I'm romantically interested in a girl with CP, but I know very little of the condition

As the title says, I'm interested in a girl who has cerebral palsy but I know very little of what CP actually is, what it does or doesn't. How do you work around it?

Naturally, this varies a lot from person to person. I haven't really asked her, let's call her Lily, too much about it either as I'm not sure how comfortable she is with talking about it. When I've asked about things related she does answer, and seems to want to but is also clearly very embarrased about it. Now, I've tried to convey the idea that if I actually thought she was weird or disgusting (which she sometimes ignorantly seem to think that she is), or just generally not accepting her for who she was I wouldn't spend so much time with her. (I've never put it that bluntly to her though)

What I know about Lilys situation: She's using a wheelchair, though she can walk with the help of something to hold on to, if every so slowly. She also has a minor speech impediment. Her upper body seems to work as well as that of any other person.

So, to be perfectly honest, I never before considered anyone in a wheelchair and certainly not someone with CP, as much as I hate to admit it. I've never before been around people with any real handicaps or physical disabilities other than temporarily when someone in the team or a friend has a broken leg or such. I guess that even as I did consider myself pretty open-minded I still had some prejudices that I didn't want to admit to, and probably still do. I suppose part of that comes from the fact that I previously never had been around many disabled people, until I got to know Lily this spring.

As far as CP goes, what should I know?

What's the proper way to deal with someone being stuck in a wheelchair? Do I ask to help, or do I just ignore the fact? I don't want to seem condescending, nor do I want to act as I don't care when I really do care. I'm sure there's some form of etiquette that I should follow but I'm completely oblivious of.

I'm using a throwaway account because Lily knows my normal account and regularly browse on my laptop

Posted Dec 3, 2015, 12:16 AM UTC

1010
Loading comments…