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[Insanity_rules]

OK guys before this starts I want to point out that our disabled athletes are genuine you beaut heros!

Mrs Insanity rules and I were watching the commonwealth games last night and I was marvelling at the disabled swimmers and how they competed. Of special interest was how the completely blind swimmer knew where the end of the lane was and Mrs Insanity rules pointed out that he had a person holding a stick out that touched his head before he got to the end.

So then that little thing jumped on my head that said this is inapropriate but I have to say it or I'll burst. I said yeah cause it'd be a bastard if your guide dog couldnt keep up eh? And she reacted as if I'd said Adolf Hitler was my hero (he's not by the way)!

I at least thought it was a bit funny, what do you think? Are we that PC that we can joke anymore? I'm the first to take the piss outa myself so I think that at least gives me some licence right?

If I go completely blind I'd have to get a greyhound as a guidedog to keep up with the bike LOL

[GR81]

i thought some of those EAD people did really well.
i was telling a mate about the ozzie guy that came first (the one with one arm). mate wanted to know if he was swimming in circles lol

but well done to them... i hear one of the EAD girls made the 800m able body finals, pretty well done! :)

[Grahameeboy]

No in my experience we should not be too PC with disability because if we do then this just diminishes disablity because then we are treating disability as different when, as in this case, the disabled person is doing something which abled bodies people do and on a level playing field.
My Daughter is disabled and at 3 has a powered wheelchair. When I take her on the ferry to daycare, she whizzes around and some people say things like "all she needs now is a number and a roll cage" and humurous things like that.
Disabled people are normal and when we get all PC this actually hightens the fact that they are disabled and sets them aside which they would fnd hurtful....when I worked in a gym there was his guy who had MS and used a wheelchair....I often joked about his go faster peel off strips and would sometimes nick his wheelchair and he loved it because he was being treated as 'one of the lads'.
Of course there are limits but barriers are just that and should be broken down when appropriate.

[Grahameeboy]

It is interesting that there have been 41 views but only 2 replies which kinda answers your question Insanity.......why are people so afraid to comment on disability?

[Harry33]

Hell I take the piss out of everything,including myself. My friends often say your going to hell for that one, and sometimes I have to agree but it was damn funny :)

[sAsLEX]

It is interesting that there have been 41 views but only 2 replies which kinda answers your question Insanity.......why are people so afraid to comment on disability?

I think they are afraid of you.........

[onearmedbandit]

I take the piss out of myself more than anyone else (well probably not knowing my friends!), jokes about swimming in circles etc. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? Bring on the jokes.

[Colapop]

... as if I'd said Adolf Hitler was my hero ...
And what was so wrong with Hitler??!!?? Sure, at the end he was a complete nutter but you negate the fact he took his country from the depths of depression and created a strong enough support base to conquer most of Europe.

As far as being PC goes, people are too afraid they'll be misunderstood. There's a difference between doing your washing in the bath because your epileptic brother is cheaper to run than an agitator and laughing at somebody who can't get their wheelchair over the kerb. We got past Gay bashing didn't we? Well ok maybe we didn't but GB doesn't mind!

[Colapop]

I take the piss out of myself more than anyone else (well probably not knowing my friends!), jokes about swimming in circles etc. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? Bring on the jokes.
How do you scratch your right elbow? Do you ride in circles too?

[The Stranger]

It is interesting that there have been 41 views but only 2 replies which kinda answers your question Insanity.......why are people so afraid to comment on disability?

Nah, I have commented on your disabilities.

And commented on other disabilities such as old folk and gays.

[Grahameeboy]

[QUOTE=CaN]Nah, I have commented on your disabilities.

And commented on other disabilities such as old folk and gays.[/QUOTE

I guess because you CaN eh.......that is all your stupid comment really deserves.

[BuFfY]

I think that most of us say our little comments in our heads but are too scared to say them outload in fear of seeming like a cold heartless bastard!

I think it is so fantastic that they are allowing disabled people show off their talents at the Commonwealth Games... a lot of them would do way better than those who are able bodied.

