Helping a Coworker with Cerebral Palsy

Has a colleague recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy? If so, you may be wondering how you can help him or her through this difficult period. Here, we’ll provide some ways that you can show your support without feeling uncomfortable (or making anyone else feel awkward).

1. Be a Good Listener

If your coworker tells you he or she has cerebral palsy, don’t suddenly launch into a long monologue about your aunt who died who had the condition. Instead, keep your lips closed, nod, and just listen. Your colleague probably is very worried about the cerebral palsy diagnosis and likely wants to talk with you, not be “wowed” by your knowledge of the subject. Obviously, if he or she asks you a question, you can speak… just don’t take over the conversation.

2. Offer to Help… but Be Specific

There’s nothing wrong with offering to help a friend who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but make sure you’re specific. Don’t simply say, “Can I help you?”, as doing so puts an undue onus on the cerebral palsy victim to figure out how you can be of service. Instead, ask, “Do you need any rides to appointments? I’d love to come with you,” or, “I make a mean meatloaf and my family adores my grandmother’s lasagna recipe. Why don’t I put together some dinners so you don’t have to worry about cooking for the next few days?” That way, your friend with cerebral palsy can say “yes” or “no” to specific requests.

3. Hold Back on Gossip

The office will no doubt be buzzing with gossip, especially about your coworker’s cerebral palsy (it’s difficult to keep things like this quiet.) However, if you want to be a helpful colleague, resist the temptation to engage in discussions about the cerebral palsy. Even if you’re dying to join your office mates in a rip-roaring speculative conversation about cerebral palsy, don’t do it. By staying silent, you’ll be showing your coworker that you respect his or her privacy.

4. Be Observant

Finally, if a teammate has confided in you that he or she has cerebral palsy, make sure you’re observant. If you notice that tasks are becoming particularly difficult for him or her, ask him or her in private if they think it’s because of the cerebral palsy and, if it is, how you can help.