Are we infirm?

[hellMS]

What are we?

Infirm

Differently able

??? please discuss

[Inactive_User]

I am “Tilly Bob”. There are many things that make me me. One of those things is my disability but it is only a PART of me. I HAVE a disability but I am not a disabilty. (That was always my take on the “I have MS, MS doesn’t have me” saying which some people interpret differently and sometimes dislike.)

[skippysprite]

I try to be enabled…but sometimes it’s society that makes me disabled. I do try really hard to be positive and think of the things I can do, and not what I can’t do, but sometimes that is hard.

Theres a lot more to me than ms, I try not to let it define me.

Pam x

[Mogace]

I tend to agree Pam,

As hobbies go, MS is not on my list of favourites…

Mick

[hellMS]

I personally think we are just the coolist group ever, take care be safe see below to explain the what triggered the qestion M

It was on Qi Sandi Toksvig was talking about door handles or knobs. She said for the ‘elderly or infirm’ I didn’t like the phrase hence my what are we? Hey we are all different and damned brilliant for dealing with MS. Be safe take care and thanks M x

[nindancer]

You are so right, I’m not elderly or infirm, tho some people may disagree

Sonia x

[Steve_Snore]

We are brave. We know how to fight. We hurt because we are human. Every human has needs.

Best wishes, Steve

[hoppity]

Well having googled the definition I think I am but and there is always a but… **I AIN’T INFIRM **You can describe me as a physical wreck and I am in complete agreement but I AIN’T INFIRM

Don

[shellyonthebeach]

I had this discussion with Lee today and he said that if any of our friends were suddenly in a power wheelchair i’d be the best, at driving and getting through narrow gaps getting on buses, shops , going on adventures…I Immediately felt great!

Infirm…definitely not

Michelle x

[Slug]

Not infirm I think. Yes disabled but why? Infirm suggests you’re not in control of your faculties to me. Well my body is pretty shite but nowt wrong with my brain, although I’m sure there are some who would disagree.

i must admit I’m not really bothered what others see me as, each and every one of them is defining me according to their life and experiences, which may be wide or narrow, and so I don’t get upset by it. Those that mean offence are too narrow minded to concern myself with, and those that just use wrong words are reacting to ignorance, political correctness or maybe their own upbringing are just who they are but I don’t need to be offended, and actually most people I’ve met are kind and helpful. Sorry for waffling on …

[kevadams]

Totally agree with all of that, well said!

Not infirm, but certainly disabled. I am no longer able to do many things I used to, including the things I did for a living- playing music and repairing violins. I can’t walk, I can’t dress, wash or toilet myself.

The line I prefer to take is to re-label everyone else as ‘not disabled- as yet’. Like I was as a healthy, active 55 year old, before things turned sour. I had no idea what it would be like to be disabled, and so I don’t expect any other able-bodied person to do so either.

Kev

[Amazon_lady]

I would say I’m in a category of my own yet to be named, I know I would no longer pass an MOT, even though I do get a regular service by my MS term. Keep smiling Deborah

[hellMS]

Again guys how are we, take care be safe. M x

[Snow_Leopard]

Hi M,

Infirm… I assume it means In Firm… meaning Not Firm… lol… (nothing FIRM about me any more!).

Or Invalid… In Valid… what we’re not Valid?

Luckily these terms seem to be old fashioned now. Surprised Sandy T would use ‘infirm’!

Disabled seems ok to me. ‘Differently Abled’ which I think is used more in the US seems a bit OTT.

Me thinks both Sandy T and BBC need to rethink their language.

Hope you’re doing well M?

Love Pat xx

[hellMS]

Cheers Pat, good to hear from you. That’s why I started this message, I was actually shocked by Qi and my hero Sandi Personally I don’t give a damn we are the cool gang and that’s what is important. Be safe, take care M x

[Inactive_User]

I was also thinking of the word invalid too, Pam.

Invalid = something that is null and void

Invalid = someone who isn’t well

Like when they had invalid cars.

I was twice referred to as a cripple! That stung! Neither time was it meant as an insult…just made by people who didn’t have a wider vocabulary!

So what am I? I’m not 100% fit. I’m not able to do things I used to. As a full-time wheelchair user, people see it before me and

yeh, I’m disabled!

Pollx

[albrecht_durer]

I’ve said it before, but here it is again:

I am defined by my abilities, not my disability.