I would like to introduce myself as a woman with a condition called cerebral palsy. I have not ever found it rude to have a person ask me what is my handicap or disability. It bothers me to have children look at me and see my leg brace on my right leg sometimes but I am learning how to deal with that in time. When someone asks me what my disability/handicap, I usually don’t fret on how the question comes. I have such a mild case of cerebral palsy that I walk with a slight gait/limp because my leg is a 1/2 inch shorter than my left and I have a 15 to 20 degree bend in my right arm at the elbow. I can walk fairly well without a leg brace while sitting around the house but for great distances and going outside the home I wear my leg brace all the time.
I am also a young woman with a kidney transplant thirteen years behind me as well. I take medication to prevent the kidney from wanting to leave my system – calling it a “rejection” and my kidney transplant is behind far enough that it will not reject unless I have a virus or blood infection that will affect the organs in my body.
Avonleaf – It was fine that you asked. Don’t ever be afraid to ask me anything that is important. Also, I too have a weak right ankle because I have torn ligaments when I was about 12 – present, so my leg brace helps me walk great distances and keeps me from twisting it again. My CP did not affect my ankle whatsoever.
