Re: Give the kid a chance...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/2/02 11:35:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Elfsnot20@... writes:

> Ya'll are too uptight Why do ya'll get so touchy when someone posts on

> here wanting information about dwarfism for a report? Is it that hard to

> believe that other people are wanting to learn more about our condition? I

> understand that some people ARE imposters and just want information to

> twist around and play with, but you gotta give some people a chance. And

> why did you jump on her when she called it a disease? She obviously IS

> learning about dwarfism if she doesn't know the correct terminology yet

> such as genetic mutation, restricted growth, vertically challenged ,

> condition, problem, etc If I had achondroplasia I'd give her information

> she needed but since I'm not, I'd hope there are some out there who would

> give her a chance...

>

You know, I have to go along with this. Guys- this is a KID you are talking

to. I teach high and middle school. If I came back at my students with anger

for mistakenly calling my dwarfism a DISEASE, I would not be very popular, ya

know??

There are MANY people out there who don't know ANYTHING about dwarfism.

Example=Once I have told my kids that the term " midget " is offensive and why,

they say, oh, ok...thanks for telling me that, I didn't know. Some people

just don't know. It's up to us to let them know about this. It personally

seems to me that bashing the kid is worse and MORE ignorant than what she was

asking.

My husband, Steve, is short(quite). HE didn't know then (when I met him) what

he knows now. If I had ripped his head off for asking questions that didn't

agree with me...uh, I'm thinking I wouldn't be married right now. That would

be one guy running in the other direction going... " Oh my God...mean

midget!!!! "

Martha Stanley

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with Gret on this. You could turn this scenerio

around and be asking you own self, " How much do 'I' as a little

person know about all the many zillion different types of other

unique disabilities, that are out there in this big wide world? "

Knowledge 'is' power but so is tact.

This student is here to learn and it's our job to teach her or

him..not to jump on them for using a word, that we don't consider

ourselves to be. The same applies with the m-word..midget. We don't

want to end up scaring these people away, now do we?

Ann

>

> Ya'll are too uptight Why do ya'll get so touchy when someone

posts on here wanting information about dwarfism for a report? Is it

that hard to believe that other people are wanting to learn more

about our condition? I understand that some people ARE imposters and

just want information to twist around and play with, but you gotta

give some people a chance. And why did you jump on her when she

called it a disease? She obviously IS learning about dwarfism if she

doesn't know the correct terminology yet such as genetic mutation,

restricted growth, vertically challenged , condition, problem, etc

If I had achondroplasia I'd give her information she needed but since

I'm not, I'd hope there are some out there who would give her a

chance...

> Gretchen

> http://www.geocities.com/elfsnot20

>

>

> " History is the ancient author:experience is the modern

language " - Lord Bolingbroke

> " Explaining is not excusing; understanding is not forgiving " -

Browning

> " The church says that the Earth is flat, but I have seen the shadow

on the moon and I have more faith in the shadow than in the church, "

~Ferdinand Magellan~

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Look, I appologize if I offenede anyone. I have a right to my own opinions

and if you don't like them don't listen or read them let alone respond to

them (Your adding fuel to the fire). And I stick by what I said, If you

don't know what something is don't refere to it as a disease. When people in

the real world think of the word disease, they automatically jump to

conclusions (don't touch me, don't breath on me, don't talk to me) some

people know the difference but alot don't and don't want to know. So when

someone referes to my type of dwarfisim as a disease, I will get upset. I

do not mind answering questions to anyone that has them but I will not

answer questions about a disease.

>From: Gretchen Deitze <Elfsnot20@...>

>dwarfism

>Subject: Give the kid a chance...

>Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 08:33:30 -0800 (PST)

>

>

> Ya'll are too uptight Why do ya'll get so touchy when someone posts on

>here wanting information about dwarfism for a report? Is it that hard to

>believe that other people are wanting to learn more about our condition? I

>understand that some people ARE imposters and just want information to

>twist around and play with, but you gotta give some people a chance. And

>why did you jump on her when she called it a disease? She obviously IS

>learning about dwarfism if she doesn't know the correct terminology yet

>such as genetic mutation, restricted growth, vertically challenged ,

>condition, problem, etc If I had achondroplasia I'd give her information

>she needed but since I'm not, I'd hope there are some out there who would

>give her a chance...

