Elaine H
New
- Messages
- 498
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
I have got to tell all you lovely people in CWE about what I saw yesterday in a national newspaper, here in the U.K!
The Sun newspaper featured an article yesterday, it was about Tonbridge Wells County Council, they had decided to strictly ban the use of the phrase "Brainstorm" and replace it with "Thoughtshowers" as they were worried that it would be offensive to "epileptics"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was totally incensed when I read it, and I got straight on line, and e.mailed the lady that wrote the article. I then got a BBC radio phone in to discuss it. I simply said, that as a member of Epilepsy Action, and The National Society For Epilepsy, and someone who had had epilepsy for 22 years, there is no way on this planet that I could take offence at the term "brain storm" and I took more offence at being referred to as an "Epileptic" a term I find extremely derogatory and degrading, aswell as archaic and ancient! I said that I was sure that I spoke on behalf of my fellow members of these organisations, and surely the world over people with epilepsy could not possibly be offended by a phrase that has been around for many many years!! I also pointed out, that it was articles and instances like this, that ostracize people with epilepsy, and get the public thinking that we want special treatment, or that we think we are special or whatever.
I would be interested to hear back from you guys, I really cannot believe that anyone could be offended, but let me know eh? I think it is political correctness gone mad!!
Many Thanks
Elaine H xx
The Sun newspaper featured an article yesterday, it was about Tonbridge Wells County Council, they had decided to strictly ban the use of the phrase "Brainstorm" and replace it with "Thoughtshowers" as they were worried that it would be offensive to "epileptics"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was totally incensed when I read it, and I got straight on line, and e.mailed the lady that wrote the article. I then got a BBC radio phone in to discuss it. I simply said, that as a member of Epilepsy Action, and The National Society For Epilepsy, and someone who had had epilepsy for 22 years, there is no way on this planet that I could take offence at the term "brain storm" and I took more offence at being referred to as an "Epileptic" a term I find extremely derogatory and degrading, aswell as archaic and ancient! I said that I was sure that I spoke on behalf of my fellow members of these organisations, and surely the world over people with epilepsy could not possibly be offended by a phrase that has been around for many many years!! I also pointed out, that it was articles and instances like this, that ostracize people with epilepsy, and get the public thinking that we want special treatment, or that we think we are special or whatever.
I would be interested to hear back from you guys, I really cannot believe that anyone could be offended, but let me know eh? I think it is political correctness gone mad!!
Many Thanks
Elaine H xx