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Is it acceptable to offer help to a disabled person?



From my perspective, I am a very stubborn and independent person whilst I'm going about my everyday life, but there are some chores I do need help with for my safety. I have rarely cooked for myself, except when cooking microwave meals, I live with my parents, and my mother will not let me anywhere near the kitchen. The cooker is OUT OF BOUNDS at all costs, especially after a night out! Admittedly, I am a 'human' health and safety hazard.


So my answer to offering a disabled person help is 'YES'! It's natural. It's in our human nature, well, in most people's intuitive nature anyway. You always know who the good people are in this world because they will always be there in your times of need, no matter what.


It's all about respecting the disabled person's wishes and boundaries. For example, while crossing the road, once I had a random person grab my arm, they physically raced me across the street. Still, what they didn't see that both sets of traffic had acknowledged me, and importantly I had recognised and thanked them for safely letting me cross the road even before being handled. I had that particular situation under control, I had assessed the risks myself, and I knew that I could cross the street. Also, being randomly and unwittingly handled isn't a charming experience.


Back to my point about respecting disabled people's boundaries, in the act of promoting #beingkind, it is always lovely being offered help from a friend or from someone who is passing me by in the street. Please try and momentarily take a step back and ask me, 'Are you ok? Can I offer you any assistance?' Then if you get a reply being 'NO THANK YOU,' this means that I am competent within the situation or with the task that I am undertaking, so please respect my wishes or boundaries.


In my humble opinion and personally, I will always accept your help, especially if something is out of the realms of my capabilities which does occur from time to time. Please ask if I need any help beforehand and not assume that I am struggling. Having cerebral palsy may look like what I am doing is a struggle because I'm doing that particular chore a little slower or in a different way to other people. I am doing it that way because it's the way I am comfortable.


P.S. We all have 'bad days,' so if I do happen to bite your head off when you ask if I need any help, then give me a Snickers chocolate bar!! LMAO!!!


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