Tag Archives: cerebral palsy community

#CPChatNow Recap- 1-24-2018

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This past week in #CPChatNow members took a page from the Baseball Hall of Fame and inducted members into a mythical Cerebral Palsy Hall of Fame.  Members also talked about parenting strategies for kids with CP and positive things that have happened this week. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along on this week’s recap.  All aboard!

First, we’ll start the recap on a positive note. Hannah asked about a positive thing that has happened this week. Zach talked about a speaking engagement and Blemi talked about trying to find something positive everyday:

Hannah asked about positive this week.

Next, talk turned to a video with Zach Anner, a comedian with CP, where Zach offers his parenting advice for parents of children with CP.

Devin talked about the necessity of parents watching their kids struggle. Zach mentioned that it is probably hard for parents to see kids struggle and a balance required after Jen brought up struggles putting on her socks

Seth, Rachel, and Zach all agreed with the video’s message that it is important to treat children with CP like kids without CP:

Seth, Rachel, and Hannah agree with the video's assertion that kids with CP should be treated like other kids

Zach then took inspiration from the Baseball Hall of Fame’s announcement and asked members who they would like to see in a CP Hall of Fame. Members mentioned various people including Geri Jewell, Christopher Nolan, and Maysoon Zayid as well as things like #CPChatNow.

Hannah and Zach talking about #CPChatNow going in the CP Hall of Fame

Zach and Devin talking about their choices for the CP Hall of Fame

Members continue to discuss who they would like to see in the CP Hall of Fame

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: What tips do you have for parents of children with CP?

Extend-The-Conversation is at top in black text. The word tip is in black in the middle with a lightbulb over the letter I. What tips do you have for parents of children with disabilities? is below the word and tip with the multi-color #CPChatNow logo in the bottom left hand corner

Please answer in the comments and join us on Twitter at #CPChatNow every Wednesday at 8pm ET.

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#CPChatNow Recap- 5-10-2017

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This week’s #CPChatNow Twitter chat was a ride ranging conversation on current events in community member’s lives and topics unique to the disability community.  This is your Interim Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be taking you on this week’s recap journey.

#CPChatNow regular, Dave Smith, started the conversation by posting a video about the Alinker, a walk-assisted device.  Members unanimously agreed it would be beneficial and preferable to using a walker:

#CPChatNow members Kate and Jocelyn returned and debated the proper pronunciation of Cerebral Palsy along with Rachel:

Kate also sparked much engaging conversation about having mild CP and not feeling like she fits in within the disability community:

Members also spoke of their fondness and desire to learn American Sign Language (ASL):

Finally, #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell, ended the chat on a happy note by announcing that he had recently taken a part time job at the local library:

Also, please join us on MAY 25th for our monthly Google Hangout (tip of the cap to Zach for backing up my errant throw):

Finally, this brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation question: Where are some areas the disability community can improve its inclusion of others?  Please share your answer in the comments and be sure to join us on Twitter every Wednesday at 8 Eastern Time. 

 

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-06-2016

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To kick off July the #CPChatNow community reflected. Co-host Zachary Fenell here, guilty causing said reflections. Everything started with one question.

Co-host Zachary Fenell asks how has #CPChatNow impacted your life. #CPChatNow builds community and lessens feeling isolated.Besides building community to reduce isolation, another common theme emerged from the answers.

Co-host Zachary Fenell talks about how #CPChatNow has made him a better cerebral palsy advocate.

#CPChatNow has helped keep Devin informed about current events in the disability community.Current events actually wound up finding a way into the night’s dialogue as well.

Speechless will focus around a nonverbal young man with cerebral palsy and his family.Speechless revolves around JJ, a nonverbal young man with cerebral palsy, and his family. This three-minute trailer gives a good idea what issues you can expect Speechless to tackle.

