I think I need to clarify why I have been blogging about my health problems on this site. I don't expect for whomever awards this scholarship to be like, "Awwww, let's give it to the GIMP!" Maybe I should use the term, Person With A Pronounced Awkward Gait. But I will use Gimp because I am too blunt to be politically correct. Noooo, I am not trying to gain sympathy points here. I am just being honest. Also, I think most people have no clue about how to treat a person with a disability. Even my friends and loved ones feel awkward around me.
Yesterday, I was discussing the option of getting a part-time Home Health Aid with my partner (I don't think this is an appropriate place to discuss the Lesbian issue. But I don't know what else to call Pat.) She was afraid that having someone else help me cook my meals, do my laundry, and drive me to college so I don't have to walk a mile each way to the bus stop would make me unable to do those things anymore. I said, "I really wouldn't mind not being able to do laundry,cooking, vacuuming, and mundane stuff like that. I would have more time for my studies, my music, my PT exercises..and SLEEP!"
I am cutting classes today. It is snowing profusely. Like I said, I walk an awful lot because I can't drive. The last time I tried to walk around in weather like this, I slipped on the sidewalk and fell. It was really hard to get up. In a way, it was good that nobody was around to hear the steam of filth that came out of my mouth. Fortunately, I didn't break anything...that time.
I have used arm crutches in PT, and they really keep me stable. But I need a script in order for my insurance to pay for them. I was on the phone with the medical secretary this morning. The doc thinks I need to walk more (I laughed at that one) and that the crutches would make my legs weaker. I said, "I haven't been walking lately because I am afraid of falling. I would walk more with the braces." She talked to the doc and called back. He wants to talk to the PT. The problem is, I get a different PT every time. I don't know if his taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to them would help change his mind. Actually, I don't think he should have to change his mind. I will call a different doctor about the script.
That doctor and everyone I know have never had to walk with my legs. Wouldn't it make more sense for people to listen to me about my needs? I know what will help me better than anyone else. Think about that the next time you meet a person with a disability.
How to treat a Gimp
By jamonstringz - Posted on February 26th, 2008
If you have come to the point where you feel you need outside help you should try to get it unless your partner wants to help you more. Good luck with getting a helper.
MommaTrish - mom of 2 boys and a bump
a bump? How old are your boys (cute pic)? I have a 13 year old daughter.
I don't want my partner to help me more. She works full time and has an anxiety disorder. I am glad you understand what it is like to need extra help. It seems the people who understand my situation the most are the ones who have been though a similar situation.
I would never call anyone a gimp. I'd be afraid to hurt their feelings. However I admire your bluntness. Who needs politically correct terms anyhow? Some are reasonable, others are just ridiculous. "Person with a Pronounce or Awkward Gait"? Who came up with this one, I wonder. Why can't it be shortened to "walking disability"?
And for that matter (I know I'm incredibly off topic here, sorry) Who came up with the term "Lisp"?
Lisp (lisp) v. (Olde English) To speak imperfectly. Do dat meant dat if I be talkin like dis I got meself a lisp???
Gimpy (can't type out the pronunciation) adj. (Norwegian dialect gimpa, to rock) Lame; limping. Hey, if the word gimp comes from the Norwegian word meaning to rock, does that mean I ROCK?? Ya better believe it!
I appreciate your polite and caring attitude. I think it should be up to the person what they are called.
We had a motivational speaker at our school just a couple weeks ago that was born without full arms or legs. I was one of the students helping set up for his performance, and I couldn't believe how incredibly rude he came off. I am not implying that you are anything like this guy whatsoever, please don't get me wrong.
I just wanted to tell this guy to be considerate! We were helping him out. No he just kept barking out orders. I didn't say anything, because I was afraid the people around me would be pissed if I talked to up to him.
So his performance started and he showed us all the things he could do, like throw a football, wrestle, open a soda with his mouth. He told us he WAS NOT disabled. My peers and class mates clapped and cheered, while I sat there thinking. Is he not disabled? I suppose in a sense he's not. Is he saying people like him need no help? I couldn't grasp the concept and hold onto it.
I felt horrible for not finding it amazing that this guy could throw a football a couple yards with just a stubby arm. I couldn't feel sympathy for the guy, because he didn't need it or want it. He was perfectly capable of doing anything he wanted.
I guess all i'm trying to get at is, gimps know they're gimps. Why feel awkward around them, or treat them differently? It's the same thing as being predijudice of someone for being female or black. Now i'm being blunt and I'm sorry if I came off offensive, but personal experience has brought me here.
No I don't think you're being offensive at all. I have a theory about that rude disabled guy. He comes off that way because inside he is scared and hurting. That behavior is probably the only way he gets what he wants. Case in point: I wrote some thoughtful, serious blogs on this site. I got one or 2 comments. So I got all sarcastic and posted a blog with the word GIMP in the title. I just posted it 2 hours ago, and already I have gotten more responses than those other posts put together. Sometimes you just have to be blunt to get people's attention. I don't really want the attention for myself, but rather to bring light to issues surrounding disabled people.
I know a pretty cool gimp. He's shorter than me if he stands which is really cool. But usually he's in an awesome wheelchair that is REALLY fast. He zooms around like a maniac and can do neat things with it (like go on two weels or spin around really fast). I would hesitate to call him "disabled", he's pretty kickass in that chair.
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Please see my recent blog post, "Genocide and Student Activism": http://www.progressiveu.org/041447-genocide-and-student-activism
Sounds like he gets around better than I do. Maybe I need a chair like that!
If you can walk to any extent I'd recommend doing your best to walk (with crutches, a walker, a cane, whatever). It will strengthen your legs and increase your chances of being able to walk, run, etc properly in the future. Also, being in a wheelchair decreases your life expectancy simply because you don't get your legs excercised (even if you try at first... it's just easier being in a chair than bothering to walk, hence the problem of having a wheelchair just in case you get tired).
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Please see my recent blog post, "Genocide and Student Activism": http://www.progressiveu.org/041447-genocide-and-student-activism
Great post, here. I like it a lot. Ever been to www.disabilityisnatural.com? If you haven't, check it out. I love it there. That said, I feel I should say something about the post above. I think that all people with disabilities (me being one one of them) do the absolute best they can physically, and often more than they should, because of the idea that we don't do enough and use wheelchairs just because it's "easier." Well, it's easy for someone without a disability to say that, but a long time of hearing comments like these, combined with general societal attitudes and poor body image, can lead gimps, people with disabilities, whatever we choose to be called, to have anorexia, bulimia and compulsive exercise disorders. I have heard many stories of this. Far too many people give us unsolicited advice about our physical abilities and difficulties, and so, when you hear or want to say things like this, please be aware it is not the first time we've heard this and think of the quiet, deep impact you may be having, because it could be great. Thank you, everyone.