I’ve been having a lot of things float across my radar that have got me thinking about labeling around the issue of disability. Lets start with some links while I try and synthesise my brain a bit.
- Cerebral palsy change for the Spastic Centre – Health – News – Northern District Times. As a former client of the service in my childhood can I just say. Yay! I’m pretty sure this was being mooted 25 years ago. As a child I hated having to say spastic in relation to myself because even though it was the correct technical term; describing a person who spasms,it was; and is derogatory. I just hope that they don’t spend the next 66 years having to handle the re-branding like others have had to so for so long.
- This post over at Deeply Problematic, looks at the definitions we give ourselves particularly around disability. Word order defines focus and priorities and, as such the messages we want to give others. Am I a
- disabled woman;
- woman with a disability,
- differently abled woman
- normal woman who just sits a lot
I remember thinking of myself as the last of these growing up and into my twenties. I found when strangers and children asked it was the the one that defused the tension, reduced fear.
While my impairment was visible (the main one anyone), the effects were not all as apparent as the wheelchair. Therefore I too have the choice as to my label. It’s got me thinking. More on this as it comes to hand (or head in this case). In the meant-time I have said some of this stuff before.
- Another post on the lessons on visible/invisible temporary/permanent disability and the fct that we all need to be asked “How are you?” My favourite line, because I can so relate:
For the fifth time that night, I had to explain myself, and I was getting a little tired of my on-going narrative. I gave her the 60-second version of my story.
I just hope I can remember to ask the question and wait for the answer.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Tuesday/Wednesday tiny; Maybe not such a dork these days
- What will
- A cautionary tale aka: of Picolo, cake and dodos
- A big moment yesterday Newtown station works
- But something I did like
, which is actually lovely and already hot off the presses in Australia. I’ve finished the section on “reverence” and can feel the everyday experience, of observation and stillness changing because of it.
