69 replies to this topic

[InfiniteE]

It don't bother me. People are ignorant so it is what it is. Plus I'm an mc/lyricist/rapper so I find ways to use things like that to my advantage in a battle (see the movie 8 Mile if u don't understand a battle) which is a challenge cuz you have to be quick witted

[sgrunt]

Here in Italy there is an open struggle about definitions.

In the past, people was called invalid, handicapped (still used), or even... "unhappy" (rare).
Then we've adopted the term "disabled".
Then "differently abled" (diversamente abile), sometimes shortened in "differable" (diversabile)
Now the cool term seems to be "person with different abilities".

IMHO these new definitions are too mentals: disabled people still call themselves "disabled".
It is right to make obsolete some terms like "handicapped", because in the current language they are used as offense ("you drive like an handicapped!") but "person with different abilities" is really too much.

[Dave Bishopstone]

catmint, on 08 June 2011 - 12:27 PM, said:

dangerousdave, on 08 June 2011 - 08:15 AM, said:

In the minds of the many.....the word Cripple is associated with polio and thus calapers and wheelchairs
It is a word I like as it singles us wheelies out from the multitude of disabilities
The trouble with the word Disabled is that it is now being associated with the word Scrounger
Something the word Cripple is never associated with

I think you make a valid point Dave. The word Disabled has been abused and is all but meaningless. I believe the average person does bracket the word Disabled with scrounger and Benefit Cheat.

Just my opinion

Unfortunately in the UK we live in times where it is popular to demonise the disabled as being scroungers, of public servants for allegedly getting better pensions, all because we are meant to forget those who caused the financial problems we face by greed and taking their eye off the ball - easier to hate than rationalise - at least that's the politicians theory - sadly seems to be working!

[Beautiful]

I just made a shirt at the mall. It says "Gimpin Aint Easy"

hahaha

[greybeard]

Beautiful, on 06 August 2011 - 11:09 PM, said:

I just made a shirt at the mall. It says "Gimpin Aint Easy"

hahaha

Bravo. Now let's see you in it then!

[mellowgator]

i'm a crippled gimp and i own it.

[Edinburgh Colin]

I think it offends AB's because it makes them uncomfortable as it's got old association with insults etc. Only we who live this life and have have experienced the dark humour of a spinal unit know that as the Vietnam soldiers used to say "it don't mean nothing".
I think it takes a different kind of comment or action to cause us offence. The assumption we are mentally incapacitated just because we have issues below the neck line for example is a huge one! The assumption we are totally incapable of anything and need pushed at every opportunity really pisses me off, I like to stop, turn and just give the person in question a push and see their reaction, "priceless".
Sorry drifting a bit off topic, got carried away in my Gimpdom!
EC

[racepace]

i think AB find it more offensive as they dont know how we are going to take it, whether we will take offence or not,like walking on egg shells. i dont take offence to it at all to be honest, whatever way you put it; cripple, gimp, differently abled, wheelchair bound, pretty f*@ked it all means the same thing and its true.

[mkatglo]

I call myself a "gimp" all the time, to the point where I put personalized plates on the car that said GMPEE. I agree with the post that said there are more things to be concerned with than being PC about this.

[Steven K]

The words Gimp and Crippled are alive and well in my town. I get called one or the other (at least referred to as being...) every day. I got offended by it the first 1000 times but now whatever, i got bigger fish to fry