THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240512
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Barbara Brabham has been handicapped all of her 42 years.
That's how she describes herself, without pity or apology. She walks with the aid of a leg brace and crutches (``Tom and Jerry,'' she calls them), and uses a wheelchair at Deep Creek High School, where she works as a reading specialist.
But Monday she lost the support of an organization dedicated to helping others like her because the term ``handicapped'' is unacceptable.
Brabham teamed with her 10-year-old son, Caleb, to write and illustrate a children's book, ``My Mom is Handicapped.'' Proceeds from sales of the $17.95 hardback, released last month by Cornerstone Publishing of Virginia Beach, are being donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit group.
The association, however, is refusing to promote the book because the title is considered derogatory to people with disabilities, Brabham said.
She contends that the association had agreed to promote the book and says the word ``handicapped'' is easier for children to comprehend.
Children ``don't understand the phrase `physically challenged,' and `disabled' sounds worse,'' said Brabham, who lives in Great Bridge. ``The word `disabled' is a little offensive to me - why do they have to tell me what I am? Why are they labeling me?
``How can I ever explain political correctness to my son?'' she asked. ``I thought the whole idea of political correctness was to make people feel good.''
Marilyn Richardson of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Hampton Roads office in Norfolk, would not discuss the issue. She would say only that Brabham took on the project herself and that the association wished her the best of luck.
Brabham contracted polio at the age of 3 weeks and has neuromuscular degeneration similar to certain types of muscular dystrophy. She decided to donate the book's proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association because researchers have pinned down a muscular dystrophy gene and are close to finding a cure for various types of muscular dystrophy, she said.
After talking with the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Monday, Brabham searched through a stack of magazines and found the most recent edition of an association publication called Quest, which features a back-page ad promoting a book titled ``Handicapped in Walt Disney World, A Guide For Everyone.''
Brabham noted that the term ``handicapped'' is seen in many places, from restrooms to parking spaces.
Robert Dean, a Virginia Beach councilman and acting chairman of the Mayor's Committee for the Disabled, said references to the handicapped are commonplace today. His committee, in fact, formerly was named the Mayor's Committee on the Handicapped in the 1970s.
``That is absolutely ridiculous,'' he said, when told about Brabham's book. ``I have a real hard time with that - if the MDA is going to act this way, in my estimation they are handicapped.
``The NAACP stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,'' he added. ``But if you call anyone `colored' today they'll go ballistic.''
People with disabilities historically have been described in ``tremendously negative terms,'' such as crippled, maimed, deaf and dumb, deaf mute, retard and infirm, said Richard DiPeppe, director of community services for the Endependence Center, a housing and employment program in Norfolk for the disabled.
The term handicapped, DiPeppe explained, started in England after the 100 Years War, when soldiers begged in streets with their caps.
``The word `handicapped' revived again in the 1960s, then changed to disabled in the '80s,'' he said. ``In the '90s, they have become individuals with disabilities, so that they are seen as people first, their disability second.
``She (Brabham) can call herself anything she wants to,'' he said. ``We personally don't care what people call themselves. Is everyone supposed to think alike?''
Brabham, her husband, David, and Caleb were scheduled to be on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Labor Day Telethon but they have opted not to participate.
They're still donating the proceeds from the first 500 copies of the book to the Muscular Dystrophy Association but are unsure what they will do if the book goes into another printing.
``As a Christian, I don't want to hurt anyone but I have to take a stand,'' Brabham said. ``I wouldn't have written a harmful book. I think they're (officials of the Muscular Dystrophy Association) hurting themselves for making this choice.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by PETE SUNDBERG
Barbara Brabham and her son, Caleb, collaborated on a children's
book ``My Mom is Handicapped.'' Proceeds from sales of the $17.95
hardback are being donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The association, however, is refusing to promote the book, Brabham
said.
KEYWORDS: HANDICAPPED DISABILITY by CNB