I worked in scientific research laboratories for eight years. It wasn’t easy, given that I have cerebral palsy (CP).

Now, I would like to clarify that my case of CP is not severe—meaning that I do not use a wheelchair or other assistive device, and I am able to speak. However, it does affect my gait and fine motor coordination.

Many (but thankfully not all) of my lab coworkers did not understand what it was like to do experiments and procedures with such a disability. I wish they had known the following back then:

• It takes me longer to do certain procedures. Not all procedures, but certain ones. I had to work deliberately to load a DNA sequencing gel (boy, is that ever a throwback) so my samples would not disappear into the buffer, or to split cultures of cells (among some other procedures about which I won’t go into detail). I have actually had a boss gripe at me, “What’s taking so long?” more than once. And a professor I once had for a class in cell culture was concerned that I was often the last student to finish working at the end of the lab period.

• Working with CP is often very frustrating, and so I often grunt when I accidentally tear, drop, or break something because I cannot satisfactorily control my hands. “Stop grunting!” someone will often say. Well, at least I don’t swear.

• Again, because working with CP is frustrating, I cry once in a while. Some folks may think this is very unprofessional. I think it’s very cleansing. I can’t help if I feel distraught.  However, I don’t let it all out until I have had a chance to go to the restroom.

Like many disabilities, CP is one of those where one says, “If you don’t have it, you don’t get it.”

What are your thoughts?