I’m Disabled, Not Special
I have disabilities, but other than that I’m not any different from you.
Political correctness has a lot to answer for. It seems that nowadays no one feels able to use terms that were acceptable only a short time ago. I don’t mean insulting or derogatory terms, I mean descriptive ones.
For example, I have a friend that would self-define as “blind”. Others would say she had “visual difficulties”. I have visual difficulties in that I am a bit short sighted. The term “learning disability” has gone out of fashion; now everything from mild dyslexia to people who need round the clock supervision are termed as having “learning difficulties”. Why undermine someone’s needs by making all terms generic and meaningless?
Society is thankfully moving on from the “does your friend in the wheelchair like tea” attitude. Unfortunately, the replacement is no less patronizing. People are afraid to ask what help someone would need, for fear of offending. People in general are far more aware of disabilities and various conditions that would have bee seen as laziness or stupidity in the past, but we have gone to the other extreme.
For example, my friend had mobility problems and was instantly offered an extension on her university work. When she said she didn’t need it, everyone was surprised. While disabled people do have different needs, these only apply to the area of their disability. If my arms do not function usefully it does not mean I need a free bus pass, I am perfectly capable of walking.
Yes, people should feel able to help offered without guilt. But they should also be treated as an individual in their own rights, not just grouped into the category of “people with disabilities”. Disabled people are not “brave”. We live like everybody else. If you face difficulties, you do what you can to overcome them. You do this with perseverance, but most of all with a sense of humour. By all means congratulate someone on learning something new or working hard, but not just for existing.
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User Comments
Lucy Lockett
On July 24, 2007 at 2:45 pm
That was a good read.But I know that we are all special!
Pseudonym
On August 5, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Special I can accept, it’s “special” that bothers me
ecrivan
On September 5, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I don’t think society makes these terms you mentioned meaningless, I think that a lot has to do by the political correctness governed by a few. Other than that we need to discribe people one way or another. By the way I have lived through a few name changes and am tired of it. The loss of a limb, sight or whatever should not be viewed as limiting but put a blind man in a pilot’s seat would you take that flight? No you are not special but some people would benefit from certain amenties that society can provide. The key is to get them in the right places. I think it is up to all of us to remind our municipal leaders what we need and where so that we can all be happy with the quality of our lives.
howard.uk
On October 11, 2007 at 1:56 pm
my.disability.is.ihave.no.voice.box.cancer.].i.find.people.are.kind.but.treat.if.you.are.a.mental.defective.also.they.think.i.am.deaf.as.well.dumb.this.happens.alot.otherwise.i.just.get.on.with.life.i.can.see.ican.walk.and.yes.ican.hear
jo oliver
On August 16, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I disagree. My child is brave and she is special. She is is handicapped and can not walk, talk, or even hold her own head up. Yet, she fights and never gives up. She is brave in the face of illness so frightning that I cower just watching her go through the process, surgeries, etc..
Netty net
On October 7, 2009 at 12:39 am
What I don’t like is when some people go out of their way to treat the disable differently then anyone else. I really hate it.
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