2021

Posted on October 19, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed showing off their new walker, disability related books they would recommend, and the reasons they read. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I wanted to give kudos to Blemi for showing off her new pink walker to help promote her Youtube channel. Making mobility aids “cool” is a challenge for disabled people, so any time we can it’s worthy of praise!

zach asks if blemi has had a chance to show off her pink walker, blemi tweeted she did a photo shoot with it with an instagram account that wants to feature her. she said it is a big deal because she used to only take photos from the waist up. zach tweeted it is an incredible feeling when others reach out and they want to partner with you or feature you.

Next, the rest of the chat turned to books and reading. This may have been inspired by Zach finishing the manuscript on his latest book! First, Zach asked members what disability related book they would host for a discussion.

zach asks what disability related book members would choose for a discussion, i tweeted john quinn's or judy huemann's book. huemann's book illustrates disability history and john explains cp so well. zach tweets john's book is one of his favorite books period, blemi tweets sitting pretty by Rebeckah Taussig

Finally, talk turned to the reasons people read. Members shared a variety of reasons. Also, you can find Emily Ladau’s book Blemi references here.

zach asks why members read and offers some reasons such as escape from reality, self-improvement, inspiration. blemi tweets she reads for the pleasure of it. zach tweeted he read for multiple reasons, sometimes escape from reality, others better skills (finance), or disability related material because they open him to other's experiences. blemi tweeted she picked up Emily Ladau's book Demystifying Disability

zach tweets he will eventually get to emily's book, but he has other things on his list. i tweet i mostly escape reality, but i like current event books.

Please share your answers to the Extend-The-Conversation-Question in the comments and join us each Wednesday on Twitter at #CPChatNow at 8 Eastern!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 9/22/2021

Posted on September 28, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed life events like completing a 5k, their favorite fall activities, and how Australia is handling COVID. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I want to share a cool thing that Zach recently accomplished. He completed his first 5k after experiencing a significant fall. Way to go Zach!

zach tweets he is doing a run through history 5k this weekend and his goal is to not fall during the race. i tweet my encouragement

zach tweets he completed the 5k in one hour, 4 minutes and achieved his goal of not falling on the hilly course. there is a picture of zach standing by the finish line

Casey and Zach tweeted about their favorite ways to deal with pain from cold weather.

casey tweets they have been feeling more discomfort than normal due to cold weather, zach asks what they do to reduce discomfort and tweets he deals with back aches in winter, but he uses a heating pad, casey tweets they use heating pads, medicine, and laying down in the middle of the day.

AcquiDis checked in from Australia with an update on how the government is handling the COVID situation.

AcquiDis tweeted she is coming out of lockdown number 8 in australia, zach asks if a new lockdown starts once cases hit a certain number, AcquiDis tweets instances of COVID are detected in local areas which cause immediate lockdowns

zach tweets that sounds much different than the states, AcquiDis tweets there have been 766 cases with 4 deaths, zach tweeted he didn't know the numbers in northeast ohio, but he is an area of high transmission so his employer is requiring masks for everyone, but he is far from lockdown

Finally, Zach asked members what their favorite fall activities are.

zach asks what members favorite fall activities are, i tweet watching football and eating pumpkin delights, zach tweeted his favorite fall activity is watching Cleveland postseason baseball, but not this year — This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite part of the Fall? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 9/8/2021

Posted on September 14, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was a fun one! Members discussed outdoor activities, what they want to do to make 2021 a success, and the fact #CPChatNow is turning 8 soon! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, Blemi shared some recent exciting outdoor activities she and her fiancé have been doing lately. First, they recently went kayaking. She tweeted a video about her experience.

blemi tweets her youtube video of kayaking with her fiance, zach tweets that looks like beautiful scenery and asked what blemi finds most challenging about kayaking, blemi tweets the most challenging thing is getting out of the boat and the most enjoyable is getting to enjoy nature from a different viewpoint and she tweets the rapids got pretty high at one point

Also, Blemi tweeted about a new camper that she is buying with her fiancé:

blemi tweets a picture of her new toy, a camper

i tweet that i'm sure they will take the camper out a lot, blemi tweets it is in for a check up and she does not have to camp in a tent and will have a bed and toilet

