What is people first language you might ask? It's putting the person
first and their disability second. Showing the person as an individual
first and foremost and not defining them by their condition.
My daughter is not a Downs child. She is not a Down syndrome kid nor a
Downs baby. She is a baby that happens to have a medical condition
called Down syndrome. She has Down syndrome...Down syndrome does NOT have her.
You would not refer to a child with leukemia as a leukemia kid or a
cancer kid...then why do it with Down syndrome? There are so many things
that show who my child really is....she is funny, loving, mischievous,
precocious, energetic, goofy, tough, a fighter, inspiring. All of which
have nothing to do with her disability but simply who she is as a
person. She is a child. She is my child. She has a third copy of her
21st chromosome but that does not define her as a human.
By calling a child by their condition first, you devalue them. You
separate them from their peers. You shove them aside as "different" and
it leaves the person to feel "less than".
So please, when referring to an individual with any disability, refer to them as a person before you characterize them as just a disability.
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Well said!
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I have heard most moms with children with downs call them "downs baby" just as a way to connect with other moms. It's just a way to communicate. Just like I am a heart patient. Hum. Don't know if I am getting your point on this one.
ReplyDeleteTo the above, "Anonymous", I don't understand why people feel comfortable expressing their opinions where opinions are welcome, but do so under a veil. A blog is about one's opinion.. & that is what Amber is sharing. It is about how it makes HER feel. I understand it. I mean... I am a white female... Do I want to be referred to as "That white girl, Erica"? No. I want to be recognized for ME or for my accomplishments.. Not by a trait bestowed to me by the powers that be. If you are labeling me by an accomplishment or deed, different story... That is a quality I have chosen or achieved for myself. I think the same can be said with people with disabilities. Recognize them for who they are, not what they have.
ReplyDeleteI digress... Amber, well written once again.. & touching as usual. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteErica, from now on I need to just let you write my blogs LMAO
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteTo erica lee- it is a blog. And a comment section. I said nothing rude. I was simply saying my opinion. Not everything is meant to be an Internet fight.
ReplyDeleteThe point of my post is exactly as it is stated. We prefer people first language and so does almost every parent of a child with a disability that I know. The ones that don't use people first language probably haven't stopped to think about it. I think you would be annoyed after a while too if everyone called you "that heart guy/girl". YOU have a name. YOU are a person. You are not defined by your heart condition. If you choose to be then so be it. But we do not choose for our children to be defined and labeled by a condition.
ReplyDeleteI just meant when you are networking with other moms and stuff. No disrespect to your precious lil girl.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said!
ReplyDeleteMy beautiful Princess V won't let you see her as anything else but a person first. And an incredible person she is!
ReplyDelete