If you type "define cripple" into the Google search engine, you will read this at the top of the page:
After Googling this woman, Nancy Mairs, I stumbled upon another jewel of a piece, On Being A Cripple. Despite being allowed only a small excerpt, I also found her candid and unapologetic honesty in addressing disability with a blunt "take it or leave it" attitude.
Upon an initial reading, I wondered why she had to label herself a cripple at all. Aren't we supposed to avoid labelling? Haven't we been warned of the self-detrimental effects of labelling and categorization of people?
However, upon some reflection, I realized that the word "cripple" does not serve as a label or a modifier, but instead as a small adjective, the kind that everyone must use to describe themselves in some way or another.
With the word cripple, Mairs accomplishes two things:
1. Cripple is actually less of a 'labelling' word than handicapped or disabled, as those two words imply some permanent or all-encompassing disadvantage to her situation and serve only a superficial euphemistic purpose in describing her condition. And the word cripple also has a unique "accuracy with which it describes [her] condition: [she has] lost full use of [her] limbs."
2. With the word cripple, Mairs chooses to call only herself this because "society is no readier to accept crippledness than to accept death, war, sex, sweat, or wrinkles."
"Perhaps I want them to wince."
crip·ple
ˈkripəl/
noun
- 1.datedoffensivea person who is unable to walk or move properly because of disability or injury to their back or legs.
After Googling this woman, Nancy Mairs, I stumbled upon another jewel of a piece, On Being A Cripple. Despite being allowed only a small excerpt, I also found her candid and unapologetic honesty in addressing disability with a blunt "take it or leave it" attitude.
Upon an initial reading, I wondered why she had to label herself a cripple at all. Aren't we supposed to avoid labelling? Haven't we been warned of the self-detrimental effects of labelling and categorization of people?
However, upon some reflection, I realized that the word "cripple" does not serve as a label or a modifier, but instead as a small adjective, the kind that everyone must use to describe themselves in some way or another.
With the word cripple, Mairs accomplishes two things:
1. Cripple is actually less of a 'labelling' word than handicapped or disabled, as those two words imply some permanent or all-encompassing disadvantage to her situation and serve only a superficial euphemistic purpose in describing her condition. And the word cripple also has a unique "accuracy with which it describes [her] condition: [she has] lost full use of [her] limbs."
2. With the word cripple, Mairs chooses to call only herself this because "society is no readier to accept crippledness than to accept death, war, sex, sweat, or wrinkles."
"Perhaps I want them to wince."
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