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From: Alinga Fisher (Graduate Student, Southern University, Baton Rouge)
Date: 21 Oct 2010
Time: 19:23:30 -0500
Remote Name: 72.207.220.98
What an eye-opening and interesting take on the word disability. Oh society, how we do love our labels. We love to issue them, and of course want only to do with those labels that are considered "normal". Thank you Mr. Meredith for having me do a bit of self-evaluating on how I define the term "disability". When this word is said, I do think of persons with a non-functioning limb or organ; a mental disability; or a those who need assistance in some capacity. WHO's definition of this word made it so much broader. I agree with you when you make the point that at some point in our lives, we are all disabled. I can think of one of my disabilities already. It may be easy for some to own the label of disabled, but it is not easy for everyone to do. Maybe if Julia Roberts or a respected public figure were to come out, and say as PWS they are disabled, the negative stigma would start to fade. Until then, we all choose what we want to be defined or labeled as within ourselves. Thank You for the wonderful article.