Today I was tagged on Twitter by Someone’s Mum to share my thoughts on her recent post. I was responding via Twitter and then realise I didn’t just have a little something to say on the matter, but something much bigger. And this is where my post began. Firstly I’d like to say that this is a beautifully written piece, and 100% spot on.

The language of words is utterly powerful, but peoples connotations of said words is part of the problem. I am disabled, but that is not all of who I am it’s a part of me just as my size is.

I use the adjective freely, because that is what it is; describing a part of me. People get far too caught up in the semantics of words, it’s literarily and linguist Dick meaning, but we as a society, we as the world need to educate one another. What one person might prefer to be called, might be different to that of another, but it doesn’t change The definition of the word, only people’s interpretation of it.

The dictionary definition of the word disabled is:
adjective
1(Of a person) having a physical or mental condition that limits their movements, senses, or activities.
Which is clear cut, clinical and unemotional.

However, it still does not mean that people who are disabled are defined by its semantics and that only.It does however, mean that we fit into a category and description of a word.
Society choose not to use these words in fear of offending someone, yet these are the words that describe and define a part of who we are.
Words describe something, someone, a place, or a feeling: yet the same words are broken into sub sections, or collectives such as; nouns,pronouns and adjectives.
We don’t fear such connotations or literal meaning of the word capable, so why is the word disabled seen as negative?

We see the word disabled, and associate it with failure, DIS a Latin prefix meaning “apart,” “asunder,” “away,” “utterly,” or having a privative, negative, or reversing force (see de-, un-2.); used freely, especially with these latter senses, as an English formative:
disability; disaffirm; disbar; disbelief; discontent; dishearten; dislike; disown.

Inherently we believe it’s a negative , as a society were told its a negative. Semantics tell us it’s a negative.

So how do I as a disabled person encourage you to ignore The semantics and stereotypes, while taking into account the person who has the disability?

I continue with life, face the barriers and obstacles put in my path and bulldoze through them. You are a human, I am a human. Humans show compassion and empathy towards one another. What I ask is that you are vigilant of my disability, do not discriminate or undermine my capabilities, but trust and have faith that with the right support, Technology and education I too can achieve the same things you can. I may take the long way round, I may look strange when doing so, but fundamentally I am human, I am just like you.

You can read more from the excellent Sassy Wyatt at her webpage Thinking Out Loud by clicking here

featured image Disability signs