I think we have become PC about this because we don't want to discriminate against people who are different.. which I think is a good thing. On the weekend I had a group of women who are IHC come into work with a caregiver... I didn't even realise they were until she gave me the check... I love it how they are now being given the opportunity to live a normal life.

[Grahameeboy]

I think they are afraid of you.........

Who me......I am harmless...........silly boy go and wash your bike..

[outlawtorn]

Fuck being PC, is the language of cowards, tell it like it is.....

[Ixion]

Maybe they could have guide dolphins?

Seriously, I've worked with/known quite a few people with disabilities of one sort or another.

In the early stages of disability most people (I think - this is totally amateur observation) go through a period where they are struggling to come to terms with the disability. At this stage they can be very sensitive to any comment at all about it, and it is best to say nothing. Obviously, doesn't apply to those born disabled.

Once that stage is worked through, then people are perfectly capable of telling the difference between a good humoured joke and a hurtful jibe.

I think it is demeaning to a disabled person to *not* recognise the disability - it's making the disability something to be ashamed of. One should, I think, accept a disabled person's disability as just part of who they are- like having red hair. Neither purient nosiness about it, nor embarassed "shh don't say anything".

And it is usually the non-disabled onlooker (like Mrs Insanity_Rules) who objects not the disabled person. The objection reflects the objectors "uncomfortableness" about disability.

A cruel jibe is of course another matter. But even intellectually disabled folk can tell the difference.

[Grahameeboy]

I think that most of us say our little comments in our heads but are too scared to say them outload in fear of seeming like a cold heartless bastard!

I think it is so fantastic that they are allowing disabled people show off their talents at the Commonwealth Games... a lot of them would do way better than those who are able bodied.

I think we have become PC about this because we don't want to discriminate against people who are different.. which I think is a good thing. On the weekend I had a group of women who are IHC come into work with a caregiver... I didn't even realise they were until she gave me the check... I love it how they are now being given the opportunity to live a normal life.

I do understand but by saying nothing we are also discriminating if that makes sense because we would say something if they were not disabled.......don't be scared because you will be rewarded.

From my personal point of view I want to expose Natalie to as much as possible to live a normal life and that is helped by others not being PC and almost forgetting that she is disabled as I do.....

[Grahameeboy]

Maybe they could have guide dolphins?

Seriously, I've worked with/known quite a few people with disabilities of one sort or another.

In the early stages of disability most people (I think - this is totally amateur observation) go through a period where they are struggling to come to terms with the disability. At this stage they can be very sensitive to any comment at all about it, and it is best to say nothing. Obviously, doesn't apply to those born disabled.

Once that stage is worked through, then people are perfectly capable of telling the difference between a good humoured joke and a hurtful jibe.

I think it is demeaning to a disabled person to *not* recognise the disability - it's making the disability something to be ashamed of. One should, I think, accept a disabled person's disability as just part of who they are- like having red hair. Neither purient nosiness about it, nor embarassed "shh don't say anything".

And it is usually the non-disabled onlooker (like Mrs Insanity_Rules) who objects not the disabled person. The objection reflects the objectors "uncomfortableness" about disability.

A cruel jibe is of course another matter. But even intellectually disabled folk can tell the difference.

I love you Ixion.....................you are right when you are disabled due to injury you have to come to terms and a bit more careful PC has to be adopted but for my Daughter that was born disabled that is all she knows and even at 3 she jokes about it with me....

[Finn]

I take the piss out of myself more than anyone else (well probably not knowing my friends!), jokes about swimming in circles etc. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? Bring on the jokes.

I've often wondered OAB, how do you ride? Do you have a double levered clutch and brake on one side like Aaron Slight (the real Aaron Slight)

[BuFfY]

I am studying to be a teacher so it is very highly likely that I will have a disabled child in my class... I always thought I would treat them exactly the same as everyone... I have never been on to distinguish the differnce between anyone or treat them different... but is that discrimination? What would be the best way/ thing to say to a disabled child in my class or even throughout my school?

[onearmedbandit]

How do you scratch your right elbow? Do you ride in circles too?

Bastard, never thought about that! Now it's going to haunt me!