>Gretchen

>http://www.geocities.com/elfsnot20

>

>

> " History is the ancient author:experience is the modern language " - Lord

>Bolingbroke

> " Explaining is not excusing; understanding is not forgiving " -

> Browning

> " The church says that the Earth is flat, but I have seen the shadow on the

>moon and I have more faith in the shadow than in the church, " ~Ferdinand

>Magellan~

>

>

>---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Well how do you expect a person who is uneducated about dwarfism or any

condition to KNOW that it isn't a disease or what the proper terminology is to

call it?? What do you call Alzheimer's or Lou Gerrick's = a disease, yet you

can't catch them by touching someone. It's genetic/biological, just like

DWARFISM soooo....technically, since those are considered diseases, isn't

dwarfism? To ME it is understandable for someone who isn't familiar with our

condition to mistakingly refer to it by the wrong label...it's no need to get

bent out of shape about.

Gretchen

Gunn <lp_palooza@...> wrote: Look, I appologize if I offenede

anyone. I have a right to my own opinions

and if you don't like them don't listen or read them let alone respond to

them (Your adding fuel to the fire). And I stick by what I said, If you

don't know what something is don't refere to it as a disease. When people in

the real world think of the word disease, they automatically jump to

conclusions (don't touch me, don't breath on me, don't talk to me) some

people know the difference but alot don't and don't want to know. So when

someone referes to my type of dwarfisim as a disease, I will get upset. I

do not mind answering questions to anyone that has them but I will not

answer questions about a disease.

>From: Gretchen Deitze

>dwarfism

>Subject: Give the kid a chance...

>Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 08:33:30 -0800 (PST)

>

>

> Ya'll are too uptight Why do ya'll get so touchy when someone posts on

>here wanting information about dwarfism for a report? Is it that hard to

>believe that other people are wanting to learn more about our condition? I

>understand that some people ARE imposters and just want information to

>twist around and play with, but you gotta give some people a chance. And

>why did you jump on her when she called it a disease? She obviously IS

>learning about dwarfism if she doesn't know the correct terminology yet

>such as genetic mutation, restricted growth, vertically challenged ,

>condition, problem, etc If I had achondroplasia I'd give her information

>she needed but since I'm not, I'd hope there are some out there who would

>give her a chance...

>Gretchen

>http://www.geocities.com/elfsnot20

>

>

> " History is the ancient author:experience is the modern language " - Lord

>Bolingbroke

> " Explaining is not excusing; understanding is not forgiving " -

> Browning

> " The church says that the Earth is flat, but I have seen the shadow on the

>moon and I have more faith in the shadow than in the church, " ~Ferdinand

>Magellan~

>

>

>---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

,

I really don't have a strong opinion about this issue except to say that

judging from the way the request for information and help was written

the author is most likely a child in elementary or junior high school

who didn't know any better. While the reaction to the letter was a

little over the top I'm sure it will sort itself out.

If it's genetic why in the world would you call it a disease? I have a

mild form of diabetes and they call it a disease. I can't give it to

anyone, it's a pain in the butt 'cause I love sugar and my body can't

deal with it but I don't see how you could call it a disease. I tell my

body to " get over it " but do you think it will listen? No! Oh, well.

It’s just the way it is and I’m certainly not offended by a word.

I’ve got to say you made my day with your very humorous comment,

“I have a right to my own opinions and if you don't like them don't

listen or read them let alone respond to them”

You’re too much, , really. I’ve got to say you had me rolling with

that one. We all have a right to our opinions, there is never any doubt

about that, but the rest of your comment had me rolling. Thanks for the

laugh, it’s been a long day and I needed one.

Marty

[Guest guest]

Sometimes I think we sometimes get a bit touchy and over sensitive.

I know when I referred to myself " as a dwarf " instead of a person

with " dwarfism " I have caught a bit of feedback too. I think people

(in general) think of medical conditions as a " disease " . There are

so many ways to look at this. I personally think Gretchen is right

on with this one. I'm not sure what the medical community now refers

to about this, but I know in the past it was referred, at least to

me, as a disease. Does it bother me? Not really. It doesn't

diminish my " person " , it is just a word that some describe what I

have. I know it may not be PC with some and it could downright

offend someone. But, I look at those who have conditions such as

Gretchen listed and I don't discount them in anyway, so I sure as

heck don't discount myself!

