Comments on: Question For The Loyal TC.com Readers

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:14:11 +0000

I like that Andy. Somehow, I knew such a simple question would bring forth literary talent. Your last sentence is the “raison de etre,” of this blog.

By: Bill Hilser

Bill Hilser — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:47:17 +0000

Well, Andy . . . you may be right, being one of those ‘journalist’ types, and all.
We ‘back-shop’ types are a little more pragmatic in our interpretation of the mother tongue, as you can see.
To me, being a ‘disabled vet’ means that you were injured and disabled while in the service of your country, while a ‘handicapped vet’ was out of uniform and a civilian when the misfortune befell you.
But ya know, Andy, all kidding aside, I like your answer. The way that you strung the words totether to make the sentences was the work of a true wordsmith.
It makes me think sometimes that just maybe I made a unwise decision that cold, foggy day at J-School in San Jose, when I succumbed to the bright lights of Honolulu to toil all night at the Star-Bulletin, play beach volleyball all day, and dream about sailing the South Seas.
So many mid-West school teachers and secretaries on holiday, so little time. Ach, the memories.
Yer pal, and aloha, Haole Boy Bubba

By: andy morales

andy morales — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:12:34 +0000

Well, a “handicap” is something someone else puts on you.

A disability is as aspect of one’s character or being.

For instance, if a city has no curb cuts on their sidewalks then they have handicapped someone.

If you cannot see then you are disabled. But, if you cannot see but your insurance won’t provide mobility training then you are handicapped. If you cannot see but you can function just the same then you are differently-abled.

If a person or agency can see you for who you are rather than if you have blonde hair, are tall or have only one leg then they have accepted you.
If a person or agency can see you as a person with blonde hair, tall or with one leg and they judge you on that then they either have tolerance or no tolerance for who you are but they don’t accept you.

If a person or agency makes no effort and thinks people should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps then they are bigoted to serve people who look like them, act like them and think like them.

So, to sum up, if a disabled vet who lost an arm in combat gets little to no services then they are handicapped.