Zach asks members what they want to do to make the year 2021 a success:

zach tweets the last quarter of the year is approaching. he asks what members would like to complete before the end of the year to consider 2021 successful, chris tweets her degree, but the past month put a wrench in that, blemi tweets she wants to make through the year with mind and body in tact

Zach also asks Blemi why she feels 2021 is more challenging than 2020:

zach asks if the continuation of covid has made 2021 more challenging, blemi tweets her agreement and that people where she lives are being stupid with numbers climbing and she can't hide in the house

Finally, Zach points out that #CPChatNow is about to turn 8 in December:

zach tweets #CPChatNow will be turning 8 in December, i tweet it is in 2nd grade, zach tweets next thing you know, we will be having a graduation party, blemi tweets we're old

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Please share your answers in the comment and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 8/25/21

Posted on August 31, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was eventful as always. Members discussed falls, reactions to their falls and accessorizing their mobility devices. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, talked turned to a familiar topic for those with Cerebral Palsy, falls. Zach discussed one of his recent falls with Blemi that led to a groin strain:

zach tweets he saw his doctor who confirmed he suffered a groin strain, blemi tweeted we can expect more falls as we age, zach tweeted he is curious about that, he did have a face mask in his back pocket which caused a jerk and his reaction time could be delayed

Next, members discussed the strangest reactions to falls they have experienced:

zach asks about the strangest reaction others have had to a fall, i tweeted about a friend in high school picking me up like a heybale on his farm, zach tweeted about yelling at a friend who did not ask him if he needs help when he went to pick zach up

tonia tweets about a reaction where a chair user reacted to her flipping off a steep sidewalk in Costa Rica and landed in the grass, he asked casually if she was ok

Finally, talk turned to another common topic for those with CP, mobility aids and making them fashionable.

zach asks who has multiple mobility devices so they can make their disability fashionable and match with outfits, i tweet that i have one pair of shoes and a wheelchair, zach tweets his cane is black and black goes with pretty much everything, alessandro tweets he uses a scooter, but he wears jordans or crocs

Blemi and Zach tweet about how it’s hard to find cute devices and they wish there was more availability:

blemi tweets she is trying to find cute devices, zach asks if she would spray paint a device or have rob work on it, she tweets it would be difficult with all of the parts and grooves, zach asks if there is someone who specializes in mobility devices, blemi tweets she wishes there was a site or store dedicated to young adult mobility aids

This brings to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite mobility aid you have ever had? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 7/28/2021

Posted on August 3, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was lit as always. Members discussed aging and CP, perceptions of disabled people, and books by disabled authors. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Chris started the conversation by sharing research that showed people with CP are more likely to break bones as they age with people in their 50s having the bone strength of people in their 80s. This led to conversation about what we can do as we age to help bone health.

zach tweeted a link to an article demonstrating research that people with CP are more likely to break bones in their 50s

i tweeted that is not reassuring, but at least we have research into cp. chris tweeted she is at risk for osteoporosis so she asked her doctor. her doctor said that what you do in your 20s or 30s is important and calcium supplements help. chris tweeted about a friend who had to have surgery for breaking his toe.

Next, Veronica tweeted about her son interacting with a disabled person who other people at work did not respect:

veronica tweeted about an interaction her son had with someone who used her phone to communicate at work. she appeared very smart, but other people did not treat her as smart, karen tweeted that is ableist and wrong, veronica tweeted she feels no one has any patience which is the problem

Finally, talk turned to disabled authors and books members liked to read. First, Karen and Zach discussed Zach’s in progress book.

karen asked if people are going to watch the paralympics. zach tweeted he will if he has his book done by then. karen asked what his book is called. zach tweets the title is still TBA, but the book is about accomplishing the unreasonable which for him is becoming a marathoner.

Karen talked about books related to disability that she liked. She tweeted about All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything and Being Heumann. Becoming Heumann is being turned into a movie!

karen tweeted she recommends all children read All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans With Disabilities Changed Everything. I tweeted it is hard to believe the ADA is 30 years old and karen tweets it is actually 31 years old as of july 26, 2021

karen tweets that Being Heumann is being turned into a movie and asks who is excited. I tweeted my encouragement for people to read the book and karen tweeted she likes the book.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your favorite book or other art created by someone with a disability?

