If You Didn’t Laugh, You’d Cry.

Although my disability is not invisible it can often be mistaken for the consequences of a skiing accident or a broken leg. When walking with my crutches I am often asked by well-meaning strangers “what have you done?”. When caught on an occasional bad day, this question can illicit feelings of insecurity and sorrow but most often it produces much hilarity.  People’s reactions when I inform them that I have cerebral palsy are priceless. Stumbling around awkwardly for an appropriate response, they often apologise or reply “well, you’re doing well” or more commonly simply smile and walk away, lamenting whatever part of their brain compelled them to ask a total stranger this question.  By far the funniest response to my declaration that I have CP was given by one lady who said “you have lovely hair though” like that makes up for my brain injury. I mean, she wasn’t wrong. I do have nice hair.