tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822179962925575488.post3426327873340523124..comments2010-05-12T11:59:08.157-05:00Comments on My Write Foot: Power of WordsDevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11217001765797166290noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822179962925575488.post-64506791728592378612009-03-04T15:55:00.000-06:002009-03-04T15:55:00.000-06:00Right on, Devin!! or should I say "write on"!! A d...Right on, Devin!! or should I say "write on"!! <BR/><BR/>A dictionary definition of cripple: 1 sometimes offensive : a lame or partly disabled person or animal b: one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner (a social cripple)<BR/>2: something flawed or imperfect <BR/><BR/>Dump "cripple" in your title and take suggestions for a kinder, gentler word--maybe "klutz"?<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>Engmom (aka Mom, aka Emily)Devinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217001765797166290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822179962925575488.post-78247176832412119312009-03-02T22:46:00.000-06:002009-03-02T22:46:00.000-06:00As both a co-worker and a friend, I get to see bot...As both a co-worker and a friend, I get to see both you, and the issue of language relating to people with disabilities in many different settings. <BR/><BR/>Growing up, we all heard the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" and we all knew it was bull (not my blog, so I won't add the 2nd word). Words can hurt us, and sometimes more than a stick or stone ever could. Hell, I've had days I'd rather be beat with a stick than have to hear someone repeat words that have hurt me. <BR/><BR/>I admire your courage. For over a decade, you have been one of my closest friends, and I hope you know how much I love you. To intentionally rob a word of its power, to show others that you will not let them define who you are takes courage. <BR/><BR/>I am reminded of both a movie and a TV show.<BR/><BR/>The TV show South Park did an episode about "words of power" where they used the word "shit" some 162 times in 22 minutes, and the plot of the episode is about how people became ill from using the word so much - because it is one of the seven "words of power" that caused the plague from overuse. <BR/><BR/>I'm also reminded of Clerks 2 (no not THAT scene) when Randal decides to "take back" a racist term.<BR/><BR/>I am all in favor of being "people first." As someone who has spent my entire career working in different ways with wonderful people who have had physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, I have seen how society says they are not capable of being full members of society, seen how they are put down, made to feel like charity cases instead of contributing members of society. And it sucks. But I've also seen where people have spent more time and money arguing over what words - and in what order - to use to describe someone, that they actually spend getting to know the person and what they need. I still think calling my clients "consumers" is stupid, but I know others think it is the best term ever coined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com