to think Clare Short should apologise for using the term..

[blackeyedsusan]

"mongal baby!"

radio four, front row, tonight.

I think she needs re-educating. fast!

YABU

She has already apologised.

What then, is the point of this thread?

Whatmeworry feel better now.
?

What is wrong with talking about someone being "crippled". I understand cripple as a noun is offensive but "crippled" as an adjective I don't fine offensive: surely you are describing an effect not naming the person?

Can someone explain?

It implies complete uselessness, it's dated, and it's unpleasant.

Read up on the social model of disability

What is the appropriate adjective for being caused severe injury?

Kalskirata I'm not sure that helps unless you are talking about describing someone as a cripple, rather than crippled. Could you explain?

havibg been crippled

the social model says we are not disabled by our impairments but by barriers in society. For example. Im a wheelchair user. I come to the council building and there's steps. Is my condition disabling me and preventing me from going into the building? The medical model would say yes. I cant get into the building because I cannot walk. The social model would say put in a ramp and in I go. Clearly my impairment has not stopped me entering the building or nothing on earth would have got me in there. But removing barriers (the steps) did.
Thats a nutshell version.
And we dont say crippled. We say disabled.

crippled is an awful old term.
same as handicapped.
it is not pc to expect people to take time and learn the correct terms.
yes it is confusing.
I don't use impairment to describe my dd's disability. but others use that term to describe themselves or their child.