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The word 'disabled'
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Okay, so, I was talking to a friend at college about this and it got me thinking.
I said I don't like the word disabled, purely because it defines people by what they can't do. It's such a negative term, one that instantly pigeon-holes people. I went on to think about how 'disabilities' can produce some of the most amazing things ever - bionic limbs for instance. Personally, I find robotic/bionic body parts to be super interesting and frankly fantastic. Seeing some of the Paralympians out there makes my jaw drop. Why define people by saying "you can't do things"?
What are your views on the word and stigma attached to this? Anyone with a disability able to give a viewpoint?
I said I don't like the word disabled, purely because it defines people by what they can't do. It's such a negative term, one that instantly pigeon-holes people. I went on to think about how 'disabilities' can produce some of the most amazing things ever - bionic limbs for instance. Personally, I find robotic/bionic body parts to be super interesting and frankly fantastic. Seeing some of the Paralympians out there makes my jaw drop. Why define people by saying "you can't do things"?
What are your views on the word and stigma attached to this? Anyone with a disability able to give a viewpoint?
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I have a learning disability and I don't like the word 'disability' for the same reason as you, I feel like it just labels what people can't do, when in fact just cos somebody has a disability it doesn't mean they can't do something, they just do it differently.
I have always been told that it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get from A to B it's still possible, it may just take a little longer. Everyone is unique.
'Think ability, not disability'
" So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing, thanks for all the joy they're bringing, who can live without it, I ask in all honestly what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me "
'' It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling "
Exactly my point.
" So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing, thanks for all the joy they're bringing, who can live without it, I ask in all honestly what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me "
'' It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling "
No need to apologise.
You might find this PDF from equalitytraining.co.uk makes some relevant points: http://www.equalitytraining.co.uk/images/news/language_of_respect.pdf
I think there is a lot of stigma around the word 'disability' maybe cos of lack of understanding for people.
I know for me people at work didnt understand my learning disability and I was treated unfairly at first. But its okay now.
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" So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing, thanks for all the joy they're bringing, who can live without it, I ask in all honestly what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me "
'' It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling "
Agree with everything mentioned. I have to be honest, if no one was 'disabled' or different, the world would be absolutely rubbish. It's those differences that give the world colour, so why label them so negatively? Another good example is Autism. Some of the most incredibly minded people in the world are Autistic - people that can draw entire cityscapes in amazing detail after one look, people that can hack the world's most secure networks. Although Autism can negatively effect people, it can also produce amazing things. I refuse to believe things like this should be called a disability when so much good can come of any impairment. Even if its an emotional benefit or a life change someone makes.
I personally think differences make the world the fascinating place it is.
Like what most have said, i find it tends to make people think they cant do stuff because of there disability but they can it just means doing it in a different way and i think actually it makes them more able to do things as they adapt to the circumstances. i think the fact that able body and those with a disability can do the same things and work together is what counts not that they are disabled. but like someones already said i dont know of a better term which could be used.
I never tend to use the word disabled despite having volunteered with some people with disability's, i feel like sometimes people see a disabled person and believe they are kinda like a child (depending on the disability) thats what a friend said who has a disability often she feels talked down to due and the word disabled kind of branded across a mix of people.
Thats my view
MikeS I totally agree with what u had to say about the world would be boring if everyone was the same. I think it makes the world a more interesting place to live in. Learning about different cultures, doing an rewarding job by helping someone in their life, getting to know a wide range of different people as in what they like and what they dont like and people with different races can be a good place to get everyone mixing with other people. You said about Autism, weren't there a scientist who is autistic? That's very good example to give.
I agree with everything people have said. I just feel like the word disabled is a way of looking down at them when, in reality, they're the people who usually deserve looking up to. Again, I think it just says "you can't do things". When that's far from the truth, disabled people a lot of the time make more of themselves than a lot of other people. We should just treat everyone like any other human being because that's what we all are at the end of the day - we all have our differences to others.
Agree with what Miss Riot said about the spectrum of things it can cover. Crazykiss - a mind blowing sketch artist called Stephen Wiltshire who draws entire skylines from memory is autistic. He's one of few savants in the world who can do such a thing, all emerging from his autism.
I completely agree, everyone should be treated exactly the same because we are all human.
I just want to point out that nobody knows exactly what it's like for a person that does have a disability. My ex for example had a physical disability and he really struggled with a lot of pain some days but nobody saw that apart from me. So yes, I do agree that it makes people see you differently but I think sometimes that's a good thing because if people had ignored that my ex had a disability and been like 'do this, do that, go there' I would not have been happy because he wouldn't have been able to manage that.
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/nick-cohen/2014/04/you-sexistracistliberalelitist-bastard-how-dare-you/
Hmmm... I'm not sure I believe that. I think it's obvious that someone with a particular condition might have less opportunities than someone without - but I don't think it's necessary to define an entire group of people with this idea. Why label it? I also think the bit in bold is bullshit.
I have metal hips after a bi-lateral hip replacement a year ago and I am now on the emergency list for a knee replacement which will be metal on plastic - i'll be very funky inside!
I think the word 'disability' can be quite negative as like people have said, it's focusing on a person lacking the ability to do specific things. Which is pretty pants! I think it can boil down to an inidividual though at times, if someone with a disability/disabilities focuses on what they can't do all the time, they'll have quite a challenging time and a rather negative time however; if they are positive about things and 'look on the bright side' it's less likely to affect them at all and you'll be surprised to know that they don't even think about the word disability! I can say this as i've been in both positions.
The word 'Disability' does bring about so many issues like Miss Riot was saying, people assume that if you're not in a wheelchair permanantly or have a visiable, evident, severe disability then you're 'fine' as such. This is totally not the case. I have so many hidden disabilities as well as problems that can be totally okay at times but then flare up - this is when people wonder why you're 'faking' disabilities for money - gets me so angry!!
But, it's important to me that I focus on what I can do, what I want to do and try and find ways to be able to do things rather than dwell on what I can't - easier said than done at times. For the sake of paperwork, i'm always going to be 'disabled' but that doesn't confine me, it doesn't sumarise who I am and it certainly doesn't mean i'm not just like everyone else - i'm just bionic and special
Happy to chat to anyone and everyone about disability and all that comes with it!!!!
Very well said indeed, Rach.
You're still ace!!
This is something that really frustrates me. Along with some people thinking that if you're young, you can't possibly be disabled either.
I was once accused of stealing my bus pass. I am sight impaired; but unless you look ridiculously closely, you can't see anything wrong with my eyes. But you also can't tell what I can and can't see.
Hmmm, yeah. That's the thing about so many 'disabilities' out there, you can't see them at a glance. I guess going back to the point about the stereotype of someone disabled being in a wheelchair full time.
If I had easier access to health care, a supportive employer, could afford to work less hours and didn't experience prejudice off people for who I am, I would find my bipolar WAY more manageable... And in a lot of ways I do manage it well. I have had a breakdown in my previous job, but this one (despite being nights for minimum wage) ain't too stressful... I'm doing a Masters, though because I work I can't access mental health support... I get support at university, though when I finish, I'm kinda worried about getting a supportive job afterwards because my experience has been a lot of places don't want to employ people who don't fit a certain neurological framework.