not sure if im posting this in the right place but. .

[Mummywithlove]

i have a prem baby who is now 20months old and she has a few medical problems and when she was born she was abit stiff muscularly! but ok now, well basically what rights does my daughter's health visitor have to call her a Spatic,,, and another one a masurbator becasue she rocks herself to sleep (in the frog position)... i find these words offensive the word that has really pissed me off was the word masurbator shes 20 months old. How the hell would she know about masturbating! ! Help, do we have any rights against her or is it ok to right a letter with these words in it? many thanks xx

sorry i got things muddled up my daughters physiotherapist put in a letter thats my daughters a spastic and the health visitor said in a letter that my daughters a masurbator! so do we have any right againest these words being written?

i know the "spastic" is stiffness of the limb but people ie Me can take it the wrong way, but in the letter this is what it says, when i first ment ?!*@:? she was VERY spastic,,,,
,~@/ self harms, she pinches herself bites herself and is a masturbator! I think these words are inappropriate x

Um the word spastic was used totally appropriately, in the medical context. As it would seem were the other descriptions. I admit that the description sounds pretty distressing but healthcare providers need to accurately describe your dd behaviour if they are to provide her with the follow up support she needs. Pussy footing around using euphemisms would be v unprofessional. They are not trying to offend you, they are trying to pass on details about her symptoms. Both the spasticity and behavioural issues could both be related to your dds difficult start. My dd had low muscle tone rather than high (spastic) and no behavioural issues but was also a candidate for suspected cerebral palsy due to early oxygen deprivation and brain bleeds. Channel your anger at the words used to accessing the help your dd might need. Physio really helped my little girl and she was lucky enough to overcome her muscle tone issues.

Agree with pp. The word 'spastic' can be offensive but only when used to insult someone. In the medical world it is not.

In the way you describe it as being used, it is correct and in context. My dd, an ex27weeker has spastic cerebral palsy. She is spastic (stiff) in her 4 limbs. It is the medical term. That is just how it is.

It is not a nice word to hear initially but I think that stems from our childhood and being brought up to know that using that word was very wrong and cruel. You will soon get used to it in the right context and it is another way of describing your child's muscle tone.

ok i do get all of your post its probz me just being daft but what about the word "MASTURBATOR" I find any thing about this word other than 'pleasuring' so my dd is a MASTURBATOR as she rocks herself to sleep?? my husband thinks this word is utter disgusting what do u all think? is it the right term for a child who "rock's" to sleep,? x

I guess it is the medical term again. I am sure that if you contact the medical professional who wrote this and explained your shock and concerns at the expressions being used, they will be more than happy to explain what exactly they mean.

Another medical term. I would contact the dr who wrote the letter and explain your upset and concerns at the words used and I am sure they will be happy to talk and explain all.

On this premmie journey, I have learnt if you are not happy with anything, speak up and make sure you are heard and listened too.

Oops thought I had lost my last post, so repost, hence 2 posts saying pretty much the same thing. Sorry .