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From: Nyla Funderburk
Date: 20 Oct 2010
Time: 14:53:03 -0500
Remote Name: 128.230.35.178
I was very intrigued when I read the title of your paper about what exactly this debilitating 'D' word could be. Before I opened the file, I attempted to guess some of the possibilities that the 'D' could stand for. The first word out of my mouth was difficulty and the second... disability. Go figure. I understand how someone could feel as though stuttering hinders their abilities and I can also understand how the negative feelings associated with the word disability would stop someone from wanting to be associated, as well. However, my question is:Do you suppose that by taking ownership of the word ‘disability’, you're allowing the term and the ideas associated with it to define you? Personally, I find that the word disability is normally a term that once you’ve received it; it’s hard to turn away from. Perhaps the people you surveyed didn’t think stuttering was a disability because their stuttering (for some people) already defines them and by labeling it as a disability, this too would play a major part in defining who they are. In my own personal opinion, when you take ownership of the word, you’re also taking ownership with the thought and ideas associated with it. I’d love to hear your views on that issue.