I had another think. I've never liked disabilty or disabled but I do have to accept that the government labels me thus Rebecca too but I think you should consider whether we think we are disabled before using the word.

It has so many meanings that to me it is worthless, it does not convey anything about a persons problems and may lead people to mistakenly think of physical mobility problems and consider dyslexia, Aspergers, autism or any of the other mental health problems.

A little aside I know but I wonder if you can understand how infuriating it can be to be considered disabled. I have a good education, including two degrees (Bsc, Msc) and have held down a job working for the government in scietific research for many years. I have health problems for sure, but disabled...

To me, I am not disabled...I can do whatever I choose. I don't know Rebecca's history, but it could be very similar to mine and I doubt she would be too happy to be considered disabled either, though I do not know.

Like I said I think everybody cares about understanding each other and if Aspergers or Autism are problems then I think they are important to everyone.

I do have a biased opinion being disabled myself, though I have avoided using that term about myself so far. I am therefore rather more touchy on the subject. Getting off my soap box now and the sooner you all forget the bi-polar thing the better as far as I'm concerned.

yours

Meredith