2021

Posted on March 23, 2021 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was happening as always. Members discussed positives that were occurring in their life and how their disability has helped them stand out. We are also proud to announce our Family Reunion Focus Chat! This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

First, we are excited to announce our Family Reunion Focus Chat. Please join us Wednesday (3/24) on Twitter to reconnect (or connect!) with #CPChatNow community members, both longtime and new!

zach tweets announcing the #cpchatnow family reunion for march 24th. there is a graphic announcing the reunion and inviting people too join

Next, I would like to recognize Dick Hoyt’s death. Dick and his son Rick who has CP have inspired many by their participation in marathons and triathlons.

i recognize the death of dick hoyt and share a link to his obituary, there is a picture of him pushing his son rick.

zach tweets dick hoyt's death made him think of ultimate warrior's promo before his death. dick hoyt helped others believe and made their blood pulse through their body.

Zach also asked members about a positive in their week. Tonia shared a blog post she wrote in the past week about 10 things no one tells you about aging with CP. I can definitely agree with number 3!

zach asked what about a positive thing from member's past week's. tonia shares a new blog post about 10 things no one tells you about aging with cp.

Finally, Zach asked members how their disability has helped them standout.

zach asks how member's disabilities have helped them standout and excel. i tweeted it has given me an opportunity to share my story with others and build relationships. zach tweets he can say the same thing and his cp gave him a purpose, more than clocking in and out of a job. — Chris also shared her favorite quote about disability regarding being open to differences and fighting for social justice as the ways she tries to standout.

chris tweets about her favorite quote from an activist and social worker with CP, there is an image of the quote, zach tweets he feels he is a better friend to others because he is more open minded and willing to listen, chris tweets she likes the quote because she feels the memoir is the first time she is reading about herself or her experiences

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: How has your disability helped you excel? Please share your answers in the comments and join us next Wednesday, March 24th for our Family Reunion Focus Chat on Twitter at 8 PM Eastern.

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 7/3/2019

Posted on July 9, 2019 by devinaxtman

It was the day before the 4th of July and #CPChatNow brought the fireworks as usual. Members talked about fireworks, disability podcasts, wheelchair seats at sporting events, and just how far you mind can help overcome your disability. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride of this week’s recap.

First, members talked about fireworks themselves. Fireworks are also known as the bane of existence when you have the Cerebral Palsy startle reflex.

Zach asked if fireworks startled members. Jen stated they do and Daryl Perry agreed

Next, Zach brought up the cool story of Peter Kline. He has completed 45 marathons with disabled rider athletes. Well done Mr. Kline!

Zach posts about Peter Kline completing 45 marathons with different rider athletes

Paul Miller and Addiengeorge tweeted their appreciation towards Peter Kline

I would like to highlight one of my favorite podcasts (disability or otherwise), the Disability Visibility podcast. The podcast is hosted by Alice Wong and looks at different issues surrounding disability:

I recommend the Disability Visibility podcast. Zach recognized the host, Alice Wong, from the #CripTheVote chats.

Next, members talked about wheelchair seats at sporting events. Chris is going to an Indy Car race in Portland in September. She talked about an organization, @halfaccess, where people can post about the accessibility of a venue.

Zach tweeted about going to Bowling for Soup but being concerned about standing room only conditions. I reported it sucked when other people stood up when I had wheelchair seats and newer stadiums with elevated seats tended to be better. Chris tweeted about an organization called halfaccess that catalogue accessibility

Finally, #CPChatNow was tagged in an intriguing question by @cpandm. They asked if it was OK to be frustrated by others saying, “The body will do what you decide to make it do.” In other words, whether it is OK to be frustrated by your mind not being able to will your body to do things.

I responded to @cpandm's question. They felt frustrated since they can't will themselves to walk. I posted that the body doing what the mind wants it to do is unrealistic and that the will can't overcome things.

Zach's answer was that every case is different and the realm of possibility is different and that we need to listen to our bodies.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: How do you know when your body is telling you you’re at your limit? Share your answer in the comments and join us each Wednesday at 8 Eastern on #CPChatNow.

Thanks for reading!

-Devin

#CPChatNow Recap- 4/24/2019

Posted on April 30, 2019 by devinaxtman

Hello Internet! #CPChatNow was buzzing last week. Members talked about walking in the rain, their favorite photo of themselves, and the need for rails while using stairs.

