Illness and Disability

Do you know someone with an illness or disability?

People with chronic illnesses and disabilities are just like you and me; so you should treat them just like you would treat anyone else or want to be treated yourself. If you meet someone new who has an illness or disability, greet him/her as you would any new person you meet. You may have to change your greeting a little depending on the type of illness or disability. If the person you are meeting is blind, try to remember that he/she can only hear your voice and cannot see how you are moving your hands or other body language. If the person is in a wheelchair, try to put yourself at his/her eye level.

Helpful hints when meeting friends with disabilities from Easter Seals

My parent/grandparent has an illness or disability
My sister/brother has an illness or disability
One of my friends has an illness or disability

Return to Illness and Disability Main Page

Other Illness and Disability pages:
Types of illness and disability
Born with an illness or disability
Learning you have an illness or disability
Living with an illness or disability
Rehabilitation
Becoming independent
Games and activities
Medical issues
Medical terms
Do you know someone with an illness or disability?
For more information...

girlshealth.gov Glossary

Last updated June 2007