Woman with cerebral palsy calls for more open discussions about disability

A widely shared radio clip that sparked debate about attitudes toward people with disabilities has prompted a North Jutland woman to speak out about the need for greater openness, reports Danish broadcaster DR.

Louise Eriksen, who lives in Godthåb and has cerebral palsy, says she wishes people would talk more directly about disability rather than using humour as a coping mechanism. “I experience that most people have a kind of hesitation around my disability and wrap it in humour because it’s easier to joke about it a little,” she told DR.

Instead of avoiding the topic, Eriksen encourages people to ask questions if they are unsure how to approach it. “I would never look down on someone who asks about my disability and admits they don’t quite know how to handle it,” she said.

She points to children as an example of how curiosity should be embraced. “Children are so good because they just ask. And I wish all people would do that, because it’s perfectly okay to have ignorance or curiosity. You’re welcome to do that in the supermarket too.”

While Eriksen acknowledges that media representation of people with disabilities has improved, she hopes the conversation will expand beyond disability itself. “I just wish it was also about other competencies besides the fact that we’re disabled,” she said. “I want to be taken seriously as the person I am.”

She also emphasises the contributions people with disabilities make to society. “We are so much more than our disability,” she said.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain damage during fetal development, birth, or early childhood. It affects muscle control and movement, often resulting in permanent challenges such as reduced mobility or involuntary movements. Around 10,000 Danes live with varying degrees of cerebral palsy.