A couple of years ago I was ringing around different disability
equipment places to find cheaper tyres for my scooter, and several of
them referred to the scooter as an `invalid vehicle'.  I quite tersely
put them straight, although I am quite sure what I said didn't really
register, and crossed them off my list.  I HATE the word `invalid' as
it implies that I'm both ill and not valid as a person.  Funnily enough,
the only people that I have encountered who have used the term
`invalid vehicle', who have actually acknowledged their mistake and
fully understood my reasons for correcting them were RAC (Royal
Automotive Club) mechanics who came out at various times to fix flat
tyres on the scooter. (RAC is one of the car insurance and emergency
fixit companies here - they fix minor scooter and wheelchair problems
for FREE - they are NOT a disability organisation.)  I find it ironic
that I get the best assistance and treatment for most things relating to the
CP from mainstream businesses and organisations.

Rayna

On Sat, Apr 21, 2001 at 12:37:08PM -0400, K. Salkin wrote:
    I had a couple of additional thoughts on this, so please bear with me.

    I suppose the reason I dislike the term "illness" so much is because it
    implies I'm an invalid with a chronic condition