How does everyone feel about the word 'handicapped'?

[heartinthecountry]

Just asking because in current issue of Junior they use the word twice in two pages (different articles). It really leapt out at me. Part of me wondering whether to write letter pointing this out. (Never normally do that sort of thing) But am I overreacting? Just think it has such negative connotations. What do others think? Does it matter? Is 'handicapped' any worse than 'disabled'? Does it really make any difference to how people with disabilities are seen?

Junior is the only parents mag I've come across that actually seems to recognise SN and disabilities so was surprised to see it there. Is it just sloppy journalism?

Do write in. They shouldn't be using terms like that - I don't think you're over-reacting at all.. It may be sloppy journalism, or sloppy sub-editing - I once wrote a piece for SHE on autism and sent it in with a very clear note on terminology...and it was edited to use the word 'suffering'. I ended up writing, grovellingly, to ALL my contacts.

I agree I think it is a very negative word and although we all worry now about being too PC I think this is one situation where it is warranted.

Don't like it myself.

I don't find it particularly negative - just a normal descriptive word. If, for example, you only have one leg then this will be a handicap to you in doing certain things.
However if you do find it offensive then you should probably let them know as you won't be alone in your views.

I don't find it offensive but would probably use the word 'disabled' in conversation myself.

I can't put my finger on why exactly but 'handicapped' is a word I really don't like. I also think that these days if you talked about having a handicap, the first thing that people think of is golf! Or is that just me?

I am similar to OO I think. I don't find it an offensive word, but not one I'd choose to use - would use disabled instead.

i hate the word. though i dont like most of the words used to describe them. i always feel like i am going to cause offence whatever word i use. any ideas??

Lol CT @ golf!.

I am the same , I don't know what it is but I can't bring myself to use the word, even as a child. It just feels wrong.

It's very very old fashioned. The active disability rights lobby hate it - but probably used by people who are not 'aware' in much the same way that 'coloured' is still used by people, not deliberately offensive, but not up to date. Inexcusable in a modern 'hip' magazine - they should have more awareness if they're going to take it uopn themselves to write about disability!

Wish I could express my opinions as well as you Blu.

I don't like handicapped at all but then I personally don't really like disabled either. However if I really needed to I would use disabled over handicapped any day.

If somebody refereed to Lottie as either of those though I'd ask how they thought those words should be attached to her exactly. What's her 'handicap' exactly and what isn't she able to do? On a personal level, as far as Lottie is concerned, she's got Down's syndrome so lets call it that and not refer to her as disabled, or anything else other then that or that she has special needs.

I think the trouble with those words is that they are umbrella words and I especially don't like them when attached to an individual.

I also agree that handicapped seems very old-fashioned.

I'll write to Junior too if you let me have more info, articles used in, issue date etc.

TC x

But it doens't sound like Lottie is either handicapped or disabled. In my mind they are both very physical terms - i.e. you are disabled because you have difficulty walking say - and do not cover a whole host of other special needs areas. But I guess that's all interpretation.
It does sound like the magazine was wrong to use the word as it is striking a wrong cord with a significant number of readers/ potential readers, so they should be made aware.

I don;t like the word disabled at all!!

I used the phrase 'differentially abled' once and wasn't rideculed but was sort of mentioned that I was being too PC - to a person like me who's only contact with the SN world is through mumsnet its really hard to know what to say!!

I still think we should have awareness classes like this in school (race/gender and disability) but maybe that is being a bit PC and they would have to be called PC lessons!!

Well after Junior's pathetic attempts at writing a piece on autism (and the cliches they came out with) I'm not really surprised.

I would use handicapped to describe my son IF I needed to prove a point. However I tend to use SEVERELY disabled to prove the same point (I have to do this as he looks "normal" so people don't get it). But I would use it either to be shocking or to attempt so ram some sense into the older generation, so yes its definitely an "old" word and a mildly offensive one.

I don't find the word disabled offensive at all in my son's case. My son isn't differently abled (although I would imagine that some people with disbilites are more different than dis iyswim) He is definitely DISabled.

I think it is worth complaining. I loathe Junipor magazine now- used to read it- but now it makes my teeth stand on edge.

I would find it difficult to see ds1 as 'disabled'. His ASD doesn't prevent him from doing the things he wants - it just prevents ME from doing the things I want. If anything I would say that in some ways his ASD has been an advantage to him. (Obviously this won't apply to every child with an ASD). "Differently Abled" does sound PC but I think it would be a more accurate description of ds1 than either "disabled" or "handicapped". I had a meeting with some of the staff at the school where ds1 will be going in September. I was looking at a booklet they had for parents of Reception children. The first page was "What we hope your child can do themselves before September". Ds1 will have problems with most of these things, eg dressing himself, using a toilet etc. The second page was "What we hope your child will be able to do by the end of the school year". Ds1 can do most (if not all) of these things already. He certainly has SN but "handicapped" and "disabled" just don't seem to be accurate descriptions for him IYSWIM.

Yes I was thinking coppertop that differently abled may be more aqppropriate to HFA and AS. It really doesn't fit ds1 though.

