feuervogel | (Reply)

I often like "pathetic" as a substitute for "lame". It often works where I would have used "lame". As I do hang out in online disability communities, I do run across people who self-describe as "lame", so it definitely is in use still for the physical disability, even though it isn't most people's first thought for what it means. For that matter, while I don't use "spaz" when I heard the term in childhood, I didn't know its origin was from "spastic" for people who have specific medical problems that cause movement difficulties. I don't need to make a deliberate effort to avoid it, because it's not really in my vocabulary, but the people for whom the term does apply seem to be well aware of the connection and to have heard it too much.

I do sometimes self-describe as "lame" since it is a part of my personal potpourri of issues, although it's more intermittent since my issues with walking are not within my legs but based on the systemic issues. Although if I exert myself then I will appear lame if I then try to walk. Mainly I use it so I can point out that being disabled is so lame[1].

[1] Which I'm allowed to do because I'm legally blind. When you go blind it turns out that one of your other senses magically improves[2]. Usually it is your sense of humor.

[2] Not guaranteed to happen in all cases. The author takes no responsibility for people who blind themselves and gain no magical benefits. Some exclusions may apply.