What Hurts the Feelings of People with Disabilities

One of the most deeply hurtful things for people with disabilities and those with special needs is being viewed through a lens of pity. We often unconsciously utter phrases such as: (“Poor thing,” “What a pity,” “May God help him,” “May God be with his parents,” “How will he manage the rest of his life?”, “Death would be a relief,” “May God choose what’s best for him,” “Hopefully, God will compensate his family”).

While a person with a disability may not inherently feel this way about themselves, they encounter these sentiments daily—whether during family visits or in public spaces. This significantly impacts their psychological well-being, fostering a sense of weakness and negative helplessness. In many cases, it leads them to isolate themselves or avoid social gatherings for fear of hearing such words or comments.

It is crucial that we remain mindful of our words and actions to ensure we do not hurt anyone within the special needs community.