Why Disfigurement?
Last week, I had the chance to attend NYU Langone’s Alopecia Support Group. As I was explaining what we do, one of the attendees told me that she found it a bit off-putting that I was using the word disfigurement. This is not the first time that I have been told this.
I can understand that people don’t like to be described as "disfigured" because I used to dislike being described that way too. This is, in part, because of the word’s prefix; dis- implicates that there is something wrong or negative with ones figure. I would say, however, that people don’t like using this word mostly because of its negative connotation as it comes from the stigma felt by being considered different, faulty and/or not good enough by society.
I also understand why people do not like when someone else gives them an identity that they do not relate to. It is not only disrespectful, but it can also cause pain and lead others to withdraw from society. This is why I make sure to pay close attention to the words that our volunteers use to describe their experience; I strongly believe that language is a powerful tool for healing. Thus each of our bathing suits comes with a bag detailing the story behind our volunteers’ disfigurement, as using the exact words that they themselves use to describe their experience helps them own and embrace their narrative.
When people ask why I use the term “disfigurement” I explain that I have done my research. I have corroborated with key organizations, like Changing Faces UK, that the most relevant term to encompass all visual differences from burn scars to facial palsy, among others, is disfigurement. This obviously becomes problematic when you want to use one word to describe something as vast as it is universal, because, as my geneticist once told me: “in a sense, we all have something.”
My concern with using any other word other than disfigurement, be it visual or physical difference, is that by doing so it is not clear enough what we are referring to. A physical difference can be having brown hair, as opposed to black, for example. If we are not clear about what we are referring to or if there is any confusion as to what we are trying to do, we will fail to break the stigma that surrounds not only the word in question, but the community it seeks to represent.
I want to invite you all to help me give a new breath of meaning to the word disfigurement. Instead of being constricted by the word’s literal meaning, we should feel empowered to give new definitions to the words that make us uncomfortable or that cause us pain. By taking ownership of the language, we can change not only our perceptions but the perceptions of others. And that is powerful.
Comments
WEB BAILIFF CONTRACTOR; USDT, BITCOIN SCAM RECOVERY AGENCY
In bitcoin investment schemes, scammers contact investors claiming to be seasoned “investment managers.” As part of the scheme, the so-called investment managers claim to have made millions investing in cryptocurrency and promise their victims that they will make money with investments. Soon after making deposits, victims are asked for more payment which they eventually are unable to withdraw or communicate with the investment managers. It is extremely difficult for police to recover funds once they have been transferred to these fake investment companies, therefore, crypto recovery services like Web Bailiff Contractors come in handy. Essentially, Web Bailiff began as a low key operation targeting fake exchange platforms that scam innocent naive investors. They would track down their identity and return the deposits to the victims anonymously. Recently, they created a channel through which victims can approach them to present their individual cases. If you have encountered such investment platforms or know a victim, contact them through email web @ bailiffcontractor . net,Whatsapp: +1(360)8198556)
Do you need to hack into any, database server, spy on Facebook, Emails, WhatsApp, Viber, Snapchat, Instagram, If you have been scammed by crypto investment, bitcoin loss, or bank transfer. I recommend reaching out to, Email, BrunoeQuickhack@gmail.com for your money recovery solution. You truly change lives.
Thank you once again for your outstanding service.
Sincerely, What(APP)—- +——-1705 --784——2635….
Being the winner of a multi-million-dollar lottery certainly is a life-changing event for almost every single lottery winner. My name is Mavis Wanczyk from Chicopee, Massachusetts and I want to use this medium to tell you how I became the famous Powerball lottery winner of $758 million (£591m). I know many people would wonder how I had won the lottery. Would you believe me if I told you that I did it with spell casting? I met this famous spell caster known as Doctor Odunga and he was the one who did it for me. As shocking as it was to me, my famous comment to the press was “ I’m going to go and hide in my bed.” Never did I believe that Dr. Odunga would make me wealthy overnight. If you want to have your chance of winning and becoming very wealthy just like me, contact Chief Dr. Odunga at odungaspelltemple@outlook.com OR Email: odungaspelltemple@gmail.com and WHATS-APP HIM at +2348167159012 and you will be lucky. Thanks for reading and hope to see you at the top
FIX THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS TO ALL ACROSS THE
Get your ex back spell Lottery Spell Love/Reunion Spell Pregnancy Spell Protection Spell Freedom From Prison Spell Marriage spell Killing/Revenge spell Healing/Cure spellGLOBE ON:
Contact him for any of these today at:
EMAIL: odungaspelltemple@gmail.com OR Call and WHATS-APP HIM +2348167159012