THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409070141
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Barbara Brabham of Chesapeake is handicapped - and not only by the polio she contracted in infancy.
She is handicapped by the narrow-minded prejudice of what has come to be known as ``political correctness.''
Mrs. Brabham and her son, Caleb, have written a book for children, My Mom is Handicapped. It describes a young boy's efforts to deal with his mother's disability.
The Deep Creek High School teacher has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The charity is willing to accept the money, but they are concerned that the word ``handicapped'' in the title might be considered offensive to people who have physical disabilities.
Mrs. Brabham explained that young readers can more easily understand the word ``handicapped'' than its more politically correct synonyms, ``disabled'' and ``physically challenged.''
Their thinking - to put it in a way they'll understand - is rationally challenged. by CNB