Terms used by the media, that I don't find accurate!
Media like to use the terms wheelchair bound and disabled person, which are understandable by everyone. As a wheelchair user I find these terms very uncomfortable, and here’s why:
Wheelchair bound implies that you are, literally, bound to your wheelchair. Okay I can’t walk and need my wheelchair to get around: but I can transfer to a more comfortable chair, stand in an Oswestry frame for an hour a day and transfer to a bed to sleep. I much prefer wheelchair user.
Disabled person is actually very descriptive (I am disabled and I am a person), but I prefer to put the person before the disability, the person is more important than the disability. So to me person with a disability is much kinder.
These are only my opinions and do not appear in any style guide, but if these terms were to appear in any text I would always raise a query.
Anya Charnaud - ANC Therapy
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