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 7/14/2021

Posted on July 21, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed seeing themselves walking, worries about falling, and what Disability Pride Month means to them. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, my wedding and me walking up the aisle sparked conversation about walking. I was surprised when I saw myself walking on my wedding highlight video. Members seemed to share the same sentiments.

i ask if anyone else gets surprised with how they walk. zach tweets its a jarring experience. jen tweets she rarely sees herself walking, but yes and she has cringed when she sees herself on video.

zach tweets seeing himself walking is less jarring due to seeing himself in drive thru window, alessandro compared himself to a newborn giraffe, zach compared himself to a drunken stumble. chris tweets the worst thing is hearing herself speak and she knows why she is asked if she is australian, blemi tweets it shocks and horrifies her.

i tweeted it was momentary revulsion and then a thought that i put a lot of work for that walk

Next, members discussed worries about falling. Members specifically discussed concerns of falling at weddings and big events.

zach asked if members got nervous about falling at weddings and similar events. i tweeted i got nervous walking down the aisle and my gait gets worse. blemi tweeted she is skipping the aisle and she gets slower and more self conscious when she is nervous

Finally, members marked July being Disability Pride Month, by explaining what disability pride means to them.

i ask what disability pride means to members to celebrate disability pride month. i tweeted disability pride means identifying as disabled and furthering the notion disability is a beautiful part of diversity.

chris tweeted disability pride means not being ashamed of who she is. being around people who recognize the challenges of her disabilities, but also see the good in them. being comfortable in her disabled skin. blemi tweeted she loves chris' definition

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is something that routinely surprises you about your disability? Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 6/30/2021

Posted on July 7, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was a happening as always. Members discussed how the heat impacts their CP, feelings after a job interview, and their favorite summer activity. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

Zach asked members how the heat impacts their CP. Most answered that the cold impacts them much more, but Grace described some impacts from the heat:

zach asked if members are impacted by heat. grace answered she gets spasticity in the cold, but prefers it to summer. she gets muscle spasms because of dehydration, headaches with barometric pressure changes, and depression with brain fog. grace thinks she has summer SAD

Zach has had job interviews lately and we discussed the feelings experienced after a job interview:

chris talked about how she was exhausted due to setting up her boyfriend's computer, zach tweeted he is tired due to work in the morning and a job interview in the afternoon, he tweeted it was emotionally tiring with nerves beforehand, second guessing afterwards. i tweeted that's the worst part of a job interview that it's helpful to look back, but only helpful to an extent

zach tweeted he is fortunate to have a great support system that gives him advice. at some point you have to trust yourself and answer how you feel is best.

Finally, members discussed their favorite summertime activity.

zach asked what is your favorite summer activity, he tweeted attending a baseball game is one of his favorites along with swimming, i tweeted i like to hang out in my parent's backyard, blemi tweeted she likes to sit outside and read.

Now it’s your turn! This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is the best advice you have received about a job interview? Please join us tonight at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow on Twitter.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 6/16/2021

Posted on June 22, 2021 by devinaxtman

The #CPChatNow recap is back and I am back from my wedding and honeymoon! This week members discussed research and publishing, resuming attending large events, attitudes towards disability, and more! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, I would like to share some recent exciting news! I’m married!

i tweet that i am married, zach asks if i put streamers and tin cans on the back of my wheelchair saying just married, i tweet that i did not and it was an opportunity missed, zach tweets he should made the suggestion sooner

I added some events to our mythical CP Olympics that I participated in during my wedding and honeymoon.

i tweet i can add putting on a tux and boarding a boat offshore to the CP olympics. chris tweeted she is not wearing a dress if she gets married because you need a bunch of people to help you and the weight of the dress

Next, members discussed returning to large events in the midst of the end of the pandemic.

zach tweeted he is still avoiding large events like indians games until he knows covid is not going to surge, i tweeted i am going to money in the bank and dynamite in july and probably going to wear a mask

Finally, I described differing attitudes towards disability that I experienced on my honeymoon and gave examples of differing responses.

