tbh I don't in principle have a problem with someone using their disability or illness for sympathy - it's a game, if you think that's one of your Aces, fine.
BUT! I wonder how much Paddy was playing it up; one of my oldest friends, and one of my Cubs have CP. If I showed them pity/sympathy they'd bloody hit me with their crutch/run my foot over with their wheelchair
It toughened them up more than anything else.
But of course: blahh blahh, different people react differently to things, blahh