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Subject:Re: Political Correctness and the Writer From:Matt Ion <soundy -at- ROGERS -dot- WAVE -dot- CA> Date:Mon, 29 Sep 1997 12:43:29 -0800
On Mon, 29 Sep 1997 13:39:00 EDT, Carl Stieren wrote:
>It is always correct to
>refer to the condition or diagnosis that people have (multiple sclerosis,
>polio myelitis, cystic fibrosis).
But this leads to another dilemma. Are these people "victims" (eg. "MS
victim" - good for the sympathy play)? Are they "suffering from" their
disease/condition/disability (also good where sympathy is needed or
desired)? Or are they "survivors" (which to me sounds rather
condescending)? Or should things be worded such that they simply "have"
their disease/condition/whatever?
Your friend and mine,
Matt
<insert standard disclaimer here>
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