Very good thread. My belief is that people do these things out of their own ignorance, that and not being taught by their parents how rude it is to stare at people who struggle with disability. I used to hear children in the street comment about me, whilst their parents just stood and listened. I am not sure how much further the world has moved on since I was little, but obviously from your thread it seems the world can't have moved on that much.

I have the same problems at school and i always have. after school i teach piano at a music school and the students and even the parents ssometimes can be really rude about my disability. i think its just a lack of understanding and a lack of knowledge. i think the best thing we can do is just be ourselves, spread awareness, and just ignore the rudeness and realize that its something that will never go away. we just have to find the right friends because not everyone is rude like that

I believe it is ignorance and plain rudeness. My son had a very difficult time specially in middle school. He doesn't have any obvious signs except for a very mild limp. So, they couldn't even understand why he is uncoordinated and a bit slow in his movements. It was extremely painful to watch how much he hurt. ((Hugs))

I wish pple understood.
Theire needs to be more awareness, I could b walking down the street, and people just stare.
I have a mild ataxia, And even the police stop me, cause they think im drunk.

I finally got a medica tag that shows my name and disabilaty,

You should probably look into somthing like that.

you may want to look up david ring. he is a motivational speaker with C.P who really was an encouragement to me as a teen growing up with spastic quadriplegic C.P. I find when I carry myself with confidence instead of being insecure peoples attitudes toward me change.(Or maybe it's just my attitude that changes)

i agree that people are ignorant and not taught. I went through this growing up as well. Today I can look back and realize that there was not enough info out there as there is now, many people who teased me had low self esteem so they teased, beat me up to make themselves feel better. I am friend today with many of the people who hurt me in the past. I forgave them. They just were not eductated enough to know better5 and I was not educated on how to handle or accept the situation....

I know how you feel! People made fun of me all the time in Elementary school and high school. Things got so much better when I went to college...it seemed like people were more mature and had more to do with their day than just watch for differences. That is how I saw it. People were wonderful to me in college and I think a grand total of one person actually noticed the scar on my leg (from the heel lengthening surgery). I graduated and moved back to my hometown for work and people have started to bully me about my disability at work! When I explained what cp was, it didn't get any better so I had to get the boss involved. Things got a little better. I think people just need to know what it is. My boss was fantastic about it. I hope I helped.

It is because people have negative stereotypes in their mind! I worked at Target as a cashier and kids have asked me questions and the parents are embarrassed bc of their kids. They feel sorry for me sometimes. I think it's bc ppl are afraid to ask questions, so they don't know or understand! my dad knows a woman that got put away in a nursing home in the 70s bc ppl didn't understand cp! It can only get better if ppl talk about it. (it's getting there, thank goodness they don't do that anymore) If ppl explain to kids real young differences and diversity it will help to stop that crap!

I've never had that issue, but i did have to work especially hard to establish myself in the athletics part of school. my teammates noticed something was different with me, but through those sports I earned their respect. The cool thing was I knew (and still know) that they got my back even when others may try to say crap about my limp or whatever. It was very frustrating at times and I did sometimes want to give up but I'm so glad i didn't. I'm 19 now and coaching my former team. if anyone wants to add me that's cool.

i just joined this site but ive had alot of expereience with that you are talking about. i think "normal" people are so rude about disabilities because they dont understand it. recently i moved back into my ex boyfriends housed and a few yrs ago his brother in law was one of those people that constintly made fun of me for the way i walked and everything and finally the other day after not speaking for a few yrs he sat down with me and asked me why i am the way i am and why i have all the scares i do and everything it was really cool. i think everyone just needs to be educated about it.

I felt the same way when i was elementary as well. When i got made fun people would knock me down, spit at me, call me cruel names, and tell me that i am a disase and i am a retard! Now at 25 i still am struggling with the scars from being made fun of. I really want to forgive the ones that picked on me all those years!!

It simple anything different scares people, When people see someone different then themselves they become uncomfortable. I was once told that the masses are asses. Meaning in general people don't think. Try to let things slide holding on to others indiffernces will make you angry & bitter. Ben there it takes to much energy.

People made fun of me all the time, some even thew rocks at me as walked down the street, I do not have trouble talking but I do have issues with my balance. It not you, people just like to pick on who they think are weakest. In adulthood I just learn to react to it better. Some of those same people today act like we were best of friends. LoL
Stay Strong ! Have a nice day