Cherylee Houston has been left "astounded" after someone shouted "spastic" at her in the street.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress has been in a wheelchair since she was 23 after being diagnosed with rare connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and she was "stunned" when the mystery guy abused her for simply crossing the road.
She wrote on Twitter: "Was just crossing the road and a car beeped and me and a man shouted "Spastic" at me. Wow. (sic)"
Cherylee – who plays Izzy Armstrong in the ITV soap – admitted she was "a bit too stunned" to get the guy’s number plate, and was "pretty much" speechless when the incident occurred.
In a series of tweets, she wrote: "I was surprised I’ve never been called that before.
"The world still has a lot to learn about difference (sic)"
But she plans to use the horrific incident to her advantage, by turning the guy into a character for her next radio drama.
In response to a fan, she said: "Ha he’ll definitely be used in something! (sic)"
The 43-year-old star was inundated with messages of support from fans and several of her ‘Corrie’ co-stars.
Georgia Taylor – who plays Toyah Battersby – tweeted: "Oh darling this is horrendous. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I hope you’re okay, lovely one xxx (sic)"
Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) wrote: "aw chez that’s horrible. Hope you’re ok love xx (sic)"
Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Bradley) tweeted: "Jeez, Neanderthals x (sic)"
Cherylee recently admitted she is "continually in pain", so much so she "can’t get out of bed" at least a couple of times a week.
She explained: "I am continually in pain.
"People don’t tend to talk about pain. I’m constantly managing my condition, yet there’s something about acting that enables me to break through my pain levels.
"The adrenaline of the job seems to override it.
"There are a couple of times a week, at least, I get stuck where I can’t physically move, get out of bed, get dressed, do anything for myself. My voice goes."
Cherylee Houston ‘astounded’ after being verbally abused