While my response to live tweeting Speechless remained partly humorous, doing so could lead to amazing dialogue. Obviously people will need to watch to make live tweeting work. Therefore let me ask as the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “In the fall do you plan to watch Speechless?”  As always respond in the “Comments” section.

Though an exciting buzz surrounds Speechless, let us not overlook the summer. Much summer fun still awaits ahead. Maybe you plan on seeing a couple concerts. If so, you will want to stop by tonight on Twitter for our “Concert Going with Cerebral Palsy” focus chat. Tonight’s focus chat leader Jocelyn dropped in last week to share her excitement for tonight.

Tonight #CPChatNow's own Jocelyn leads a focus chat on concert going with cerebral palsy.My co-host Blake Henry reminded us a second reason to feel excited about the week.

#CPChatNow participants will video chat via Google Hangouts Thursday, July 14th. The chat begins at 8pm ET!Once a month we use Google Hangouts to enjoy a video chat. The invitation goes out around 8pm ET. Do you want to join the Hangouts fun? Please direct message Blake or myself to request an invitation. To maintain a private setting we do not post the link publicly.

Your answer will help determine if we live tweet Speechless in the fall.Meanwhile as you stir in excitement for tomorrow’s Google Hangout and tonight’s focus chat, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“In the fall do you plan to watch Speechless?” 

Your answer will help determine if we should live tweet the show come September. Answer below by commenting.

Tweet you soon!

-Zachary

 

 

 

 

#CPChatNow Recap- 05-04-2016

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Week after week #CPChatNow offers the cerebral palsy community a place for support, advice, and understanding. Proud chat co-founder and co-host Zachary Fenell here to catch you up on the latest. Now before I continue with the May 4th recap, let me share a disclaimer. Life gets in the way sometimes. Busy schedules causes the occasional Twitter chat to end up uneventful. That proved the case with the April 27th #CPChatNow. Hence no April 27th recap.

Yet do not mistaken a down week for lacking interest in the Twitter chat. May 4th demonstrated our value to the cerebral palsy community. A newcomer joined in, seeking advice.

A newcomer to #CPChatNow seeks tips to deal with a "so called friend."Additional advice discussed during #CPChatNow about how to deal with people who make life with cerebral palsy more frustrating.An interesting aspect to #CPChatNow forms with the twists the dialogue takes. For instance, the showering issue cited above led to a full fledged conversation on said subject.

Cerebral palsy can make showering troublesome. Therefore baths serve as an appealing alternative.Would you like to contribute to the discussion? The extend-the-conversation question enables you too! Answer “Do you take showers or baths?” Leave your answer in the “Comments” section.

Moving on, our community includes various age groups. Therefore understanding can lead to another feeling. I am talking about hope!

The various ages of #CPChatNow participants lets the younger participants know life with cerebral palsy gets better.Between the shared advice and understanding, participating in #CPChatNow stands a joyful experience. A claim backed up by participant feedback!

Participant feedback backs up the claim that CPChatNow is an enjoyable experience.Speaking about advice, another useful tidbit emerged from the May 4th chat.

Next time you are out for drinks, try this cerebral palsy life hack.Also on May 4th my co-host Blake Henry and I surprised our community with a couple announcements. The first announced the next focus chat, which we actually held Wednesday, May 11th. Blake led us in a chat on the benefits of community service. Stay tuned for that recap!

Secondly, Blake announced the date for our May Google Hangout.

CPChatNow's next video chat will be held Thursday, May 19th via Google Hangouts. Google Hangouts allow us to talk face-to-face via video chat. Please send me a direct message on Twitter if you want to receive the Google Hangout invite. For privacy reasons we do not publicly share the Hangout’s link.

Do you take showers or baths? While you count down the days to this month’s Google Hangout and await the “Benefits of Community Service” focus chat recap, answer the extend-the-conversation question currently at hand. “Do you take showers or baths?” 

Respond via a comment below.

Thanks for reading. Talk again soon!

-Zachary