In an interview on the Nerdy Book Club blog, Bowling comments that “if empathy and inclusiveness are what people gain from reading my story, then I don’t think I could ask for more than that” (“Empathy and Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus: An Interview With Dusti Bowling by Donna Gephart,” 2017). Her remark illustrates one of the novel’s most important themes: accepting and understanding differences. One of the greatest challenges that both Aven and Connor face is overcoming the ignorance and preconceptions other people have about their disabilities. Bowling sensitively illustrates the importance of learning about disabilities and seeing others as whole people.

Connor is profoundly impacted by others’ stares and uneducated put-downs. Connor tells Aven that he knows other people are not rude, that “They don’t know I have Tourette’s. That’s what makes it so embarrassing” (108). If people understood more about Tourette syndrome, he implies, they would not treat Connor like a curiosity. Aven half-jokingly recommends Connor get a t-shirt stating he has Tourette’s, to stave off curious stares. Even Connor’s father displayed ignorance of his son’s disability, however. He callously blamed Connor for disturbing the family with his ticcing, saying, “Look at how upset you’re making us” (67).