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?

Geekgrrl

Sorry it's taken a long time for me to reply. Yes I did find some negativity re my pregnancy. When I told my mother I was pg. (after 15 weeks, in case anything went wrong in the early stages), she just went quiet on the phone. I really miss, even now, the 'oh how lovely' or some such that I imagine most people get. I had already told my sister, who had said 'you can stop it, if you want to.' They both assumed it was an accident (I was 38, with a good career, and hadn't told anyone we were ttc, as I was pretty certain I was infertile, due to LOTS of pelvic x-rays in my childhood).

Most people in the medical profession were pretty non-plussed by me too. I think most of them thought my pg was accidental too. No-one ever offered to work with me to find ways for me to carry the baby more easily, or any such support. But then, I wouldn't have welcomed such help I guess.
I was terrified that some social worker would appear from nowhere, proclaim me unfit to care for my child and take him away, so I never asked for help. The health visitor later told me "we hardly ever do that now".

Last year, when my new hip broke, and dh was trying to work, look after me and ds (then 3) I did ask for some help. All social services offered was to put him in foster care !!!! Over our dead bodies we said.

Oh and BTW my sister (who has similar disabiities to my own), had chosen not to have children. When she and her dh chose to adopt, they were told they would only be accepted to adopt a child from a disturbed background, due to their age and my sister's disability. Explain that to me please.