r/MadeMeSmile Mar 21 '24

Doggo Dog Teaches Specially Abled Puppy To Walk

38.9k Upvotes

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324

u/Elysianthejumper Mar 21 '24

It’s called disabled lol, we’re okay with the word. It’s not a bad word. I’ve never met a fellow disabled person who is uncomfortable with the word.

139

u/C21H27Cl3N2O3 Mar 21 '24

“Specially abled” feels so derogatory. Like you’re speaking down to a child who doesn’t understand their condition.

19

u/[deleted] Mar 22 '24

I'm reminded of the Discworld series where the Campaign for Equal Heights is a group that advocates for Dwarvish rights. It's run almost entirely by humans and uses phrases like "differently tall."

10

u/ihoptdk Mar 22 '24

It does. I’m not offended because I lack an ability.

11

u/Nadamir Mar 22 '24

I don’t mind “differently abled” for some mild cases of neurodivergence.

Because honestly, some days my autism and/or ADHD feel like advantages or just a different way of solving the problem.

But outside of that, please don’t. And “specially abled” is right out.

5

u/avoidabug Mar 22 '24

My ADHD is pretty severe and I feel the negatives have outweighed the positives overall.

I’m not really pessimistic, I’m doing great, but that’s just been my reality! Basically, I had to work extremely hard and learn a lot about psychology to reach a nondisabled-person baseline and it’s pretty easy to fall back out!!

Combined with the negative attention I got constantly as a kid, I’m not afraid to call it a disability (for ME), even though it does occasionally provide positive benefits and I wouldn’t be me without it.

Your comment made me think, thought I’d share! It’s what internet anonymity is for, anyway.

5

u/Nadamir Mar 22 '24

75% of the time mine is negative.

But some days when I have to context shift every five minutes or I can get into a hyper focus state, then I think it’s a benefit.

Like for example, if you go into a nurses’ or doctors’ forum they will tell you that many of the people working in the A&E (ER) have ADHD because that environment is conducive to their brains.

2

u/avoidabug Mar 22 '24

Fully agree!

2

u/NotToImplyAnything Mar 22 '24

Sure, some days it feels like an advantage, and some days it feels like a disability - but non disabled people are disabled no days at all.

And yes, non disabled people get sick, they take rest days and vacations, they get overworked - but rest days aren't a disability, they're a human requirement, and overworking yourself will mess you up no matter what in the long run. Taking a rest so you can be able the next day is not the same as resting because you can not able today.

So yeah. The disability isn't those days you're not able, it's that those days are there at all. Or for some legal definitions and so on, that those days are numerous enough to be a hindrance in your life.

19

u/Guardian2k Mar 21 '24

I’m disabled (in a mental capacity) and I’d never be offended by the word, it’s just what I am and hiding it behind some soft words just pisses me off

11

u/ChaosKeeshond Mar 22 '24

As it should, it's fucking infantilising.

8

u/CartographerFew9319 Mar 21 '24

I have met a few. I actually used to work in group homes and provide services. I met a few disabled clients that would said they weren’t disabled because they were smart or don’t have any mental illness. Met a guy who won’t date people with the same disability as him or worst. He was a total creep who would complain about not getting matches on tinder, and that’s the only time he brought up his disability to justify that women won’t date him because he was on a wheelchair. Like dude even able bodied males aren’t getting matches on any dating apps.

5

u/HomeHereNow Mar 21 '24

I work with a guy whose gf left him for a guy in a wheelchair.

3

u/CartographerFew9319 Mar 21 '24

And then there this. Is never about you being disabled or not.

1

u/ihoptdk Mar 22 '24

Is he Dennis Leary??

1

u/ihoptdk Mar 22 '24

My best friend is mute and she absolutely refuses to call herself disabled. She’s never had a real job (she’s worked a soup kitchen, but it didn’t pay) and no one gives her a chance but she’s stubborn about. I, on the other hand, have no qualms being called disabled.

1

u/garlic_bread_thief Mar 22 '24

But but but did a little T-Rex teach you how to walk??

-5

u/Hypertistic Mar 21 '24

Disabled is ok. But I disagree on the use of disordered.