Meeting and Talking to Someone with Cerebral Palsy

New York-based safety professional Keith Walter Pillich handles environmental, health, and safety (EHS) processes around the world as an EHS specialist and manager for Vlado Engineering. A resident of the Buffalo, New York suburb of Amherst, he spends much of his free time volunteering. Keith W. Pillich focuses largely on supporting disabled veterans and people who have cerebral palsy.

When you meet someone with cerebral palsy or any other disability, it’s important to remember that these individuals are adults, just like anyone else. Give them the same respect and speak to them as you would a friend. However, it’s best to stay away from saying the following things:

“With a positive attitude, you can do anything.”

Positivity does help people in difficult situations feel better, but it cannot cure a disability. Saying this, or a variation of it, diminishes a person’s disability because they cannot wish away cerebral palsy, no matter how positive they are.

“What’s wrong with you?”

People who have cerebral palsy or another disability have nothing wrong with them. They have feelings, thoughts, and emotions like all people. Such statements imply that they are different or “wrong” in the world when they aren’t.

“You’re an inspiration.”

If someone does something in their life that is inspiring to you, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, saying this isn’t an issue. It becomes a problem when you tell people with cerebral palsy that they are inspiring just because they go about their everyday lives like anyone else.

“I feel so bad for you.”

People with cerebral palsy or another disability must do things differently than most people. Yet this doesn’t mean they want to be pitied. Nor does it mean they are presenting you with a sad story when they discuss their experiences in life.