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February 19, 2008
Tapping the Power of Words, Actions
Last week, I cited Professor MacDougall’s explanation of how people with disabilities have come from the “deaf and dumb” era to today’s focus on “super crips” (extraordinary human beings doing ordinary things which people tend to label “exceptional”).
I think his historical framework shows how complicated tearing down stubborn perceptions about disability (and converting a worn-out language) can be.
I'm encouraged by the personal-experience stories I'm receiving from job seekers with disabilities who are saying, "Goodbye," to a truly prejudiced prospective employer.
Here's another bit of good news. Most of the barriers job seekers with disabilities face in the job market seem to stem from lack of information or knowledge about disability employment issues -- not prejudice. Those who hold onto a belief in spite of overwhelming proof to the opposite are prejudiced.
But, here's the best news of all. Job seekers with disabilities can tackle fear and ignorance among the prospective employers they visit as part of their job searches. Job hunting is a one-on-one game. We don't have to launch a massive campaign to change the myths held by 300 million Americans about disability and how they relate to employment.
It just takes work and insight on a one-to-one basis. It’s no small task, but it's doable.
However, your comments during the last few days have made me realize there’s more than one way to gain a better understanding of our disabilities among the people with which we play and work.
Do words count more than actions in this regard?
Here’s a sampling of last week’s comments from people who believe words play a key role in how people with disabilities are perceived.
Liz writes:
“I think words can and do hurt you. I have a friend who is working at a nationally known non-profit in Ontario. Her boss does not call her by her given name but calls her 'Gimpy.'
“My friend has a problem with her knee. She's not fully disabled. It's a temporary thing. Being called 'Gimpy' in front of not only her fellow workers but also the consumers of this non-profit gives off the impression that it's OK to use disparaging terms about someone who is disabled. It's the old 'Oh, can't you take a joke?' mentality when, in reality, this organization is geared to those with intellectual impairments and those involved should know better.”
Liz adds:
“At the moment, I'm reading Eckhardt Tolle's book, ‘The New Earth,’ and, on pages 50 and 51, he makes a very interesting point that I believe speaks to last week’s observations.
"’Equating the physical-sense … body that is destined to grow old, wither and die with ‘I’ always leads to suffering sooner or later. To refrain from identifying with the body doesn't mean that you neglect, despise or no longer care for it. If it is strong, beautiful or vigorous, you can enjoy and appreciate those attributes while they last. You can also improve the body's condition through right nutrition and exercise.
“’If you don't equate the body with who you are, when beauty fades, vigor diminishes or the body becomes incapacitated, your sense of worth or identity … will not be affected. In fact, as the body begins to weaken, the formless dimension (the light of consciousness) can shine more easily through the fading form.
“’It is not just people with good or near perfect bodies who are likely to equate it with who they are. You can just as easily identify with a ‘problematic’ body and make the body's imperfection, illness or disability into your identity. You may think and speak of yourself as a ‘sufferer’ of this or that chronic illness or disability… You then unconsciously cling to the illness because it has become the most important part of who you perceive yourself to be. It has become another thought from which the ego can identify. Once the ego has found an identity, it does not want to let go.’
“So, in order to not let others give us an identity with words that we do not wish to be, we must confront those who use words that don’t clearly communicate the facts or are demeaning or offensive.”
Kathy notes:
“’Handicap’ conjures up an image of someone on the street corner with 'cap in hand,' begging for handouts and charity. Various disability rights publications like to tie the ‘cap in hand’ image to the word ‘handicap.’ If you consult an authoritative source such as the Oxford English Dictionary, you will find nothing in the derivation to support this association. There is enough misinformation about disability; we don't need to perpetuate this one.”
Unlike Liz and Kathy, however, some believe words are not as relevant as actions in the attempt each one of us launches to gain “equal dignity” in the eyes of others.
Barney, for instance, writes:
“…Our actions and the actions of others speak far louder than any words anyone can ever say about me. I honestly have neither the time nor the energy to engage in a battle over semantics. I am happy to teach folks about the correct way, but, in the end, I am more interested in how I am treated.”
