Political Correctness or Simple Truth

In our special education classes, we talk about handicapism and person-first language. Don't say learning disabled student; say student with a learning disability. Don't say retarded kid; say kid with an intellectual impairment. There are those who say this is just being politically correct, but those of us who work with children with disabilities and their families know how real this difference is.

This was brought home today when I read a post on Facebook from my friend Lane. She was so excited that her wheelchair was delivered.  Now she would be free to do things she wanted to do with much less assistance. Before, she was trapped in a body that wasn't working for her.  Now she is liberated.  Think of that when you hear someone say that a person is confined to a wheelchair.  Far from confined,  they are given wings.

Another View

So, in my last post I began to make my point about the importance of having a record of our days, of being present and accounted for. It was maybe a bit maudlin. So another view of why you should just grin and bear it when the camera comes out.

Can you guess what is so funny? What could make all these people laugh?

I will give you a hint. They are looking at pictures from the holidays, being displayed on the TV screen. Apparently, what they are seeing is sidesplittingly funny.

Are you ready for the reveal?

THAT is NOT a becoming picture. I look fat and old, and my poor brother, well, it probably is best to leave it unsaid. But look at the delight we brought our family. I love this horrible, silly picture, because I watched my family's delight.

Present and Accounted For

Much of my life I have been absent. Or at least tardy. Never quite in the middle of things, yet making myself noticed. This new digital age can be a bit unnerving. Used to be you had family pictures but they weren't particularly good quality. If you squinted just right you could see yourself the way you chose to remember. But with the advent of digital imaging there is a record of all your days in crisp detail. It isn't always flattering.

I never thought of myself as someone who was particularly photogenic. I had assigned myself decades of being fat and unhappy. Years when I was depressed and depressing. But as I have sorted my pictures for 'Throwback Thursdays' on Facebook, I found a strange thing. Yes, there are years of fat pics. But guess what, most of the time I am smiling. And not game face smiles, but genuine big grins.

Last week a friend asked me to take down a picture I had posted of her on Facebook, She said it was not flattering. Of course I did so. Immediately. But it made me sad. Because we need a record of our days. There are pictures we thought nothing of at the time that trigger a whole sequence of memories. We don't know the importance at the time. But years later, we are so glad that picture is there. I will start with one from a very long time ago.

It is not a particularly flattering picture of Nana. She is in a gown with a wad of Kleenex in her hand. You can only see her profile, not her eyes. But you can see how she looked at her dear son, and how much he delighted in her. It was taken on the last visit I had with her. It was some time in the early 80s shortly before she died. We lost Dad 3 years ago. I don't have many pictures of Nana, even fewer with her and Dad. I treasure those pics.

So take my picture, and I will take yours. You have my permission to post any pic of me anywhere. I will promise to only post pics of you I think are flattering. If you ask me to take them down, I will do so. But the computer never forgets!!