Telling friends about my cp

Creed5
Creed5 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
in Cerebral Palsy Network
I am starting college next week and as I will be meeting new people, I was wondering should I tell them about my disability from the start or wait a few weeks. Also what is the best advice you can give to a college student who has cerebral palsy 

Many thanks 

Comments

  • niceboots
    niceboots Scope Member Posts: 198 Empowering
    Hi, although it’s a few years since I was at college, I’d say just be yourself! I didn’t talk much about my cp when I was at college unless people asked or it came up in conversation as I like to think it doesn’t define me as a person, it’s just a part of me. That said I am always open about it and happy and confident to talk about cp if it comes up. 
    As for advice, I’d say take any support you can get academically, it’s there to help! Unfortunately I didn’t, and my grades reflected that! And most importantly, enjoy the experiences that come your way! I’d say college years were the best time of my life! I met great people and had great fun.
    Best of luck!
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,699 Cerebral Palsy Network
    Hello @Creed5
    Welcome to Scope's online community. Like @niceboots has said, I would talk about your CP if and when asked. Just enjoy college!

  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @Creed5! I too have cerebral palsy and am about to start my final year of university. Before I started uni I too was worried about this. I have found that it doesn't have to be a big thing. If people question anything then I tell them about my CP, but not in too much detail. I hope you enjoy college! :)
  • arichmond
    arichmond Online Community Member Posts: 14 Connected
    Hi @Creed5 I hope your first few weeks of college have gone well! As the others in this post have said, talk to people about your CP  if and when you want to, and just enjoy it as a new adventure and chance to learn and meet new people! :smile:
  • WilliamWalker
    WilliamWalker Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    I would say you are more worried about how people asking about it will make you feel sad and scared, so you want to preempt people. I think you should empathize with how you feel when people ask about your cerebral palsy, understand and prepare yourself emotionally for those feelings, then you don't get upset or annoyed at people with asking, and if you do get upset or annoyed that is okay. Key thing is caring about yourself. 

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