--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We often hear that people mean well: that…" description: "\"We often hear that people mean well: that so many just don't how to interact with people with disabilities. They're unsure of the 'right' reaction, so ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/stella-young-7013_better_we-often-hear-that-people-mean-well-that_903908.jpg" --- # We often hear that people mean well: that so many just… ![“We often hear that people mean well: that so many just don't how to interact with people with disabilities. They're unsure of the 'right' reaction, so they default to condescension that makes them feel better in the face of their discomfort.” quote by Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/stella-young-7013_better_we-often-hear-that-people-mean-well-that_903908.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/stella-young-7013_better_we-often-hear-that-people-mean-well-that_903908.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/stella-young-7013_better_we-often-hear-that-people-mean-well-that_903908.jpg) > “We often hear that people mean well: that so many just don't how to interact with people with disabilities. They're unsure of the 'right' reaction, so they default to condescension that makes them feel better in the face of their discomfort.” [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often default to condescension toward disabilities due to discomfort and uncertainty. **In simple terms:** Uncertainty leads to patronizing behavior toward disabled people. Key Takeaway Learn respectful interaction. Themes disability empathy communication Mood thoughtful concerned Type educational advocacy When to use this quote - workplace - public spaces - online forums - customer service Key Concepts social etiquette power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions drive your reactions? - How can you practice genuine empathy? A Different Perspective Changing attitudes requires deep self‑examination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Condescension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/condescension/) [Disabilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disabilities/) [Disability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disability/) [Discomfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discomfort/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People with disabilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-with-disabilities/) ## Related quotes > [Self esteem and a healthy body image for people with disabilities are so often hard-fought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/self-esteem-and-a-healthy-body-image-for-people-with-disabilities-are/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [I've got the best job in the world; I love it. I get to meet so many interesting people, and I get to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/i-ve-got-the-best-job-in-the-world-i-love-it-i-get-to-meet-so-many/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [For me, and for many other people with disabilities, our status as disabled people is one of which we are fiercely proud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/for-me-and-for-many-other-people-with-disabilities-our-status-as/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [People with disabilities are simply part of diverse communities in the U.S.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/people-with-disabilities-are-simply-part-of-diverse-communities-in/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [We are a society that treats people with disabilities with condescension and pity, not dignity and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/we-are-a-society-that-treats-people-with-disabilities-with/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Yooralla, like most disability service organisations, is full of good people who are passionate about the rights of people with disabilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/yooralla-like-most-disability-service-organisations-is-full-of-good/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [The problem for many people with disabilities is not that we are not able to work a certain number of hours a week. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/the-problem-for-many-people-with-disabilities-is-not-that-we-are-not/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Believe me, people with disabilities are just as concerned about benefit fraud as anyone else. Money spent on those who are not in need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/believe-me-people-with-disabilities-are-just-as-concerned-about/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [“In 1996, when Senator Bob Dole runs against President Clinton, it’s a historic moment for people with disabilities. No one with a visible disability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mattlin/in-1996-when-senator-bob-dole-runs-against-president-clinton-it-s-a/) Ben Mattlin > [I was introduced to 7 Charming Sisters at an Emmy Award Show event. When they approached me to become a brand ambassador, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-brewer/i-was-introduced-to-7-charming-sisters-at-an-emmy-award-show-event/) [Jamie Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-brewer/) > [A good government is one with a duty to help everyone, to maximise his or her potential: Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mundine/a-good-government-is-one-with-a-duty-to-help-everyone-to-maximise-his/) [Warren Mundine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mundine/) > [People with disabilities are the largest minority in the world, and we are the most underrepresented in entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maysoon-zayid/people-with-disabilities-are-the-largest-minority-in-the-world-and-we/) [Maysoon Zayid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maysoon-zayid/) > [I find personally that when I go to a place where I can't get in, I feel hostility from whatever it is, a hotel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itzhak-perlman/i-find-personally-that-when-i-go-to-a-place-where-i-can-t-get-in-i/) [Itzhak Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/itzhak-perlman/) > [Disabled people need more invested in their education, housing, job training, transportation, assistive technology, and independent-living facilities. Governments earn back this investment - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/disabled-people-need-more-invested-in-their-education-housing-job/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [A lot of roles for people with disabilities are quite patronising. It's a real pity when they are just used to give dull PC…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-haddon/a-lot-of-roles-for-people-with-disabilities-are-quite-patronising-it/) [Mark Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-haddon/) ## More by Stella Young > [I am repeatedly asked in interviews exactly 'what's wrong' with me, and I always give them the same answer; I don't identify the name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/i-am-repeatedly-asked-in-interviews-exactly-what-s-wrong-with-me-and/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [We think we know what it's all about; we think that disability is a really simple thing, and we don't expect to see disabled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/we-think-we-know-what-it-s-all-about-we-think-that-disability-is-a/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [For me, in some ways, my whole life is a bit performative and always has been - because I'm stared at and looked at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/for-me-in-some-ways-my-whole-life-is-a-bit-performative-and-always/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Believe me, people with disabilities are just as concerned about benefit fraud as anyone else. Money spent on those who are not in need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/believe-me-people-with-disabilities-are-just-as-concerned-about/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [In many ways, I'm incredibly lucky to have been born with my impairment and that it's visible. It means my path has been predictable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/in-many-ways-i-m-incredibly-lucky-to-have-been-born-with-my/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Death is not treatment, even if it's medically facilitated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/death-is-not-treatment-even-if-it-s-medically-facilitated/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Personally, I like a generous side of wheelchair access with my cities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/personally-i-like-a-generous-side-of-wheelchair-access-with-my-cities/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [We’ve been sold this lie that disability makes you exceptional and it honestly doesn’t. … I want to live in a world where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/we-ve-been-sold-this-lie-that-disability-makes-you-exceptional-and-it/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [When patronised, I'm unfortunately more flight than fight. Perhaps it's because I actually feel quite wounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/when-patronised-i-m-unfortunately-more-flight-than-fight-perhaps-it-s/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [I have a condition that is included among the 200 or so classified as Dwarfism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/i-have-a-condition-that-is-included-among-the-200-or-so-classified-as/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [The problem for many people with disabilities is not that we are not able to work a certain number of hours a week. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/the-problem-for-many-people-with-disabilities-is-not-that-we-are-not/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [As a wheelchair user, I am utterly obsessed with toilets, and all my friends know it. A simple invitation to the pub is consistently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/as-a-wheelchair-user-i-am-utterly-obsessed-with-toilets-and-all-my/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [Doctors are not fortune tellers, and neither am I. Having lived with disability since birth does not afford me immunity from illness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/doctors-are-not-fortune-tellers-and-neither-am-i-having-lived-with/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [From my first days in Washington D.C., where I rolled a whole four downtown blocks without seeing a single shop, cafe, bar or restaurant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/from-my-first-days-in-washington-d-c-where-i-rolled-a-whole-four/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [On the whole, my life is and has been wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/on-the-whole-my-life-is-and-has-been-wonderful/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) [Explore all 95 Stella Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. 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However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. 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I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We often hear that people mean well: that so many just don't how to interact with people with disabilities. 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