laynners's

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This is kind of awful, but I'm a little scared of people with physical or mental problems... like I hate going to the old folks's home because many of the occupants are either physically messed up or not all there. I don't feel comfortable talking to them, or anyone with an obvious physical ailment, like if they are in a wheelchair or have cerebral palsy. I also have a hard time around mentally handicapped people- I just don't know what to do with myself! I don't feel comfortable, I try to be polite and smile, but I know everyone can tell that I'm not used to it/ not comfortable. What do I do???? Please help... I want to be more at ease around people that have these ailments. I realize that they are the same as me and deserve every bit of respect that I can give, but still... Any advice would be appreciated!

The best piece of advice I can offer is this, to just treat them the way you would want to be treated. Put yourself in their shoes. They know that they are different, but all they really want is to be treated as if they weren't disabled. They are comfortable with their problems, and feel "normal". They are normal.
Just look past the problem and get to know them. Once you do you won't even see their disability anymore.

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