Zach and I lamented about recent experiences while walking and rolling in the rain.

i tweeted about needing a wheelchair umbrella and my poncho died on the way home, zach tweeted he needed a hat umbrella and that kind people recently gave him a ride home

Next, Zach shared one of his favorite photos of himself being near his goal of completing a marathon:

zach sharing his favorite photo of him passing mile marker 25 during his marathon

Zach asked about what side of the street members with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy prefer to face. This then morphed into a conversation about stairs and handrails:

zach asked about which side of the street members with hemiplegic cp prefer to face. jeni tweeted no preference, but she prefers to walk on the inside of the sidewalk if possible

ciaran tweeted he likes to have a railing on his unaffected side, zach tweeted he likes his good leg facing the street, zach goes without railings to build his balance, i tweeted lack of railings was an issue at wrigley field

zach tweeted he has been to wrigley and saw the cubs and brewers play in 2013 when he only went up one steps. zach also lamented the gap between gymnasium rails and the strategy he uses to move to the next rail

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Questions (for the hemis): Are there particular things you like to do with you non-affected side?

Thanks for reading! Join us each Wednesday at 8pm Eastern on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPChatNow!

#CPChatNow Recap- 8/29/2018

Posted on September 5, 2018 by devinaxtman

This past week in #CPChatNow was bustling as always. This is #CPChatNow co-host, Devin Axtman, taking you along for the ride on this week’s recap.

Zach announced that he is going to do a 5K as a warm up to another marathon in October:

Zach announcing he has registered for the Helping Hands Heroes 5K which benefits the hospital where he had surgery

Members also talked about doing a Real Housewives of CP program:

Rachel tweeted there should be a real housewives of CP program. Heather said for enough money she could learn to be catty. Zach shared a Ted Dibase gif

Jen and Hannah talked about Hannah’s dog Levi walking alongside her walker at PetSmart:

Jen asked how Levi is doing with the walker training. Hannah said they haven't done it again

Finally, Zach talked about a moment at work when he accidentally pushed over a book cart a la WWE wrestler Braun Stroman:

Zach talks about accidentally flipping over a book cart at work.

Please join us every Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern on Twitter at #CPChatNow!

#CPChatNow Recap- 10-11-2017

Posted on October 18, 2017 by zacharyfenell

Celebratory vibes pulsed through the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, October 11th, 2017. I am co-host Zachary Fenell and I am here to recap the congratulatory messages and laughter. Admittedly the night failed to start on an uplifting note. Participants remained emotionally drained from difficult weeks. They hoped others possessed better moods. A hope I could fulfill.

Finishing the Towpath Marathon’s entire 26.2-mile course the previous Sunday (October 8th, 2017) left me entering the chat still maintaining positive momentum. The congratulations given by the #CPChatNow community continued the cheerful feedback I received since October 8th. Many people knew my story heading into the marathon due to a news article published in Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer.

After jokingly hassling me for my self-centered focus, Susanne Kate Brasset gave her approval on the piece. Susanne specifically liked my point calling normal a myth. Take a read yourself and form your own opinion, “A Man, His Cane, and 26.2 ‘Unreasonable’ Miles to Prove His Own Doubts Wrong.”

Meanwhile my co-host Devin Axtman expressed interest in the details relating to my near 12-hour walk.

Particularly Devin wondered what I ate and if I took any breaks. Enough marathon talk nonetheless! We discussed other subjects too! In fact I announced our October focus chat guest. One #CPChatNow co-founder and original co-host Handicap This! piped up to call a “great get.”

Current co-host Jorge Oteiza played a vital role in scheduling the Dr. Karen Pape focus chat. Dr. Pape possesses an incredible reputation as a groundbreaking and innovating clinical neuroscientist. We excitedly welcome her to #CPChatNow.

While groundbreaking and innovating work in the medical field stands important, do not forget the basics. The cliche “laughter is the best medicine” comes to mind. Laughter’s value emerged a hot topic Wednesday, October 11th.

Like Susanne states, laughter emits much positive energy. Perhaps you rely on a certain joke to get you laughing amidst rough times. Tell us that joke by answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

“What is your go-to joke you tell yourself when you need to laugh?”

Share by commenting below. I’m ready to begin laughing hysterically.

Until next time #CPChatNow!

-Zachary

#CPChatNow

Online community for those with cerebral palsy!

Tag Archives: marathon