(Nah, scratch it on my leg or a table or something)

[onearmedbandit]

I've often wondered OAB, how do you ride? Do you have a double levered clutch and brake on one side like Aaron Slight (the real Aaron Slight)

Kind of, my front brake lever is in the normal position while my clutch lever is on the opposite side of the clip-on operated by my thumb. Very simple.

[Grahameeboy]

I am studying to be a teacher so it is very highly likely that I will have a disabled child in my class... I always thought I would treat them exactly the same as everyone... I have never been on to distinguish the differnce between anyone or treat them different... but is that discrimination? What would be the best way/ thing to say to a disabled child in my class or even throughout my school?

Well you will be teaching at mainstream school so any disabled child sent to your school will not need to go to a Special Needs School so will more than likely be physically disabled only, like my Daughter.

You already have the right attitude, they will teach you....yes it is that simple and in terms of physical stuff, only help if they ask for it.......

[BuFfY]

Well you will be teaching at mainstream school so any disabled child sent to your school will not need to go to a Special Needs School so will more than likely be physically disabled only, like my Daughter.

You already have the right attitude, they will teach you....yes it is that simple and in terms of physical stuff, only help if they ask for it.......

Thanks :) Glad to know my attitude is a good one!

[Grahameeboy]

Thanks :) Glad to know my attitude is a good one!

Certainly is........................feel free to PM me if you ever need advice or want to met Natalie for an insight....

[Goblin]

It is PC gone mad! It has made lots of people afraid to discuss all sorts of topics. Most disabled people (be it physical or intellectual) have a sense of humor too and it's good for the spirit to be involved in humorous banter. Not saying its good to tease mercilessly, but a bit of joking around is great.
I worked with a woman with a condition called Arthrogyposis Multiplex Congenita, she has no movement in her arms and her legs are braced during the day to stop her falling over. She gets around ok in her home but needs her wheelchair to go any distance. Now when I first met her I was frightened of her. After the first week I found her to have a wicked sense of humor. We got on so well there was never a dull moment. We even put racing stickers on her chair. We became close friends outside of work aswell and my kids got to know her as the person she is as opposed to her condition. She would laugh at kid's honesty and thought they were so cute.
I take my hat off to people like her for living life to the fullest and not letting shallow narrow-minded people get her down.

[Grahameeboy]

It is PC gone mad! It has made lots of people afraid to discuss all sorts of topics. Most disabled people (be it physical or intellectual) have a sense of humor too and it's good for the spirit to be involved in humorous banter. Not saying its good to tease mercilessly, but a bit of joking around is great.
I worked with a woman with a condition called Arthrogyposis Multiplex Congenita, she has no movement in her arms and her legs are braced during the day to stop her falling over. She gets around ok in her home but needs her wheelchair to go any distance. Now when I first met her I was frightened of her. After the first week I found her to have a wicked sense of humor. We got on so well there was never a dull moment. We even put racing stickers on her chair. We became close friends outside of work aswell and my kids got to know her as the person she is as opposed to her condition. She would laugh at kid's honesty and thought they were so cute.
I take my hat off to people like her for living life to the fullest and not letting shallow narrow-minded people get her down.

:niceone: :2thumbsup :hug: :rockon: :D

[ManDownUnder]

Insanity Rules - I thonk your comment was bloody funny personally... and I'm willing to bet the blind guy would think similar...

Let's face it - if he was a "wo is me" type - think he'd have made it to the Comm Games?

Those guys rock. Obstacles smobstacles...

Reminds me of the guy that taught my wife and I sign language. He was deaf AND had cerebral palsy... so he represented NZ in Weight lifting at the Special Olimpics.

He had a wicked sense of humour too - good guy! I'd love to meet him again

[Colapop]

Anyone see that movie on 2, sunday arvo a couple of weeks back? It's called "Door to door." About a guy called Bill Porter (www.billporter.com) who has Cerebal Palsy and became a door to door salesman. It was pretty cool. The guy himself was/is tenacious to say the least. Much respect to anyone who gets off the arse and makes their life happen - regardless of ability.

