Tag Archives: community

#CPChatNow Recap- 06-22-2016

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Community shined during our weekly Twitter chat Wednesday, June 22nd.  I am co-host Zachary Fenell tasked to bring you the recap. This includes exploring the different communal elements, like encouragement and inspiration. The latter kicked off the night.

Members in the #CPChatNow share how they are becoming more physically active.To see Devin and Hannah refer to my walking as at a certain “level” made me smile. Erin though hit on an important factor.

You are in competition with no one but yourself.Discussion about physical activity continued as the topic transitioned to physical therapy (PT). Not everyone enjoys a positive history with PT. Enter the need for our community to provide encouragement.

#CPChatNow discusses PT's importance.PT or no PT you can still find ways to stay physically active with cerebral palsy.

#CPChatNow co-host Zachary Fenell discusses the exercises he does at home.In order to help others visualize reverse crunches I shared the following.

Since I started doing reverse crunches daily I feel stronger in my abs. As a result I am better able to catch my balance whenever I stumble.

Obviously, I am not the only one with cerebral palsy who exercises at home. So shall we open up the dialogue? Answer Devin’s question for the extend-the-conversation question. “Do you do any exercises at home?”

If yes, please give an example. Follow the usual routine and respond in the “Comments” section.

Moving forward allow me to return to the community theme. A community offers comfortableness and a safe place to share. Erin did exactly that, tweeting out a link to her recent blog post.

Erin shares a personal, emotional blog post.Keep the conversation going! Answer the extend-the-conversation question.Read Erin’s emotional post here. However, first remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question. “Do you do exercises at home?”

Reply in the “Comments” section below. If you answer yes, give an example!

Also consider purchasing a #CPChatNow sleeveless performance t shirt. Made by Sport-Tek, the performance shirt remains ideal for physical activity. Or, explore the other shirt styles available. Sale ends July 11th!

Tweet you tonight!

-Zachary

 

#CPChatNow Recap – Breaking Down Stereotypes Focus Chat

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I am co-host Blake Henry back again to bring you the June Focus Chat recap. This week we welcomed special guest, Zach Wood to break down stereotypes about cerebral palsy.

Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 6.20.31 PMThe change in the chat time made me feel like I was on a time zone vacation to California. We normally chat every Wednesday from 8-10PM ET, however, to accommodate our guest we moved the time to 5-7PM ET.

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I wasted no time asking Zach Wood the first question of the night to break the ice and learn more about his mission of “Breaking Down Stereotypes.”

Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 6.21.28 PMZach was eager to share his creative genius behind The Disability Gang.

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My co-host Zachary Fenell had a question that was right up our special guest’s alley.

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Erin Muse shared the stereotype she comes in contact with way too often. It is time to educate and leave ignorant people in the dust.Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 6.26.12 PM

Hannah Pike also shared with the community of her struggles with stereotypes.

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Who is behind my co-host Zachary Fenell and thinks we should use our creative juices and create a funky wheelchair Public Service Announcement?

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Do you ever get tired of 100 questions about cerebral palsy? Well, many of us do too and some days we just want to run away and go hide. Maybe the next big #CPChatNow creation is a resource of answers to those 100 questions.

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Our special guest Zach Wood brings up a great point. Regardless, if we created resources there will always be that one idiot who fails to listen and learn.

Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 6.32.44 PMZach asks another great question that has been on the back burner for some time. Many of us face insults from children and adults alike, who are mean lumpy eggs.

Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 6.38.05 PMMy co-host said he usually receives warm curious questions about his awkward gait.

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Erin said that she does not mind the curiosity and children mean no harm in their questions.

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Zach quickly chimes in again to share his mission of breaking down stereotypes and educating.

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Remember that our long anticipated #CPChatNow gear is now finally available at Custom Cat. You have until July 9th to purchase your desired products. Learn more about the sale.

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Time to dispel your own stereotypes. Go ahead and answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“What is the worst stereotype you have encountered?”

Leave your answer in the “Comments” section

Respond by commenting below.

