This past week in #CPChatNow was bustling as always. Members discussed personal accomplishments, COVID restrictions in Australia, good deeds, and what social media platform they like. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, we would love to congratulate #CPChatNow mama bear, Erin, on her acceptance to a Master’s program:
#CPChatNow has had a member joining us from Australia. AcquiDis detailed COVID restrictions in place in the land down under.
Next, talk turned to good deeds as I shared the story of my bus driver taking me to the train station at the end of her route. Members shared good deeds others had done for them or they had done:
Finally, Zach and Chris tweeted about what social media platform they were most active on:
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite good deed you have ever done or someone else has done for you? Please share your answers in the comments!
Please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow! Thanks for reading!
A strong communal vibe resonated within the live weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020. Here to delve into details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Consider me your conductor for the train ride that is the September 2nd, 2020 recap. All aboard!
Discussion early in the night included long-time participants sharing interesting developments going on in their own lives.
Our “resident scientist” Timmy made an appearance. Prompted by my co-host Devin Axtman, Timmy updated us on his current research. Currently Timmy remains at work investigating binge drinking and the executive and emotional input to the reward circuit. Overall, he explained, the study hopes to understand the neural circuitry involved with addiction and addiction-like behavior.
Besides Timmy, the recently returning Erin provided us an update. Erin joined us after handing in a big term paper the night prior. In our chat’s early years, Erin played a pivotal role in our community. To the point she received the moniker “Mama Bear!”
Beyond enjoying familiar faces like Erin and Timmy, we also welcomed a newcomer.
AcquiDis joined our chat for the first time September 2nd, 2020. Personally, I found a quote included in a press release AcquiDis shared intriguing. “…urges disabled individuals to embrace their condition and look beyond it.” The quote led to further dialogue.
Devin pondered whether a fine line exists between looking beyond your disability and disliking your disability. Furthermore, Devin stated he doesn’t believe there stands a final stage where you “overcome” your disability. Instead Devin said there will always be things thrown back your way.
Both Erin and I added our separate input to the topic. Erin emphasizing the need to embrace and own your disability. Meanwhile I distinguished looking beyond and disliking your disability, stating looking beyond your disability entails accepting your disability and just doing what you need to do to be you. Alternatively, disliking your disability entails an active conflict where you battle negative thoughts. An idea Devin paraphrased well, summarizing the negative thoughts as “battling internalized ableism.”
Enough though regarding what we think! What do you think? Answer as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is your attitude towards your disability?” Comment below to answer!
Then make your plans to join us on Twitter each and every Wednesday. The fun begins at 8pm ET!
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
#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.
Community, both past and present, took center stage during the weekly cerebral palsy (CP) Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020. Here to tell you more I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Join me for our weekly tradition also known as the #CPChatNow recap.
Early in the night humor from our chat’s past emerged into our conversation.
Jokingly I asked my co-host Devin Axtman if he had any drinks on hand because I may experience technical difficulties throughout the night. A joke referencing the days when our community held monthly video chats via Google Hangouts. Notoriously I would experience technical difficulties, mostly due to my aged laptop’s inability to properly run during group video chats. At one point in a monthly Hangout Devin quipped about turning my technical difficulties into a drinking game. His joke soon became a running gag within our community.
Although, we no longer host monthly video chats our community continues growing in other ways. For example, continuing to welcome new participants to our chats. Newcomers, like Chris Johnson!
Judging by his return, I dare assume Chris enjoyed his first #CPChatNow experience Wednesday, May 27th, 2020. Devin happily welcomed Chris back by asking him about his hobbies. That led to a reveal Chris has a podcast about the iconic musician Prince.
Keeping the music vibe going I pointed out music stands a familiar topic within our chat.
Offering an example about our past music discussions, I noted how we discussed music’s therapeutic abilities. A sentiment Chris connected to himself. In-particular he mentioned working on a book about music’s healing qualities especially in the spiritual sense.
Allow us to maintain the music theme beat. Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Who is your favorite musician and why?”
Leave your answers below in the comments! Afterwards mark your calendars as a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter starting at 8pm ET.
This past week in #CPChatNow was intriguing as always. Members discussed strategies for dealing with the COVID stay at home situation, special education during the pandemic, and finding connections via the CP community and blogging. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
#CPChatNow member Tonia has been sharing concerns related to paying for her laundry. She shared an awesome story of a friend helping her out. This shows the power of community during the times we are in.
Next, Zach and I talked about an issue that has been in the news a lot lately, virtual learning and parents. Concerns are even more amplified when you are helping your disabled child with their special education.
Next, talk turned to forming connections with the CP community. Zach asked about the first people with CP we connected with.
Next, talk turned to connections created with a common activity, blogging.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Do you feel like you need to teach others about having CP? Please share your answers in the comments!
Thanks for reading and please join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow!
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.
This past week in #CPChatNow was festive as always. As you might imagine, talk centered largely around the upcoming holidays, but other topics were also discussed. Hop in the sleigh for this week’s #CPChatNow recap led by your Co-Host, Devin Axtman.
First, we have an announcement. #CPChatNow will be changing dates to Thursday for the next two weeks due to the holidays.
Kate joined us after graduating nursing school and shared some of her challenges of being a nurse with CP. She shared she would feel very fatigued when coming home from work:
Next, not surprisingly talk to turned to the upcoming holidays. Talk turned to cooking for family and what made a kitchen accessible and CP friendly:
Zach then asked if people put up a Christmas tree and if CP impacted their ability to do so:
Finally, Zach asked what people’s favorite Christmas traditions were. People talked of getting together with family and looking at Christmas lights.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Make sure to share your answers in the comments and join us on Thursday at 8 Eastern at #CPChatNow.
On the day before Halloween, #CPChatNow was busier than a chainsaw in a haunted house. Members talked about carving pumpkins and Halloween plans, inspiration porn, and naming mobility devices. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, members discussed their plans for Halloween. Zach dressed up as a professional for Halloween.
Next, I shared a story that has gone viral recently, a mom helping her son with Cerebral Palsy experience the skatepark and proclaimed that was better than inspiration porn
This led to talk about a common topic with disability, inspiration porn. This discussion was a bit different in that it talked about the definition of inspiration porn and how it fit into taking someone with a disability to prom.
Finally, the talk turned to whether people have named their mobility aids. Zach tweeted he was thinking about naming his cane and Blemi tweeted that she is thinking about naming her canes:
Zach wrote a blog about destigmatizing mobility devices and said he got tired of writing “my cane.” Jeni tweeted about naming her elbow crutch, but not naming her AFOs.
This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: Have you ever named your mobility device? Please share your answer in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.
#CPChatNow was active as always last week. Members discussed things such as what makes someone courageous, how their CP can help them avoid hazards, and the difficulty of asking for help. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.
First, Zach asked what it is that makes someone courageous. I shared my opinion that courage is doing something that is needed even if you are scared.
Next, Zach talked about avoiding tripping at a family clam bake due to being extra conscious of a misplaced step.
Next, talked turned to a difficult issue that many people with Cerebral Palsy and disabilities in general face, asking for help. I shared I sometimes don’t ask for help due to the many things I am unable to do and wanting to maximize the things I can do. Zach shared a similar story at the clam bake.
Hannah and Zach tweeted about the feelings surrounding asking for help.
Hannah and Zach also tweeted further about the fear of being a bother:
I want to go back to Zach’s tweet about the step and the clam bake. I know I have been in situations where my CP spidey sense saved me from a sticky situation that people without CP experienced. This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: How has CP helped you avoid bad situations able bodied people experienced? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter.
