ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Secondary handicap

Okay, so imagine you're playing a game of tag and you're "it." You might run really fast to try to catch the person you're chasing, right? But what if you hurt your leg while you're running? That would make it much harder for you to catch the other person, right?

Well, the same thing can happen in everyday life with some people. They might have a "primary handicap," which means a disability or challenge they were born with or developed later in life. This could be something like being deaf, using a wheelchair, or having a learning disability.

But sometimes, people with primary handicaps also have something called a "secondary handicap." This means another challenge that comes up because of their primary handicap. For example, someone who uses a wheelchair might have trouble getting around in a building that doesn't have an elevator or ramps. Or someone who is deaf might have trouble making friends because they can't always hear what others are saying.

These secondary handicaps are like extra challenges that people with primary handicaps have to deal with. They can make it harder for them to do things that other people might find easy, and can sometimes make them feel left out or different. But it's important for everyone to remember that having a primary or secondary handicap doesn't define who someone is, and everyone deserves respect and understanding no matter what challenges they may face.