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Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 12:16 PM

Posted by: Lawrence Posts: 19

When combined, the varied definitions of the word GIMP create quite the flavorful linguistic stew:  Interwoven fabric (nice metaphor for community), one who limps or hobbles (fair enough), fighting spirit or vigor (there's a descriptive I can get behind) all serve the word well, and when consciously used and described can go a long way in defining not only who we are, but who we strive to be. 

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 12:35 PM

Posted by: Daisies1 Posts: 0

This constant hassle over words is weird.

As I said before: it only serves to put every AB ill at ease when dealing with us.

Everybody keeps wondering why nobody talks to a handicap when there is an AB to talk to. Folks are just plain scared stiff to drop a brick, and that in front of an audience.

This hassle doesn't help a bit.

Daisies

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 12:47 PM

Posted by: bonniethesurvivor Posts: 1,125

Daisies:  There is a big difference between arguing over the use of the "N" word, and discussing how to characterize the community, if such a general characterization can be used at all.  We DO use disabled and handicapped all the time,and words do count.  I fail to see why clarifying to an AB that we are not objects of pity should be an issue for you.  I also do not really care if an AB person is uncomfortable with this.  This site is not for the AB community, and if you don't want to read the discussion, then don't.

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Lawrence:  I think your very literate post is quite funny, but I don't know where you got the definition, or how it applies to the issue I am raising regarding the presentation of this "community" regarding legal and financial issues for the general public (ref: the ADA revisions).    As (I see from your Profile) an artist, advocate and commentator, I would think the difference between using Gimp among ourselves and for public awareness raising through the arts, vs. legal presentation, would make sense.

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Charcarr:  I too heartfully dislike invalid, or being invalidated, and would certainly put that word at the top of my most disliked.  I have certainly been invalidated, as well as being called an invalid.  That is a crummy word. Luckily, it is not usually used to characterize our group.

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 1:13 PM

Posted by: Daisies1 Posts: 0

bonniethesurvivor:

Daisies:  There is a big difference between arguing over the use of the "N" word, and discussing how to characterize the community, if such a general characterization can be used at all.  We DO use disabled and handicapped all the time,and words do count.  I fail to see why clarifying to an AB that we are not objects of pity should be an issue for you.  This site is not for the AB community, and if you don't want to read the discussion, then don't.

Uh... Huh?

Are you sure we are talking about the same thing here?

Where are You getting that n word from now?

I simply made the general observation that that constant hassle over words, meaning disabled and handicapped, mobility impaired and whatnot, is not going to help our case in public.

I can state for me that I don't want people to be afraid of talking to me, out of fear to use the wrong word. As long as they don't call me cripple. (Cultural difference! The word is out of use here.)

Daisies

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 1:35 PM

Posted by: bonniethesurvivor Posts: 1,125

Daisies:  my apology.  We seemed to disconnect there.  I have been a member since March, and have not seen these discussions previously.  The only "word" discussions I have seen were about what was happening in the chat rooms, and I thought that was what you meant.

I can see that you had a different topic in mind, and I now understand your point of view, although I do not agree. I do understand your concern that you do not want people to be even more afraid to speak with you than they might otherwise be. Thanks goodness we aren't dealing with "cripple!" 

ALSO, IF THIS TOPIC HAS ALREADY BEEN THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED BY THIS COMMUNITY I HAVE NO PROBLEM LETTING THE SUBJECT REST. 

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 1:51 PM

Posted by: Daisies1 Posts: 0

bonniethesurvivor:

ALSO, IF THIS TOPIC HAS ALREADY BEEN THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED BY THIS COMMUNITY I HAVE NO PROBLEM LETTING THE SUBJECT REST. 

I'm thinking this is a discussion board. Discussing things the raison d'être for this forum. And seeing that there are already so many replies already I'd say there still is need for discussion, despite the fact that we already did so in some other places.

It's only my personal view that I would like to see an outcome where we stop confusing and scaring everybody as to how to refer to us.

I'm thinking disability is more or less a bad thing. It won't turn into anything better with a pretty word.

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 2:46 PM

Posted by: Nightengale Posts: 672

Personally I prefer "handicapped" to "disability" because I'd rather think of myself as having extra difficulties (like in horse racing) than as un ABLE to do things.  However I have decided that as "disability" has been agreed upon by the US government (the Americans with Disabilities Act), the greater disability community, and is not too insulting, I'd rather just use it and move on to fighting for civil rights. 

Rehab specialists actually use both disability and handicap to mean different things.  The disability is the problem the person has and the handicap is the problem the disability causes in society.  So I have a mobility impairment which causes a disability in climbing stairs.  But I am only handicapped if the building doesn't have a ramp or elevator.  I like this distinction but it's too sophisticated to expect most people to remember. 

My real  problem with "handicap" is that is is almost never used gramatically.  I have a handicap.  But I am not a handicap.  Furthermore, parking is not handicapped, it is accessible.  There is no functional limitation that the parking spot has.  The bathroom is also accessible, not handicap or handicapped.  So "handicap bathroom" just makes my skin crawl because the grammar is all wrong. 

I do hear the word "cripple" used by the medical community so it's not dead yet.  I hear a lot of derogatory words used about disability by the medical community of course.  So I'd rather teach them People First terminology and the idea of Disability because it's simple to explain to the ignorant non-disabled.  When they stop saying "idiot savant," "wheelchair-bound" "funny looking kid" and telling a family to call the "society for crippled children" - well if I live that long I'll be a very happy person.

Posted on: Thu, May 1 2008 6:49 PM

Posted by: DSB Posts: 767

 I’m going with Tridog on the Gimpy it fits me others may debate the correct term others know history of words.  To be frank I am called many things some good some not so good. But I have never been one to have someone tell me how I must define myself and what correct words to use.  I’m far to busy well being human.

I also do not think of people aka fully functional people as being ignorant to the fact I have less then top form after all they are called by children and wife oh and friends. As for strangers do I get stared at well yes is it important to me nope. Then there are the kids and well my son sees just kids including the gimpy one in his school and know what she is just like all of the. So I would much rather present myself as a human because everyone has a challenge(s) in life.