I decided to make a Disability Alphabet, and I made a goal of emphasizing only positive words. I was inspired by Missy's ABC's of Caring Game,
where she started a challenge asking readers to submit a word about
care giving for each letter. My disability alphabet took me through a
kaleidoscope of words. Here are my words. Suggestions?
Attitude
"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." ~ Scott Hamilton
The
letter A could stand for so many things that are important to the
person with a disability. However, I chose Attitude. A positive
attitude allows each of us to accept ourselves and enhances each day.
Besides, we can control our attitude and keep it positive.
Other good words: Acceptance, Accessibility, Accomplishment, Action, Answers and Assurance
Butterflies
I must choose Butterflies for the letter B after seeing the movie The Diving Bell and The Butterfly.
Butterflies are the imagination that allows us to go anywhere, any
time, even flying over a magnificent garden and lighting on a single
perfect rose.
Another good word: Balance
Care
C represents care and
all that it brings to mind. It includes our indispensable caregiver and
other people who care and contribute. But it also represents the care
we have and show, whether or not we can participate.
Other good words: Capability, Celebration, Challenge, Compassion, Continuation
Doing
"It's what you Do that counts - not what you can't." ~ Garry Jenkin
A particular disability may not mean we cannot do something. It just means doing it in a different way.
Other good words: Difference, as in making a difference; Determination and Dignity
Enthusiasm
"Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1888)
Enthusiasm gives us the energy to learn new things It is often a driving force.
Other good words: Education, Empathy, Energy, Entrepreneur and Experiment
Funny
There is nothing funny about disability. Well, actually, sometimes there is.
Once
again a positive attitude allows us to laugh and have some fun. This
subject is a bit sensitive, especially when a joke comes too close to
some situations. However, that is true for everyone, whether a
disability is involved or not. We all need to laugh, so funny is a good
word for F.
Other good words: Faith, Foresight, Forgiveness and Fortitude
Games
Games
help keep minds active while providing fun - whether we're with friends
and family or alone. They exercise our minds and sometimes our bodies.
They can be exhilarating, maybe help with socializing, but always
deliver fun. Yes, "Games" is a good word.
Other good words: Gallantry, God and Gratitude
Humor
"Through
humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And
once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be,
you can survive it." ~ Bill Cosby
Laughter is the best medicine. Embrace humor because it's healthy in addition to being fun.
Other good words: Happiness, Health, Helpfulness, Hero and Hope
Innovation
Innovation
works for this letter I. Innovation in medical research produces
treatments and sometimes cures. Innovations have produced all kinds of
assistive devices to make daily life just a little easier. Individuals
are often innovative when trying to accomplish daily tasks. Innovation
is a good thing for the disability community.
Other good words: Imagination, Initiative, Inspiration, Integrity
Justice
With the recent revamping of the ADA, rules and guidelines have been tightened to ensure equal justice for us all.
Other good words: Judgment, Juice and Just, as in Just keep going and Just try it
Kaleidoscope
K is for Kaleidoscope. The colors in a kaleidoscope are delightful as they change. Disability, too, may change from day to day. I know my MS does.
Kaleidoscope Magazine
explores the experience of disability through literature and Fine Arts.
Do you have a good story or picture? They take submissions.
Another good word: Kind for kindness and for the different kinds of disability
Love
"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love." ~ Sophocles (496BC - 406 BC)
My L word, Love, covers platonic and romantic bonds, love lost and found, remembered and forgotten, perhaps best epitomized in The Bible.
Other good words: Language, Learning and Locality
Mobility
Mobility provides the means for the non-ambulatory to participate fully in society.
Another good word: Memories
Nutrition
Nutrition
is especially important to people with disabilities. Just like everyone
else, we fare better when healthy. Good nutrition is a path to good
health.
Other good words: Nature, New, Nursing and Nurture
Optimism
Optimism is often self- fulfilling. Believing today will be a good day is a good start for a good day.
Another good word: Originality
Patience
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." ~ John Quincy Adams
Many things are accomplished with Patience. Patience often leads to good decisions.
Other good words: Paralympics honoring the world-class athletes who happen to have a disability; Persistence and Progress
Quest
Embark on a Quest to discover, and then create life as you want it to be.
Other good words: Quality and Quiet
Respect
"Men are respectable only as they respect." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1888)
Respect yourself, and respect others.
Other good words: Refreshment and Regeneration
Smile
"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." ~Mother Teresa
Smile when you can, enjoy your good humor, and share it. Any day you just don't feel like it, visit Smile of the Day
for a little help. Remember a smile is worth even more when it is given
away. You won't lose anything because you are likely to get it back.
Other good words: Skillfulness, Spirit, Strength and Success
Therapy
T
is for Therapy, another way to strengthen our health. It helps keep
movement in our bodies, balance in our thinking, and peace in our souls.
Other good words: Thankfulness, Tenacity, Time, Toughness and Treatment
Understanding
Understanding a disability often determines the path to living with that disability.
Other good words: Usefulness and Union, as in uniting for a stronger voice
Values
"Your attitude is an expression of your values, beliefs and expectations." ~ Brian Tracey
Our values help make our lives worth living.
Other good words: Vigor, Virtue and Vitality
Wisdom
"We are made wise not by the recollection of the past, but by the responsibility of our future." ~ George Bernard Shaw
Wisdom allows us to accept what we cannot change and continue on to build the life we want to live.
Other good words: Wellness, Wishes and Words, as in choosing our words wisely
X-ray
X-ray represents advances in technology such as the x-ray, MRI, MRIf, cat scan and more.
Other good words: X chromosome because of the gender differences as they are affected by conditions and treatments.
Yes
Yes is a positive attitude said aloud.
Other good words: Yearning and Youth
Zest
Zest adds charm and spirit to your life.
Other
good words: Zounds, because we need to express anger sometimes and Zero
- okay, I'm stretching here, but I've used up my energy and I have zero
left.
In a word, what does disability mean to you?