i tweeted it is interesting that different countries have different attitudes towards disability. i tweeted on my honeymoon i was not seen as capable, but i did get to the front of a few lines

zach asked if i had an example of not being seen as capable. i tweeted about going through the airport in antigua, but i did get to go to the front of the line at customs, zach tweeted everything has positives and negatives and that efforts to help are not always helpful.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: When do you plan on returning to attending large events? Please share your answers in the comments and join each Thursday at 8 Eastern on Twitter!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 5/26/2021

Posted on May 30, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was fire as always. Members talked about their recent accomplishments, life insurance with CP, and their plans for the summer. It was evident that members are excited for COVID to be in the rearview mirror. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap. All aboard!

First, I would like to recognize some members for their recent accomplishments. Timmy recently passed his qualifying exam to be a PhD candidate:

i ask timmy how he is doing. timmy tweets he passed his qualifying exam and is now a PhD candidate

Jorge also mentioned that he is about to graduate with his Master’s Degree from the University of Virginia:

jorge tweets t-2 weeks and then he wins the honors of honor which is graduating from the school founded by Thomas Jefferson — Jorge also tweeted about the unfortunate differences people with CP face when it comes to life insurance benefits:

jorge asked members if they knew due to cp that life insurance payouts would be reduced. zach asks what the reasoning is. jorge tweeted burden of care as not all cp cases remain stable. i tweeted that does make senes and guessed that is the case for a lot of stuff and wondered if i will get any money

Next, members talked about their varied plans for the summer.

i asked what everyone's plans are for the summer and that i'm getting married next week, veronica congratulated me and said she was stuck with the same date for way too many years, jen tweeted she doe not have much planned, zach tweeted he does not have much planned and that ohio is going back to normal june 2nd, he is planning to be cautious for about a month

Chris Johnson talked about the latest with his podcast, the Purple Knights Podcast, a podcast about Prince:

chris johnson tweeted he would like to keep up the momentum with his podcast and leave the single life behind, zach asked how he defined momentum, chris tweeted he wants to release episodes more often and continue to book well respected guests in the prince community and he has gotten some great ones lately. zach tweets he feels defined goals are easier to maintain

Finally, Chris tweeted about finishing her Master’s:

chris tweeted she is hoping to continue her masters and have it done by christmas

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What is your biggest goal for the summer?

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

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 5/12/2021

Posted on May 18, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was hopping as always. Members discussed routine tasks that are difficult for them with their CP, problematic teachers, and things they are looking forward to doing when the world returns to normal. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, Zach opened up the conversation by asking his Extend-The-Conversation Question from last week.

zach opens the conversation by asking which routine tasks feels like an olympic sport due to cp and how members adapt.

Zach shared his strategy for adapting to the routine task of carrying hot liquids:

zach mentions he adapts to the routine task of walking with a hot beverage by using his adult sippy cup, zach tweets he is unsure why he doesn't use his sippy cup around the house

I tweeted about the bane of many people with CP’s existence, buttoning a dress shirt.

i tweeted buttoning a dress shirt is difficult for me and asked for tips, veronica tweeted she buttons and zips one handed and has never had an issue, but it may be that women's button's are on the opposite side. zach tweeted they make shirts with magnetic buttons, i tweeted it reminded me of JJ's pants on speechless

Next, Tonia shared a blog post about an ableist teacher praising her parents and not her for her good report card.

tonia shares a blog post about an ableist teacher that used a report card to praise her parents, i praised her for being vulnerable, zach tweeted knowing when to ask for help is difficult as an adult, let alone being a child. he asks if the help was needed or perceived help. tonia tweeted the help was to be determined by her teacher so it was perceived help.

Finally, members discussed what they were most looking forward to when the pandemic ends:

i ask what members are most looking forward to when things go back to normal. i tweeted i am looking forward to going to sporting events. zach tweeted he is looking forward to doing in-person speaking and author events. veronica tweets she looking forward to seeing more friends and family.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question. What do you think makes a good teacher good?

Please share your answers in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on Twitter. Thanks for reading!

-Devin

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Tag Archives: cerebral palsy

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#CPChatNow Recap- 5/26/2021

#CPChatNow Recap- 5/12/2021