[FLUB]

Hell I take the piss out of everything,including myself. My friends often say your going to hell for that one, and sometimes I have to agree but it was damn funny :)

I'd better go to hell cos I can't play a harp. :)

[Lias]

I think the comment was funny.

I also support it both from the PoV that I think NOTHING is too sacred or tabu for comedy, and that I think political correctness is a total load of arse.

[Grahameeboy]

Anyone see that movie on 2, sunday arvo a couple of weeks back? It's called "Door to door." About a guy called Bill Porter (www.billporter.com) who has Cerebal Palsy and became a door to door salesman. It was pretty cool. The guy himself was/is tenacious to say the least. Much respect to anyone who gets off the arse and makes their life happen - regardless of ability.

Good film matey......funny that women who bought things off him and when she died they found all the stuff in a room eh?

[Colapop]

Well, she had a disability herself and it wasn't the drinking.

[Pixie]

Maybe they could have guide dolphins?

Seriously, I've worked with/known quite a few people with disabilities of one sort or another.

I.
Everybody I ever met was disabled....and inferior:apumpin:

[Winston001]

There is a difference between laughing at someone and laughing with them. Poking ridicule at a disabled person is frowned upon. And that's the problem with a joke - the teller might not intend any harm or nastiness but the subject is in no position to defend themselves. Thus an attitude develops that it's ok to make fun of disabled people but no-one asks them how they feel.

Ever asked a Maori how he feels about racist jokes?

Language is a powerful tool. Unconciously we load all sorts of attitudes and prejudices into a single word. Think of "Retard". IHC people used to be called that and it is an accurate word. But we don't use it any more.

So IMHO we need to tread carefully when making jokes about disabled people. I note that Graham and others specifically refer to joking around with disabled people which is quite a different thing. That is laughing with them and the more of it the better.

I'll admit to smiling about the blind swimmer and would hope the swimmer could smile too.

[thealmightytaco]

I thought it was funny, not especially but you know.

Father has a tetraplegic friend who deals in computers, works the keyboard and trackball with a stick with a thimble on the end that he puts in his mouth, knows more about computers and programming than anyone. Enough to make a damn good living on it anyway. He's a bloody champion.
Anyway, he occasionally needed to build the odd computer, and he'd ring me in cause he needed "a pair of hands" to put the bits together, cause his "are ornamental now". His wife/nurse could have done it but didn't like the prospect of breaking all that money. And he had porn from MS Dos era! Just a totally normal guy.

PC can suck my balls, and so can Chuck Norris.

[Maha]

Very funny Insanity, one thing i thought of was if blind guy in lane 8 had got on the starter block the wrong way, now, although that could have been a bit messy, there would have been a slight eliment of humour also. I think he was lucky that there was somebody there bang his head cos that could have way different too.....donk...back up...donk...back up...donk...back up, enuff said i guess you get the picture?. Billy T James had fun with this very process, he was singing with a few friends one night, one being Eddie Low ( blind guy ) they led him onto the stage but faced him away from the crowd.

[yungatart]

My Daughter is disabled and at 3 has a powered wheelchair. When I take her on the ferry to daycare, she whizzes around and some people say things like "all she needs now is a number and a roll cage" and humurous things like that.

I work with a disabled student at school. She has one of those power wheel chairs too. hXc is always threatening to borrow her chair, turbo boost it, put in a NOS kit, low profile tyres etc etc- she laughs and laughs when he jokes around with her like that. I also work with a visually impaired boy, I needed to get new glasses but told him I would have to wait till school hols as I couldn't see with out them- we had lots of laughs about the blind leading the blind...
Yes , they just want to be treated the same as everyone else -and No! Their sense of humour isn't broken!

[onearmedbandit]

Oh I've met some that think the world owes them aliving.

[Jamezo]

a++++++++++ great ebayer would trade again

goods came only slightly soiled, though i think the vibrating anus is malfunctioning

[Insanity_rules]

There is a difference between laughing at someone and laughing with them. Poking ridicule at a disabled person is frowned upon. And that's the problem with a joke - the teller might not intend any harm or nastiness but the subject is in no position to defend themselves. Thus an attitude develops that it's ok to make fun of disabled people but no-one asks them how they feel.

