with CP to lose his job:

Hannah passes along a tweet about a Walmart greeter with CP possibly losing his job due to a change in job description. I express disbelief an accommodation cannot be worked out

#CPChatNow members shared our frustrations with employment and attitudes of employees:

Hannah tweets the employment system is rigged. Hosking Poet shares they need to be reminded of EOE laws. Blemi shares she is glad she stopped shopping there and many greeters may be out of jobs.


This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the worst thing a healthcare employee has said to you? Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.

This week's extend-the-conversation question asks "What is the worst thing a healthcare employee has said to you?

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- Cerebral Palsy Swagger Focus Chat

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Happy Thursday!

Zachary here again to recap this week’s #CPChatNow. The live weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat gives our community a reason to get excited about Wednesdays. This week the excitement heightened because Hunter Gandee from The Cerebral Palsy Swagger joined us for a focus chat.

Excitement for March 9th's Focus Chat proved a mutual feeling shared by both Cerebral Palsy Swagger and #CPChatNow. Hunter joining us provided us an opportunity to learn more about Cerebral Palsy Swagger’s initiatives. Plus how they feel regarding their story going viral!

Hunter Gandee explains the catalyst for Cerebral Palsy Swagger.Hunter discusses the media coverage he and Cerebral Palsy Swagger received.

Hunter Gandee tells what he considers the best part about the Cerebral Palsy Swagger publicity.Hunter directs those curious about Cerebral Palsy Swagger's future activities to the appropriate resource.Stay updated on Cerebral Palsy Swagger’s future activities and like their Facebook page!

In addition to learning more about their cerebral palsy awareness initiatives, last night supplied the chance to get to know Hunter and Braden on a personal level.

Hunter talks about his and Braden's interests, besides raising cerebral palsy awareness.Hunter reveals some of Braden's other interests.Personally I found learning more about Hunter and Braden’s interests an empowering experience. After all while cerebral palsy creates commonalities within our community, human nature dictates we also possess our own separate interests.

Another human nature dictation decrees we each maintain the ability to make the world around us a better place. Like Cerebral Palsy Swagger, we too can spread cerebral palsy awareness! Exactly how to do so Hunter shared last night.

Hunter Gandee explains how others can raise cerebral palsy awareness.

Answer this week's extend-the-conversation question. How will you raise cerebral palsy awareness?

Leave a comment and share how you will raise cerebral palsy awareness!

Sure, not all attempts to raise cerebral palsy awareness will go viral. Yet if your actions just educates one person, you can say you increased cerebral palsy awareness. Thus let me ask as this week’s extend-the-conversation question,

“How will you raise cerebral palsy awareness?”

Answer by commenting below. Maybe our different answers will even inspire new ideas!

Talk to you again soon,

Zachary