Cherylee Houston says hate is "founded in fear and ignorance" after she was verbally abused in the street earlier this week.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who has been in a wheelchair since she was 23 after being diagnosed with the rare connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – has thanked her fans for their support via her Twitter account after she was recently called a "spastic" in the street.
Responding to the public’s reaction to the incident, Cherylee wrote on the micro-blogging platform: "Thank you everyone for your kind and supportive messages. So many people with disabilities have contacted me to say the same has happened to them. So I’m really pleased it’s being talked about. Hate is only founded in fear and ignorance so this conversation is helping. Xx (sic)"
Cherylee, 43 – who plays Izzy Armstrong on the long-running ITV soap – admitted to being "astounded" by the incident, which she subsequently relayed to her fans via Twitter.
She wrote: "Was just crossing the road and a car beeped and me and a man shouted "Spastic" at me. Wow. (sic)"
Later, she explained: "I was surprised I’ve never been called that before.
"The world still has a lot to learn about difference (sic)"
However, Cherylee also revealed she planned to use the experience to her advantage by turning the abusive stranger into a character for her next radio drama.
In response to a fan, she said: "Ha he’ll definitely be used in something! (sic)"
Cherylee Houston: Hate is founded in fear and ignorance