I looked it up Disease: (noun) Sick state of the body..I have to

tell you mine is pretty sick these days! LOL

also: affliction, ailment, contagion, disorder, illness, infection,

infirmity, malady, sickness, syndrome

If ones esteem is so caught up in the word " disease " than I would

look inward and see what about the word really is so offensive.

Just a VERY humble opinion.

Ginny

At 12:55 PM -0800 1/2/02, Gretchen Deitze wrote:

> Well how do you expect a person who is uneducated about dwarfism or

>any condition to KNOW that it isn't a disease or what the proper

>terminology is to call it?? What do you call Alzheimer's or Lou

>Gerrick's = a disease, yet you can't catch them by touching someone.

>It's genetic/biological, just like DWARFISM soooo....technically,

>since those are considered diseases, isn't dwarfism? To ME it is

>understandable for someone who isn't familiar with our condition to

>mistakingly refer to it by the wrong label...it's no need to get

>bent out of shape about.

>Gretchen

> Gunn <lp_palooza@...> wrote: Look, I appologize if I

>offenede anyone. I have a right to my own opinions

>and if you don't like them don't listen or read them let alone respond to

>them (Your adding fuel to the fire). And I stick by what I said, If you

>don't know what something is don't refere to it as a disease. When people in

>the real world think of the word disease, they automatically jump to

>conclusions (don't touch me, don't breath on me, don't talk to me) some

>people know the difference but alot don't and don't want to know. So when

>someone referes to my type of dwarfisim as a disease, I will get upset. I

>do not mind answering questions to anyone that has them but I will not

>answer questions about a disease.

>

>

>

>

> >From: Gretchen Deitze

> >dwarfism

> >Subject: Give the kid a chance...

> >Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 08:33:30 -0800 (PST)

> >

> >

> > Ya'll are too uptight Why do ya'll get so touchy when someone posts on

> >here wanting information about dwarfism for a report? Is it that hard to

> >believe that other people are wanting to learn more about our condition? I

> >understand that some people ARE imposters and just want information to

> >twist around and play with, but you gotta give some people a chance. And

> >why did you jump on her when she called it a disease? She obviously IS

> >learning about dwarfism if she doesn't know the correct terminology yet

> >such as genetic mutation, restricted growth, vertically challenged ,

> >condition, problem, etc If I had achondroplasia I'd give her information

> >she needed but since I'm not, I'd hope there are some out there who would

> >give her a chance...

> >Gretchen

> >http://www.geocities.com/elfsnot20

> >

> >

> > " History is the ancient author:experience is the modern language " - Lord

> >Bolingbroke

> > " Explaining is not excusing; understanding is not forgiving " -

> > Browning

> > " The church says that the Earth is flat, but I have seen the shadow on the

> >moon and I have more faith in the shadow than in the church, " ~Ferdinand

> >Magellan~

> >

> >

> >---------------------------------

> >

[Guest guest]

>

> Well how do you expect a person who is uneducated about dwarfism

> or any condition to KNOW that it isn't a disease or what the

> proper terminology is to call it??

Um... type the word dwarfism in on Google.Com. Get 11000 plus hits.

Read a few. Realize none of them refer to dwarfism as a disease. Do

some research. Compose some questions. Come here and ask if anyone

would like to answer some questions concerning their particular

situation and its cause. At least give some evidence that some

ground work has been done before approaching primary sources. Pretty

basic paper composition procedure.

Just my two...

Maurice

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/2/2002 10:47:19 PM Central Standard Time,

mrsmith_1956@... writes:

> At least give some evidence that some

> ground work has been done before approaching primary sources. Pretty

> basic paper composition procedure.

>

Yes, if you're a college student who has taken English 101. I imagine that

the kid probably did do a search, saw a chat list, and thought, " wow, how

easy. " Or, perhaps the assignment included gathering primary source data; I

don't know. We don't know.

What we do know is that someone came here looking for information to better

understand dwarfism; for the misuse of ONE word, she was treated abominally

by some. As Miss Manners would say, " Yes, your guest was unintentionally

rude. But yours was deliberate and therefore, the worse offense. "

luthien