Many,many years back, I was doing some work for my local epilepsy foundation and used the term 'epileptic' with the editor. He very firmly told me that we are not 'epileptic,' we 'have epilepsy,' because epilepsy was not the sum total of who we are. At the time, I thought he was being pretty silly and that we use language that's easiest to say. We needn't be so sensitive.
These days, though, when someone without epilepsy calls us 'epileptics' I do find myself feeling put out. I'm not only an 'epileptic' but a daughter, a writer, a friend, a reader, a fan of good art...
And when someone has flu, we don't call them a 'fluetic.' When they have cancer, we don't call them a 'cancerian.' We say that person has flu or that person has cancer. So why should we be any different? Thinking back, I guess I should have made this a poll question. Anyway, there it is--how do you feel about being called 'an epileptic?'
These days, though, when someone without epilepsy calls us 'epileptics' I do find myself feeling put out. I'm not only an 'epileptic' but a daughter, a writer, a friend, a reader, a fan of good art...
And when someone has flu, we don't call them a 'fluetic.' When they have cancer, we don't call them a 'cancerian.' We say that person has flu or that person has cancer. So why should we be any different? Thinking back, I guess I should have made this a poll question. Anyway, there it is--how do you feel about being called 'an epileptic?'