"speshul"

Re: "speshul"

• Florak8

  February 2012

  Yes, it bugs me. I use "special needs" to talk about my child's health concerns, and when someone uses it about themselves or another person, comparing themselves to a disabled person, that comparison is meant to be derogatory. Many people do it without thinking, the way many people say, "Oh, that's gay." or "You are retarded." I wish people would start thinking!

  If someone says something like, "I'm kinda special" or "My dog needs an IEP" I usually just say, "So is/does my child." I don't say it to be hurtful, but I do hope that it is a teachable moment. The fact is, even though the person saying it probably has no ill intentions, if we accept that underlying attitude toward people with disabilities, that leads to pain and low self-esteem for kids with any kind of disability. And those kids can take that with them their whole lives.

  Some people feel I should just get over it, but when it comes to making the world a kinder place for children, I think it is important to speak up! 

   

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• Justinlove member

  February 2012

  -auntie-:

   It's really, really hard to not offend.

  So so true. 

  My Craft Blog: Sew Girly Studio

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• Florak8

  February 2012

  I think there is a difference between being offended, and wanting to change underlying societal attitudes. If we take the time to think about what our offhanded comments actually mean, then we will learn to speak in a more precise and meaningful way. And we won't have to worry about offending others with our word choice.

  That said, in the current culture of "Why should I have to change to make someone else more comfortable?" I am not sure that this shift will happen. The article you shared does give me hope, though. I am pretty glad I don't have to read reports that label my child a moron.

   

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