August 30, 2003
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I just wanted to link to this UK poll about disability-related epithets, which dingus5 linked to a while back. Some folks who read me might be interested.
My comment to dingus5's 'blog:
The most telling element of that poll is the difference between responses by the disabled and those by the non-disabled.
'Brave' is #3 among the disabled, essentially tied for second, and doesn't make the top 10 among the non-disabled. The nominee list was created by disabled folks, which is how 'brave' got in there in the first place.
Updated:
Here's a link that goes a long way toward describing unintentional condescension toward the disabled.
Comments (6)
"Brave" does seem condescending. I've thought about that since you commented on it.
Of course, the veteran's hospitals are full of brave people.
the "brave" comments have always bothered me. I work in rehab. with people who are cognitively and physically challenged.
there is also some sort of a gap between what people think "handicapped" means and what it actually means in the disabled community.
A handicap is a "regular" activity that a disabled person is unable to do. For example, Charlie cannot get up the stairs because there are too many. That is Charlie's handicap.
The term "handicapped parking" makes no sense at all. The term should really be disabled persons parking.
Ok, enough talk.
The terminology falls apart under scrutiny. By and large, it's put there in the first place by well-meaning people who don't have a clue. This works the same way as 'brave' and 'inspirational.'
My mom used to tell my brother he was "special" because he was adopted. I feel the same way about the use of that word for ANYONE. Everyone is special in their own ways. I mean, seriously. So, there are very few EXTRA-special people out there, in my humble opinion, who might deserve the title "special".
Brave and inspirational are words for people whose obvious handicap/challenge/disability is ENGLISH.
Retard and the other stuff goes without saying, but yes, are ARE still people out there who use these words...
Anno 2003 this shouldn't be a problem but unfortunately it is.
I've worked with a handicapped girl some years ago; she had only one hand and used a plastic one to be able to do her job. Sometimes she simply took it off, regardless of the stares. We talked about that as it seemed extremely courageous to me that she would do that. She didn't look at it that way at all.
If the hand bothered her she took it off, plain and simple.
Lesson learned.
Never heard "window-licker" before. I'd just like to apologize right now for having giggled at that one.
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