PEEVE: Disabled is a Dirty Word

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Rosemarie Shiver - 25 Feb 2006 20:33 GMT

Dunno if it's ever been used as a category b4, but I'm using the word
PEEVE as a category title. :-) Not quite a Pet PEEVE, but it's got me PEEVED
nonetheless.

The call asked if there's a male aged 45-80 available. Uncomfortably,
no. So the caller settled for me. :-(

Which was good for the survey I volunteered my time for, because it was
about knee replacements. OK...I know enuff ppl. here who've had them.

Lotta questions about ads I've seen and websites I visit. Ended up
being for and about Stryker. That's ok, too...I've heard good things. I
can't have them and I hope the RD can get what I have under control so that
if/when they're needed I can have 'em.

Anyway, the categories I could fit in included "unemployed, homemaker,
retired". All the others required earning on a daily basis away from home.
No 'disabled'. From an orthopedic appliance company. I got put in the
'homemaker' category over my squawking about it. Couldn't get 'retired'; I'm
only 48. Not 'unemployed' since I can't get employed...so "homemaker" it is.
Disabling arthritis doesn't count fer much...not even with Stryker. Don't
they think that ppl. have their knees implanted to overcome disability? I
can't right now...so I get 'homemaker' cuz I'm female. I even got asked
about not being able to do things I used to enjoy...gee, it's b'cuz I'm
disabled, ya idjits!

Not only is the above ignorant, but it's sexist, too. I'm peeved.

Larry up in Heaven...it's disabled: I still don't have a handicap. <bg>

Ticked Off Gimp Hugs from Rosie

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"If you wanna get it done, you gotta fight for yourself." -- Meat Loaf, Bat
Outta Hell II

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Smokie Darling (Annie) - 26 Feb 2006 06:37 GMT

> Dunno if it's ever been used as a category b4, but I'm using the word
> PEEVE as a category title. :-) Not quite a Pet PEEVE, but it's got me PEEVED
> nonetheless.

Remember the artist who joined a while back? She had AS, and shared
the link to her website with her art? I preferred her choice of word,
she wasn't DISabled, she was DIFFabled. I loved it then, and love it
now.

> The call asked if there's a male aged 45-80 available. Uncomfortably,
> no. So the caller settled for me. :-(

Hmm, don't *you* feel special?

> Which was good for the survey I volunteered my time for, because it was
> about knee replacements. OK...I know enuff ppl. here who've had them.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> about not being able to do things I used to enjoy...gee, it's b'cuz I'm
> disabled, ya idjits!

The last survey I took part in, they wouldn't accept "homemaker", since
I have difficulties doing the homemaker routine. They listed me as
unemployed (lucky me).

> Not only is the above ignorant, but it's sexist, too. I'm peeved.
>
> Larry up in Heaven...it's disabled:

I still don't have a handicap. <bg>

Ummmm, wouldn't go *that* far <VBEG>

> Ticked Off Gimp Hugs from Rosie
>
> --
> "If you wanna get it done, you gotta fight for yourself." -- Meat Loaf, Bat
> Outta Hell II

{{{{gentle e-hugs for Rosie}}}} hope the ticked goes away soon.

Smokei Darling (Annie)

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Nann Bell - 26 Feb 2006 21:53 GMT

> Anyway, the categories I could fit in included "unemployed, homemaker,
> retired". All the others required earning on a daily basis away from home.
> No 'disabled'. From an orthopedic appliance company. I got put in the
> 'homemaker' category over my squawking about it. Couldn't get 'retired'; I'm
> only 48. Not 'unemployed' since I can't get employed...so "homemaker" it is.

heehee, actually I DO get your point, but I have to chuckle a bit too.
Present day US society has made people so edgy about what terms they can and
can't use. "Disabled" is one of those terms with some people. Possibly they
were worried about offending people by having it as an option.

Now, as for homemaker, was it definitely because you were female? What would
they have said if a male answered homemaker? It is not a gender-specific
term today.

Back in the days when I made at least a tiny bit per year through some
endeavor, I stuck with self-employed, but then they just asked about
household income, not individual income. I've finally given in to
"homemaker" for a while. I do 90% of what housework gets done. And 90% of
the cooking. And I do a lot of cooking for church dinners, receptions and
pot lucks these days. So yes, to the extent that I "work", I am a homemaker.

Reminds of when Mike was laid off from school teaching and hated writing
checks at teh grocery store because they asked for a work place and number.
He was doing some sub work and trying his hand at some writing while job
hunting. So I told him just to say he was self-employed, working out of the
home. Technically he was an independent contractor, doing a variety of
occasional jobs. Heh, it worked, but I didn't realize he'd like that label
so well he'd be doing a bit of this and that for years while I worked the
health-insurance providing job! heehee, I've turned the tables on him now!

but I'm digressing even more.................

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Nann
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Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare

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Squirrely - 01 Mar 2006 20:58 GMT

Rosie,

My thoughts actually. I feel like you do on this one.
How are you doing?

How is Paul, do you have an update on him?

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Hugs, prayers, good thoughts,
Warm fuzzies, TLC, and Love
Squirrely Jo

> Dunno if it's ever been used as a category b4, but I'm using the word
> PEEVE as a category title. :-) Not quite a Pet PEEVE, but it's got me
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> Ticked Off Gimp Hugs from Rosie

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