General Disability Lifestyle

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 7:43 PM

Posted by: PerfectlyImperfect Posts: 1,581

After reading a very interesting blog about the word "cripple", it got me thinking. I know this has been discussed before here, but maybe we can get some new takes on it. Are there any power in words? What words are considered taboo when talking about the disabled? What is your "word of choice", for lack of a better term, when it comes to describing yourself and disability? Do those close to you respect your stances on any words you find offensive when describing your disability?

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 9:04 PM

Posted by: BMWgirl Posts: 675

No-they don't, but with us it's reversed.  I get pissed off at my sis for being all offended when I use the word gimp!!  From my veiw, I have every right to use it however I want as long as there's not disabled kids around.    I am just like pleaase can the suzy special ed teacher shit here-and lets be adults.  I do not jump on her every time she says something I wouldn't (IE refer to people as the--- thier religion)

As old school as it is-I think people should strive for the stick and stones attitude-I for one do!!  When one lets words hurt em they give away their power, why do that?  I think it was insane the the rutgers basketball team got all butt hurt over don imus, duchbag, said.  They should have been he's nothing to us so we don't care!  We're national champs-that's awsome.  Not whinning oh, he took away what we worked for-wrooong, No one can take that away from you!!  I don't give a shit who thinks I was given a pity anything-I know I earned it-no one can take it away, regardless of what they say.

I remember 4th grade, getting into it with  my teacher about her anti name calling lesson was all wrong, so people call whoever names-why do they care? funny..

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 9:40 PM

Posted by: bearlover09 Posts: 315

When I was a child in school, the word "retard" was used quite often by other classmates.  That word is so hurtful and to this day, I hate to hear it being used by anyone under any and all circumstances.  Call me crippled, call me disabled, call me physically challenged, heck call me crazy, but please don't use the word retard.  In my school days, I think most kids used the word not even giving a second thought how hurtful it was to others and out of complete ignorance.  It sure didn't take me long to break my two nephews (who are now sixteen and twenty-one) from saying it.  They learned really fast that wasn't a word in their vocabulary.

Personally, I believe the word retard is hurtful and extremely offensive to the individuals who are mentally challenged.

Trish

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 10:11 PM

Posted by: Tania Posts: 697

 I think it's very subjective.  You are bound to find people who prefer very specific terms, some who don't mind any of the terms, and others in between.  Personally, I refer to myself simply as disabled.  There are three terms I don't like: cripple, gimp, and handicapped.  Of these, I particularly do not like handicapped.  This is basically because of the origin of the term.  For those who do not know, this term arose during a time when disabled people absolutely could not get any kind of work and were forced to beg on the streets for money.  They would lay a cap on the ground beside themselves and beg for donations.  Those who did donate would put their 'hand in the cap'  to give the money.  This was later shortened to 'handicap.  I refuse to be labeled as someone who has to rely on the handouts of others to survive, and I can't stand this term for this reason.  For the most part, my family and friends respect this, but occasionally they do let the "H-word" out.  It is so ingrained in today's society that they cannot seem to shed themselves of it.

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 11:26 PM

Posted by: BMWgirl Posts: 675

To me the word Retarded is not any better or worse then the word wheel chair!  I used them both today-however, I did not like being called either in school.

I refer to myself as disabled or a gimp-just me, they're the two words I like the best.  However, my late grandmom used handicapped, even though I like disabled better-whatver, it's not important.

Also: I think physically retarded or (PR) would be a way easier more and clear way of discribing my condition then Cerebral Palsy (CP).  That's just me- PR really captures how I feel more accurately!

Posted on: Mon, Jun 29 2009 11:48 PM

Posted by: PerfectlyImperfect Posts: 1,581

On here I say "disabled" and "nondisabled" or things like that to simplify what I mean. However, when really talking to those around me, I never really use either. I don't consider myself disabled, a crip, gimp, ect. Yes, I have a birth defect. If anything, I say I have that rather than a disability. For those of you that were here when I first joined the site, I unintentionally caused quite a stir with my first thread about this very thing.. whether I really thought of myself as a disabled person. Many people questioned why I was even here if I didn't. I tried to explain that I was here because I have never met anyone else with my condition but I didn't feel it necessarily disabled me. Very few understood where I was coming from.

Back on subject(sorry about that little tangent).. I think words only have power when we allow them to. Yes, words can hurt just as much as actions. In fact, sometimes they can hurt worse because a physical wound can heal.. you never know how deep the scar of a verbal wound goes. I think work needs to be done on both sides: people need to toughen up a bit in some cases and in other cases people need to be careful what they say. Sound like I'm trying to have my cake and eat it, too? Yeah, you're probably right, but I think it's all situation by situation that these things vary. There's no clear cut, across the board answer.

Posted on: Tue, Jun 30 2009 12:43 AM

Posted by: BMWgirl Posts: 675

To me perf, someone with Ectradacly is not disabled-now if one with that Dx wants to consider themselves as a PWD-hey whatever..Even people with amputations or para's, I could make a case that they aren't disabled-hence if they do not label themselves as such or idtify  with it-makes sense to me.

Posted on: Tue, Jun 30 2009 6:16 AM

Posted by: mcjane Posts: 1,288

BMW....how can you make a case that an amputee or para is not disabled???  We are not able to walk...we are dis-abled.  But I prefer the term cripple.  Dunno why.

If a person does not like the word cripple, and a person insists on calling them that, then it is abusive.  I'm not opposed to handicapped despite the origin of the word.  Being on SSDI I do feel somewhat like a beggar.  Don't know what I'd do without the support of taxpayers.  I'd be out on the street begging for sure.  With all the able bodied people out of work...who would hire me...even if I could manage to get there and stay for a duration.  This sux! 

Buddhists consider begging an honorable vocation. 

"Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will kill your Spirit."