Can We Get Rid of the Word Disabled?

According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, disabled means incapacitated by illness, injury, or wounds; physically or mentally impaired. It is a simple word really, but it has to be one of my least favorite words in the English language. I dislike the word because of the negative connotations that go along with it. When people hear the word disabled, they automatically think a person is broken and cannot do the things a “normal” person can do. More often than not, we think a disabled person cannot do “anything”. We offer then our pity, our help, or, sadly, our avoidance. We treat disabled people like they are helpless.

My son is not disabled, he is visually impaired. He can do everything any other “normal” six-year-old can do; he just may do it differently. Nathaniel runs, jumps, climbs, plays. He watches television and plays on the computer. He goes to school, reads, writes, draws, colors, and makes friends. He plays sports, fights with his brother, helps make his own breakfast, cannot keep his room clean, and enjoys board games. He is friendly, independent, outspoken, and a bundle of energy. He is everything my wife and I ever dreamed he would be. He just does not see very well.

Does Nathaniel’s visual impairment pose challenges? Of course it does. Does he have to be careful when he runs and climbs because his depth-perception is extremely limited? Yes. Does he sit twelve inches from the television and the computer to see the screen? Yes. Does he read Braille, in addition to large print? Yes. Is his hand-writing big and sloppy? Yes. Does he use a bright yellow ball on the soccer field so he can track is easier? Yes. Despite his low vision, Nathaniel has found his own ways to adapt, to do everything everybody else is doing. Does he do some things differently? Yes. Does this mean he is disabled? Absolutely not!!!!!!

Nathaniel will probably never be able to drive a car, become a professional athlete, or join the military, but who cares? I certainly don’t. How many six-year-olds know how to ride the city buses? Nathaniel does. How many six-year-olds are learning to read and write in two different languages? My son is. Not only is he learning to read and write in print, but he is learning to read and write in Braille. If you don’t think Braille is another language, I have news for you. Braille is extremely complex and difficult to learn, trust me on this one because I am learning it right along with Nathaniel and it is driving me nuts.

Disabled means incapacitated by illness, injury or wounds; physically or mentally impaired. Nathaniel is not disabled, he is visually impaired. He does not need pity and people should not avoid him simply because he is “different”. Trust me, if he needs help, he will let you know. He is definitely not incapacitated. In fact, in many ways his “disability” has helped show how intelligent, adaptable, and capable he really is.

Seriously, can we get rid of the word disabled? We are doing the people with physical and mental challenges a disservice by labeling them as incapacitated.