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Education time! This isn't directed to anyone at all, It's just I (+ @/lopezbians and @/mchalesagron) saw that there are many people uneducated on this matter!! Warning for ableist language!
Why using the term 'wheelchair bound' is offensive + ableist and should stop being used!
Why using the term 'wheelchair bound' is offensive + ableist and should stop being used!
First of, although I can not relate to being in a wheelchair because I never needed one, I'm still disabled from the waist down which limits my day to day life and I have done proper research to be allowed to say this.
Second of all, this is no place in ableism. I don't care if you think this is overdramtic, it's extremely ableist as is if you think that as an able body person so don't say anything if it isn't nice.
Third of all, quick note to any wheelchair users or anyone disabled in general, you're all so strong and amazing.
Now, to actually get into this.
Now, to actually get into this.
'Wheelchair-bound' is pretty self explanatory, being bound (tied, chained, ect.) down to your wheelchair. It's as if you're never going to get out of it. This is offense to both those who will have to use their wheelchair for the rest of their life (+)
(+) and those who are ambulatory wheelchair users (someone who is capable of walking but sometimes needs to rely on a wheelchair.)
'Wheelchair bound' is offensive in many ways. It's as if you're bound to this depressing trap, left to live a sad tragedy you can't escape when you wheelchair shouldn't be seen as something bad or something you can't get away from.
Quote, "[...] each time I am told I am wheelchair bound, the implied message I get is "you're in a wheelchair, you're limited." Yeah, I'm in a wheelchair, it give me wings!"* End quote.
Being in a wheelchair is something you shouldn't be ashamed of, it's something apart of you- wheather you were born into having to use one or something happened that caused you to have to use one. Either way, it's something you should be proud about (+)
(+) and you should be proud on how far you have come.
'Wheelchair bound' is also offensive to ambulatory wheelchair users because again, it's as if it's something so tragic and even if they're lucky enough to walk again, calling them bound just erases the hard working progress they've managed so far.
A great alternative is wheelchair user! For a more broad term you can simply used disabled, which isn't at all a bad word to say so stop acting like it is!
* http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/18/abliest-word-profile-wheelchair-bound/ link to the quote I used above! I really recommened reading this short article talking more into wheelchair bound and putting together words even better than I could ever.
I think this is the end of this thread for now, if anything else comes up I'll make sure to add it in!