At the age of 5 he can't walk out of the front door without holding an adults hand (too dangerous- not even to the car). He can't tell me if something hurts. He can't tell me if he's tired. Using PECS he can now tell me if he wants something to eat. He can't sit down and listen to a story (although he has been trained to sit at set times - eg in school). He can't go shopping (because he can't queue). He can't be taught anything very easily. So although he is quite talented muscially (has a good ear anyway) there's no way he could learn to play an instrument. He can now kick a ball, but he can't play in any sort of organised game. He can't follow instructions beyond set phrases- so if I say "take this biscuit to ds2" he can now do it, but if I said "take that coat to your room" he couldn't. Definitely disabled.

I agree sponge, she isn't but [eop[le do refer to people with DS as being disabled. i'd rather they just refer to her as being DS or having special needs.

However the word disable is part of our lives now, it just comes up and it's there on 'disability lving allowance', 'disabled barking padge' etc and I have to accept that but I don't except handicapped.

I'm with you on this one coppertop.

Twinki 'differently-abled' is very pc but don't know if it'll catch on, doesn't exactly roll off the toiunge. You keep with it htough hon' maybe you could start something with that

JimJams - sorry to hear Junior wrote a piece on autism that would have given people the wrong impression, again, on autism. Did you say anything to Junior and offer to share your more real view on autism? An idea maybe????

Nope couldn't be bothered TC. Was going to write a letter but couldn't make it short enough (there were so many problems with the article). Also as usual had a stack of stroppies I needed to write re SALT.

I dont like handicapped but do use disabled. Someone said to me the other day 'well your dd doesnt look disabled' and I said 'she has the mental capacity of a 2 yr old and she is 4' 'oh but she looks fine and shes so pretty' >me in head 'oh well thats ok then, as long as she has implants she can make a living out of page 3 modelling<

sorry I hate 'retard' aswell, really really hate it

and it so hard when you havent got a diagnosis. What do you say? I cant exactly stand there for half an hour going through evrything, canI?

it feels v oldfashioned. i would use disabled/name the condition itself but as a radio producer I would always try to put the person first, then the condition iyswim. other pet hates: victim/sufferer

FIo2 I think you are in the same position as me. If I say autism - then people either think that is an excuse for bad behaviour, or that he has soime special talent or is a bit odd but good with computers. They still don't understand how difficult any- and I mean any- normal every day thing is for him. DS2 fell over today - came and told me his knee hurt his foot hurt, both needed a kiss and could I gve his head a kiss as well. He is 2!!!!!!! When we walk outside and I have both boys - I grab onto ds1 and tell ds2 to walk nicely next to me. He is streets ahead of ds1- years and years ahead- and I doubt ds1 will ever catch him up. So I use the word disabled so that people understand that ds1 has major problems- and even with a diagnosis it is much more effective for me to use that. (as many people don't really understand how disabling autism can be).

In fact- and this is slightly off topic. Recently a group of parents got together to organise holiday playschemes etc for disbaled children. Any disability. NOw some of the children have pretty severe CP- in some cases they are very disabled. HOwever what everyone has been shocked t discover (both sides I think) is that the it has been far more difficult to provide something for the autistic children than the children with CP. And that in terms of access to the community the autistic children are far far harder to accomodate that the children with CP (and attempts haven;t to date been very successful- except for the HFA's). So in some ways - they are more disbaled- than these children who are very clearly (to everyone) severely disabled. That was a very big surprise for everyone.

Just thought I would add that the dictionery definition of Disabled is:

lacking one or more physical powers, such as the ability to walk or co ordinate ones movements.

Theer is a usage note below which I have never sen in a dictionery before:

The use of 'the disabled' 'the blind' etc., can be offensive and should be avoided - instead you should talk about disabled peopple, blind people etc., An acceptable alternative to the word disabled is differently abled.

(Goodness I never knew that was in the dictionery!!)

Absolutley bundle and that's waht lots of people have difficulty doing, putting the individual first.
Fio - know where you are on that one mate. We were at science museum the other day and L was doing her bum shuffling & comanado creepiong arounf the garden bit and one of the women was laughing, (fair enough) and her method o getting around. She asked me how old she was and I saw her eyebrows go up when i told her she was 2.5! So I explained that she had DS and due to this and being hypermobile she wasn't standing etc yet. Her reaction was 'you wouldn't know, she doesn't look it does she, she's beautiful' and although that's sweet and thanks very much and all that I do feel a but like saying well why wouldn't she beautiful and what exactly is she supposed to look like then to look like she has DS?? dykwim? It sometimes feels as if people are surprised that becasue she's cute, pretty etc that she shouldn't have DS???? Anyway not making a big thing out if oit, just an observation on the back of what you were saying Fio.

JimJams - I guess if you responded to every badlky written article, as well as everything else you have to fight against, fight for etc you'd never have time to live!

jimjams I have often thought we encounter the same problems. My ds is streets ahead aswell but he is a little rascal alot of the time! DD does understand a road is a road, she has no sense of danger, she is very trusting to strangers, she will fall over a stone on the fall. I have to watch her constantly. ds I can let go up to his room to fetch a toy on his own if I wished. DD has to be watched constantly, stair everything. It is constant. But she 'looks' normal. I am sure you understand this. She has started self harming aswell. I think I should start another post. When people keep saying though, 'oh she looks fine' and that I start thinking I shouldnt be getting the benefits aswell and that people dont beleive me ykwim

sorry you couldnt get ds1 into a playscheme