Re: PC Terminology
Eric Schwelke, C.P.O.
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: PC Terminology
Creator:
Eric Schwelke, C.P.O.
Date:
5/11/1999
Text:
Harold: I share your pet peeve about calling foot orthoses
orthotics. The general public is unaware that they are really using
an adjective as a noun. But the English language is continually
evolving and the term is probably already considered a noun. (Has
anyone looked it up in the latest edition of the Oxford dictionary?) My
office is constantly getting requests for an orthotic or a
prosthetic. Not only from insurance companies and general inquiries,
but also from professionals. I have always tried to use the grammar I
was taught in elementary school so many years ago, but times change. At
least we know the correct usage.
Eric Schwelke
Anderson Harold R. wrote:
>
> Great points, Richard. I was hoping, too, that this would blow over
> but maybe it is good to discuss if terminology is causing problems for the
> patients/clients that we see. So, I'll jump in:-)
>
> When I was inducted into the (U.S.) army, a DI overheard me talking
> about the boys in our unit. I was severely criticized because we only
> have 'men' in our unit. Yet we still read about WW1 and WW2 accounts with
> references to the boys. One of my first encounters with my wife had me
> referring to a young woman as a girl. Again, I was criticized for
> demeaning this young woman. I remember terms for different ethnic groups
> changing over the years. What was once acceptable is no longer. People
> become more aware of different ways of interpreting a term. Some
> interpretations are insulting or demeaning to some.
>
> I'm frankly astounded that crip is or ever could be an acceptable
> term for anyone with a disability. But maybe that's the coming thing. I,
> frankly, won't propogate it as I am certain to insult someone. Then there's
> the term, disability. Some find that offensive. When I worked with the
> deaf and blind, they were trying to promote a different way of saying
> disabled as differently abled. That's more difficult to say and I don't
> believe it went anywhere. But it is a good point. Many disabled people
> do have wonderful abilities.
>
> As an orthotist, I've learned (from school and peers) to refer to
> those I work with as patients. I've never thought of it as demeaning or
> restricting. I'm very uncomfortable with referring to them as clients. We
> have a hard enough time getting providers to see us as separate from DME.
> But I am also uncomfortable referring to my patient. It is easier for me
> to say, and I do, but I always look on my patient as the patient referred
> to me.
>
> One of my pet peeves is referring to foot orthoses as orthotics.
> It really grates on me. I suspect that's similar to the reaction some are
> getting from our(or prosthetists?) use of the word patient. I know my
> discomfort with the term will have no effect on it's use and orthotic may
> actually be made a noun one day. I suspect that patient will continue to
> be used by orthotists and prosthetists despite the objections of some who
> are offended. But we should listen to them. Maybe a better alternative
> does exist. We should keep an open mind.
>
> Harold Anderson, CO
>
> > That is not the
> > brave new world of political correctness that I envision.
> > Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. I know I asked
> > for
> > it up front,
> > but I aimed to clarify, not to tear down. Please don't attack my
> > sincerity.
> >
> >
> > Richard Miller, CO
orthotics. The general public is unaware that they are really using
an adjective as a noun. But the English language is continually
evolving and the term is probably already considered a noun. (Has
anyone looked it up in the latest edition of the Oxford dictionary?) My
office is constantly getting requests for an orthotic or a
prosthetic. Not only from insurance companies and general inquiries,
but also from professionals. I have always tried to use the grammar I
was taught in elementary school so many years ago, but times change. At
least we know the correct usage.
Eric Schwelke
Anderson Harold R. wrote:
>
> Great points, Richard. I was hoping, too, that this would blow over
> but maybe it is good to discuss if terminology is causing problems for the
> patients/clients that we see. So, I'll jump in:-)
>
> When I was inducted into the (U.S.) army, a DI overheard me talking
> about the boys in our unit. I was severely criticized because we only
> have 'men' in our unit. Yet we still read about WW1 and WW2 accounts with
> references to the boys. One of my first encounters with my wife had me
> referring to a young woman as a girl. Again, I was criticized for
> demeaning this young woman. I remember terms for different ethnic groups
> changing over the years. What was once acceptable is no longer. People
> become more aware of different ways of interpreting a term. Some
> interpretations are insulting or demeaning to some.
>
> I'm frankly astounded that crip is or ever could be an acceptable
> term for anyone with a disability. But maybe that's the coming thing. I,
> frankly, won't propogate it as I am certain to insult someone. Then there's
> the term, disability. Some find that offensive. When I worked with the
> deaf and blind, they were trying to promote a different way of saying
> disabled as differently abled. That's more difficult to say and I don't
> believe it went anywhere. But it is a good point. Many disabled people
> do have wonderful abilities.
>
> As an orthotist, I've learned (from school and peers) to refer to
> those I work with as patients. I've never thought of it as demeaning or
> restricting. I'm very uncomfortable with referring to them as clients. We
> have a hard enough time getting providers to see us as separate from DME.
> But I am also uncomfortable referring to my patient. It is easier for me
> to say, and I do, but I always look on my patient as the patient referred
> to me.
>
> One of my pet peeves is referring to foot orthoses as orthotics.
> It really grates on me. I suspect that's similar to the reaction some are
> getting from our(or prosthetists?) use of the word patient. I know my
> discomfort with the term will have no effect on it's use and orthotic may
> actually be made a noun one day. I suspect that patient will continue to
> be used by orthotists and prosthetists despite the objections of some who
> are offended. But we should listen to them. Maybe a better alternative
> does exist. We should keep an open mind.
>
> Harold Anderson, CO
>
> > That is not the
> > brave new world of political correctness that I envision.
> > Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. I know I asked
> > for
> > it up front,
> > but I aimed to clarify, not to tear down. Please don't attack my
> > sincerity.
> >
> >
> > Richard Miller, CO
Citation
Eric Schwelke, C.P.O., “Re: PC Terminology,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 7, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211827.
