Tag Archives: disability pride month

#CPChatNow Recap- 07-03-2024

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Every Wednesday people in the cerebral palsy (CP) community gather on X for the weekly chat #CPChatNow. To tell you all about the discussion from Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 I am chat co-host Zachary Fenell. Come aboard and join me for your weekly recap.

As participants welcomed in the new month, chatter turned to calendar orientated occasions. A holiday like July Fourth, but also more.

#CPChatNow participants discuss July being Disability Pride Month.

That more included Disability Pride Month. Curious, I asked the chat how much they know about Disability Pride Month. My co-host Devin Axtman admitted, “Well, I didn’t know it was Disability Pride Month to start. I know about the (Disability Pride) flag though.”

Meanwhile Veronica shared a Cerebral Palsy Alliance graphic explaining, “Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July as a result of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law on July 26, 1990. It celebrates inclusion and the experiences of all disabled people.”

Delving further into specifics I referenced a post I read from The Arc, “Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month.” Information from the post led me to pose a question to our community.

The #CPChatNow community discusses the 2024 theme for Disability Pride Month, "We want a life like yours."

In-particular I highlighted from The Arc post the 2024 theme for Disability Pride Month, “We want a life like yours.” As The Arc notes, the theme “reflects the disability community’s dreams for life experiences that they are too often denied.” Playing off that, I asked, “What experiences have you been denied due to CP?”

Veronica responded, “I was denied a letter for sports. My youngest got one for academic excellence. I wish my high school had that option.” Sports ended up proving a common theme as both Devin and I mentioned not getting the chance to play sports like we wanted. How about you though? Keep the conversation going and answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “What experiences have you been denied due to CP?”

Answer below in the “Comments” section. Afterwards, set a reminder to join us each and every Wednesday on X. The fun begins at 8pm ET.

Until then, remember. Don’t blend in. Blend out!

-Zachary

Answer for the week's extend-the-conversation question, "What experiences have you been denied due to CP?"

#CPChatNow Recap- 7/14/2021

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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