I agree! I hate the terms "special" or "excellent"(and I do not use the word hate often). As a child it made me feel like they wanted me to believe it was a good thing, and sorry painful PT and being the odd one was NOT special. For me those words were and are demeaning to what I faced. I wanted them to respect me as a person as well as the challenges that were part of my life. It shaped me and made who I am, and that is someone I like! I am not a victim. I am not afflicted. I have a condition that does not have me. I may "special" but CP is not the reason. Now as a professional that works with individuals who have disabilities I find that they tend to agree with me. I of course never tell a parent they are wrong to use those terms but find adults tend to find saying this is NAME who has XXX to be more honest and respectful.
Christine
-----Original Message-----
From: Cerebral Palsy List on behalf of Magenta Raine
Sent: Tue 2/7/2006 9:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: The Physically Challenged
rolling my eyes , do not call me "special" either, that is as bad as
handicapped, except that on some level I don't mind handicapped as much as
disabled. Handicapped just means we have to work harder at things.
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> [Original Message]
> From: Meir Weiss <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2/7/2006 11:49:40 AM
> Subject: The Physically Challenged
>
> The Physically Challenged
>
> http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article.asp?AID=60871
>
>
> If an individual is handicapped, he or she is challenged by Divine
Providence to
> uncover hidden abilities and energies to overcome his or her handicap,
and to
> attain higher levels of achievement than others who are not similarly
> handicapped.
>
> I strongly recommend a change in the term "handicapped" -- and prefer the
term
> "special" or "excellent". For it is their specialty and excellence that
enables
> them to transcend whatever physical limitations they may have.
>
>
> RELATED ARTICLES
>
> A Timeline Biography of the Rebbe:
> 1977: Illness & Challenge
> http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=62179
> First Person:
> A Rehearsal for Redemption
> http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=143508