Jim Elekes agrees with Barney:
“The process of language is complex and, quite often, unintentional. What of the terms ‘white space,’ ‘black ice’ and ‘yellow journalism?’ Are we to presume these terms are derived from an attempted distain for specific racial characteristics? I think not…
“Let's not lose focus on the primary issues at hand: enhanced employment opportunity, equitable/fair treatment and one's individual self-worth. Without these, there is no foothold on which to step-up to other incidentals on the sidelines.”
Maybe picking the path to putting your disability into a perspective that works best for you depends on your circumstances, your personality and your temperament.
For a little bit more about how I have personally handled this issue, read “The Backdoor Into Adulthood.”
What have you done in your own life to break through the misunderstanding about your disability that language sometimes perpetuates?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Jim at February 19, 2008 01:04 PM
Comments
People, who are in need of attention, sympathy, excuses, often are super sensitive.
Perfectly good words such as gimpy cause or allow for a little hissifit.
Some people are naturally positive and other's crave and wallow in self pity.
Disability describes an existing, physical or condition and handicap describes any limitation's resulting because of the particular disabling, condition.
I avoid high step up's, stairs and difficult Terrain due to my Gimpy Hips and other sore joint's.
That cold Weather up North tends to make some, gimpy, people a little cranky and grouchy.
By wishing people that you meet a pleasant day, it tend's to make your own Day a little brighter.
Posted by: C. Fred Stout at February 21, 2008 06:34 PM
Having insulin-dependent diabetes for nearly all of my life, dotted with the related disability and medical complications has long exposed me to "off color" characterizations from "Temporary Able Bodied" individuals. The most common, "Sugar Baby" has been a consistant reference since my youth, second only to "Blink" referring to my blindness. I have developed a strategy to joke about my condition when responding to such comments, e.g. "Yes, I'm naturally sweet and, that doesn't even match my personality". I believe the focus should be twofold, have the individual making the comment realize how foolish it was by interjecting your own humor (such as that noted) and, use that situation to focus the individual on your Knowledge, Skills and /Abilities (KSA's). In this way, the individual doesn't come away from the meeting thinking you're just another "Sugar Baby", "Blink" or other terms (all related to my circumstance) but, rather a talented, personable individual that just happens to have a disability/medical condition that, in the overall scheme of life, isn't significant to your attributes which make you unique. There will always be members of humanity whose "vision" is far more myopic than ours.
Posted by: James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM at March 2, 2008 12:12 AM
Enjoying sight but labeled Blind The Larger question is: Am I Blind or or they? I realize I might be opening a whole can of worms here: I do not want to be insensitive to the Blind Community. However, I feel the topic warrants discussion if only to begin the conversation and further society understands of the terms – Blind, Legally Blind and Visually Impaired. These terms are constantly used interchangeable and with ever increasingly attempts to simply mash those into one solidified term of Visually Impaired – MEANING NO SIGHT or for al practical purpose BLIND. They are not a one size fits all to the “Visually impaired Community at large.”
We are all different based on socio- economics, education acuity and most importantly diagnoses. I am 20/200 in my best eye and 20/400 in my weak eye. I recently had some p[hamomal surgery in which I had an over all increase in vision of 32 %. I see colors vividly. I recognize people’s faces up to 15 feet away. I know what I gained. I say this unapologetically” I AM NOT BLIND. I AM SIGHTED.’
Problem: I am so tired of people particularly in the (NFP) Service Provider Disability Industry referring to “all low vision individuals as Blind”. I rejoice in the sight I have. I see better than I have seen in my entire life! My depth perception is good, night vision is good. I walk up and down steps just fine without assistant. Yet due to the fact I am considered Legally Blind, the people around me refer to me as being blind. If you are without sight, please do not take this personally, I am not saying I am embared to be identified as one of you. I would be so honored but my friend this is not my story.
QUESTION: How do we educate? It is the age old question, is your cup half full or half empty? Mine is half full of Sight.
Signed Bothered by the ignorant people of the world and even in the disability community.
Posted by: J at April 16, 2008 02:26 PM