I can't speak. Here's how I get people to listen | Jessica Irwin

Nonverbal individuals face significant systemic barriers in healthcare, where physical limitations are frequently misconstrued as intellectual impairment. Because cerebral palsy affects motor control rather than cognitive ability, nonverbal patients often struggle to communicate basic needs, such as signaling pain or requesting medical assistance. To bridge this gap, healthcare providers should adopt simple, inclusive communication strategies, such as asking yes-or-no questions that rely on eye movements rather than physical gestures like hand-squeezing, which can be triggered involuntarily. By assuming intelligence and providing accessible methods for interaction, medical professionals can prevent unnecessary suffering and ensure that nonverbal patients receive appropriate care. Ultimately, treating nonverbal individuals with the same respect and conversational normalcy as any other person empowers them to share their perspectives and reclaim their voices within clinical settings.