Don’t forget to give Zach a big thank you for breaking down cerebral palsy stereo types with us.

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Thanks for your participation in this month’s #CPChatNow Focus Chat.

See you soon,

Blake

#CPChatNow Recap- 04-20-2016

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Every week the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow demonstrates our community’s multi-faceted nature. Hi, co-host Zachary Fenell here to dissect what that means. Allow me to do so by recapping the April 20th Twitter chat.

When I tell someone about #CPChatNow, I use the phrase “online support group for those with cerebral palsy.” The way we provide support proves multi-faceted. We offer an open forum to ask questions and better understand CP.

Has anyone dealt with stress fractures?CPChatNow's stress fractures discussion transitions to talk about falls.Plus we work as a problem solving think tank.

CPChatNow discusses possible accommodations in an effort to problem solve a fellow community member's challenge.Then the weekly Twitter chat also supplies a chance to bond over cerebral palsy related commonalities!

#CPChatNow community members chat about physical education modifications.Personally I want as many people possible to enjoy #CPChatNow’s supports. Hence I started the extend-the-conversation question. You do not need Twitter or any social media to participate! Simply read the recap and leave a comment to answer the week’s question. This time around answer the following.

“What modifications, if any, did you receive for PE?”

Moving on, our multi-faceted supports leaves community members holding #CPChatNow in high regards. Even to the point where internationally people partake at crazy hours!

Ela joins in #CPChatNow at 3am!Come experience our incredible community for yourself! We give you the opportunity every Wednesday at 8pm ET. Join us on Facebook too. Like the CPChatNow Facebook fan page! There we post cerebral palsy related articles daily.

Keep the conversation going! Answer "What modifications, if any, did you receive for PE?"Finally, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“What modifications, if any, did you receive for PE?”

Respond by leaving a comment below!

Thanks for checking out the recap.

-Zachary

P.S. To read the aforementioned sample from my memoir, just visit Off Balanced‘s Amazon sales page.

#CPChatNow Recap- 04-13-2016

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Inclusive education and advocating for accessibility remained the main topics discussed during the April 13th #CPChatNow. Hi! Delayed greetings again from co-host Zachary Fenell. At least by now you know to expect the weekly recap mere hours before the next chat. A pattern I plan to change very soon.

Enough opening banter though! Let us look back at the prior week’s Twitter chat. I actually guest hosted a different Twitter chat the previous day. On Tuesday, April 12th I received the opportunity to ask teachers questions courtesy the inclusive education chat #iechat. Afterwards I decided to re-phrase my questions so I could ask them during #CPChatNow too.

April 12th's #IEchat questions re-worked for #CPChatNow discussion.The discussion led to reminiscing about old assistive technology no longer used.

Do you remember alpha smarts?My co-host Blake Henry raised an important point when answering the third inclusive education question.

Blake brings up the importance of learning styles.Blake’s comment transitions us to today’s extend-the-conversation question. “How would you describe your learning style?” Answer in the “Comments” section!

Additionally, as noted earlier, advocating for accessibility grew to become a popular topic last Wednesday.

#CPChatNow brainstorms ideas to help community member advocate for accessibility.Personally I think Hannah’s frustrating situation spotlights the importance for our community. She can come and vent to people who actually understand the situation. Plus we help each other out, aiming to create change. Ultimately we provide emotional support and practical advice. Quite the duo!

Feel free to join in and reap our fruits. #CPChatNow takes place on Twitter every Wednesday starting at 8pm ET. For those not on Twitter, Blake and I continue to provide opportunities for you to participate in our community. We share cerebral palsy stories daily on our Facebook fan page. Like the page and interact with what we share!

How would you describe your learning style?

Join the conversation and answer in the “Comments” section!

The weekly extend-the-conversation question also supplies opportunity to partake in our community. So make sure you answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “How would you describe your learning style?”

Again answer in the “Comments” section.

As always thank you for reading the recap and for your interest in #CPChatNow.

Sincerely,

-Zachary