Every Wednesday individuals in the cerebral palsy (CP) community hop on X to participate in the weekly chat #CPChatNow. Communal vibes remained strong Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 as participants shared news and offered one another support. To delve into the details, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Welcome to your weekly recap!
Early in the night my co-host Devin Axtman shared some news which provoked different emotions.
Devin posted, “I get my new wheelchair August 2nd. About 4 months after I started the process.” Excited for Devin, Jen responded, “That’s awesome.”
Meanwhile, I expressed frustration by commenting, “About time I guess.” My frustration rooted in thinking getting a new wheelchair should not take so long. Admittedly though, some tasks do take time. Tasks you could refer to as long-term goals. A subject I would bring up that evening.
Curious, I asked the chat, “What is a long-term goal you are currently working towards?” Jen replied in-part, “I guess try to get out of a long dark funk.”
Devin responded to Jen with encouragement, saying, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that goal.” I compounded the support, adding “That is actually a great goal. A good goal focuses on improving yourself and that certainly is a way to improve yourself.”
How about we continue to focus on good goals and keep the conversation going? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What is a long-term goal you are currently working towards?”
Answer below! Afterwards, set a reminder to join our community each and every Wednesday on X. The fun starts at 8pm ET.
Communal vibes emanated from the weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, February 16th, 2022. Here to tell you more, I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Let us get to recapping!
Admittedly, I am a bit hesitant in compiling this recap. My hesitancy rooted in concerns I will come across too self-promotional. As you might know, I had remained hard at work on a new book over the last two years. Well, on Wednesday, February 16th I revealed my upcoming book’s cover and title.
Seeing how #CPChatNow has been so supportive and encouraging of me as I've worked on my next book, I wanted to first share my book's title and cover with you. #DrumRollpic.twitter.com/955mYsLJUu
I first posted the reveal in #CPChatNow to show my gratitude for all the support the community has given me throughout the process. Count on me to continue to provide updates as Slow and Cerebral nears release (most likely late March).
Elsewhere in the chat, I also supplied an update on a long-time community member.
Hannah asked me to share some bad news regarding her health. Those in our community rallied around Hannah and sent well wishes her way. Personally, I noticed a parallel between us rallying around Hannah and celebrating Slow and Cerebral‘s reveal.
Essentially, I compared the night’s chat to a roller coaster. Commenting that amidst the highs and lows, one constant remained. Community!
Throughout the ride, we enjoyed other lively discussion. Stephen, an enthusiastic chat participant, helped spark this dialogue.
Stephen asked the group what is one thing they like about CP. I answered saying CP has acted as a filter, letting me know what friends I can count on. Overall though, responses varied.
My co-host Devin Axtman credited CP for making him more adaptable and less upset by setbacks. Meanwhile Jessica replied, saying CP has helped her to show empathy and compassion to others. What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer as the extend-the-conversation question, “What do you like about cerebral palsy?”
Answer in the “Comments.” Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun begins at 8pm ET.
The weekly cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow lives! Or, for accuracy I, co-host Zachary Fenell, should say thrives! Yes. Despite the lull in recaps throughout November, our community has been going strong. Do not simply take my word though. Let me show you by recapping our chat from Wednesday, November 24th, 2021.
Enthusiastic newcomer Stephen has helped our community garner a thriving atmosphere.
Stephen learned about our chat from long-time #CPChatNow regular and “Life with Blemi” Youtube personality Blemi. In the few weeks since joining our family Stephen has grown thankful for our community, saying “I look forward to this every week.” Sentiments Stephen shared after asking participants what they are thankful for.
Other answers included Blemi saying she is thankful for everything she currently has. Plus, my co-host Devin Axtman said he is thankful for finally being married after COVID postponed his wedding in 2020. Marriage and relationships in general would continue as a discussion topic.
Both Devin and Blemi offered Stephen dating wisdom. Devin noting that although meeting someone is tough, it is possible. Touting as evidence the fact multiple people in our community are married or are in relationships. Bottom line, Devin advised “Try and have fun!”
Meanwhile Blemi provided similar advice. Seconding how dating is tough and can seem even harder with cerebral palsy. Nonetheless, you could still find someone. She recommended keeping an “open mind and putting yourself out there.”
Participants’ open minds remained apparent throughout the night November 24th. In addition to dating and what we are thankful for, various topics arose.
Amongst the assorted topics, Blemi asked if anyone has sleep apnea. A question spurred by a doctor telling her sleep apnea is very common in the CP community. News to many in the chat! Long-time chat regular Jen and I each responded negatively, at least stipulating we do not think so. What about you? Keep the conversation going and answer for the extend-the-conversation question “Do you have sleep apnea?” Reply in the “Comments” section.
Maybe your reaction to the sleep apnea-cerebral palsy news echoes Sean who stated “Is it?! That would explain a few things…” However you reacted, do not let the news cause you to fall over in surprise. Anyway, speaking of falling,
After watching my co-worker fall and hurt herself earlier in the week, I asked the chat if anyone else finds seeing others fall to be unsettling. This diverged into further dialogue about reactions when we ourselves fall. Sean mentioning his mother’s reaction to when she hears a thud. She yells “Scream or bang on something if you need me.” Otherwise, she resumes whatever she was doing.
A similar reaction to how the people in Blemi’s life respond. Blemi sharing those close to her will just carry on when she falls. Unless Blemi starts laughing. The laughter an indicator she hurt herself.
Now, we all know better then to tell someone “Don’t fall.” Nevertheless, let me suggest avoiding falling in with a forgetful crowd. Instead, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. “Do you have sleep apnea?”
Answer below! Afterwards set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on Twitter. The fun starts at 8pm ET. In the meantime I will return within the week to recap our chat from Wednesday, December 1st, 2021.
#CPChatNow 