Ever asked a Maori how he feels about racist jokes?

Language is a powerful tool. Unconciously we load all sorts of attitudes and prejudices into a single word. Think of "Retard". IHC people used to be called that and it is an accurate word. But we don't use it any more.

So IMHO we need to tread carefully when making jokes about disabled people. I note that Graham and others specifically refer to joking around with disabled people which is quite a different thing. That is laughing with them and the more of it the better.

I'll admit to smiling about the blind swimmer and would hope the swimmer could smile too.

Wow one of my threads got 38 posts and climbing, thanks you guys!
Funny you should say this Winston. My Cousin and I used to call each other Nigger, Black arse and Hori when we were kids. Now my cousin is very brown maori and I look white as you please.
I saw him at Queensgate one afternoon when I was about 13 and he yelled to me "Mark ya black arse" and i replied "Tama, whats up my nigger" and a older maori guy kindly offered to smack me into next tuesday. If it weren't for my cousin interjecting and explaining that I'm part maori too he probably would have done.

We saw no problem in it, I think we were taking the hate out of those words and turning them into fun.

[Insanity_rules]

Side note:
On Sunday I took a good friend of mine for a ride on the back of my bike, he has spinabiffida. He was so buzzed he asked If one could be modified for him.

I said I'd see no problem modifying a quad but 2 wheels might not work well.

He replied well for that kind of fun he could get used to falling sideways. I laughed so hard with the mental imagry I thought I'd busted something. He did too.

[SpeedyGirl]

I have a mate that lost both legs in a train yard accident when he was 9. He is now an extremly highly paid motivational speaker, rides a modified 4 wheeler, drives a race car, has his pilots licence and is a black belt. He is the most amazing person I have ever met, nothing holds him back. He would be the first to make a crack about being short and walking somewhere.....he has never let anything or anyone stand in his way of achieving goals that he set for himself......and a lot of fun to go clubbing with ;)

[Grahameeboy]

Oh I've met some that think the world owes them aliving.

Remember, a lot of abled bodied people think the same too....no groups mentioned of course........guess it depends on whether they were born disabled or sutained due to an accident I guess...in the later I guess there is some self pity...

[Grahameeboy]

I work with a disabled student at school. She has one of those power wheel chairs too. hXc is always threatening to borrow her chair, turbo boost it, put in a NOS kit, low profile tyres etc etc- she laughs and laughs when he jokes around with her like that. I also work with a visually impaired boy, I needed to get new glasses but told him I would have to wait till school hols as I couldn't see with out them- we had lots of laughs about the blind leading the blind...
Yes , they just want to be treated the same as everyone else -and No! Their sense of humour isn't broken!

More of this pleaase....I may give you that call I have threatened to do...he he

[sAsLEX]

Ever asked a Maori how he feels about racist jokes?


our most famous comedian used the racist jokes as a backbone to his performances, good old billy t, so they cant be too upset

[Grahameeboy]

Wow one of my threads got 38 posts and climbing, thanks you guys!
Funny you should say this Winston. My Cousin and I used to call each other Nigger, Black arse and Hori when we were kids. Now my cousin is very brown maori and I look white as you please.
I saw him at Queensgate one afternoon when I was about 13 and he yelled to me "Mark ya black arse" and i replied "Tama, whats up my nigger" and a older maori guy kindly offered to smack me into next tuesday. If it weren't for my cousin interjecting and explaining that I'm part maori too he probably would have done.

We saw no problem in it, I think we were taking the hate out of those words and turning them into fun.

No thank you Insanity Rules........................

[Timber020]

I have yet to learn the skill of knowing when something thats funny isnt appropiate. I think your comment showed good wit and was alot more pc than something I might have come up with.
Heck I will insult anyone about anything, if people are easily offended then they need to toughen up most of the time. I have to admit when my dad got prostate cancer and I mentioned that he should have picked it up earlier due to him having his head up his arse so often, I did wonder if, on occation I might take it a bit far.

Keep up the good work!