Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Advocating for people with disabilities: People First Language

Leonard Wang
Education
July 23, 2021
11 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

You are more likely to be struck by lightning than be born with cri du chat syndrome and OCD. The chances of becoming a performer with these diagnoses are even smaller, and yet, what a show Tanner performed.

His performance is meticulously planned out. Pump soap dispenser twice. Rub hands three times. Wash quickly. Create bubble! As the first bubble emerges, the kids take notice.

Pushing her wheelchair forward, Maria pops the enormous bubble; momentarily ignoring the discomfort of his limp, Peter eagerly chases it. I stand on the sidelines, encouraging Tanner. I am where I want to be: an environment where disabilities are embraced, not ridiculed; where the lightning strike is seen as lucky, not unlucky.

I discovered Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP) in 2016. The first time I attended CAMP, my camper was a boy who is nonverbal and diagnosed with moderate ASD. It has been five years, and to this day, I still have scars on my arms from his more aggressive behaviors. Despite all of this, I continue to go back each summer. An important aspect of CAMP’s mission that resonates with me is promoting acceptance and inclusion. For one week out of the year, children with disabilities are encouraged to be themselves. The opportunity to be a part of an empowering community is what brings me back to CAMP each year.

One lasting impact from CAMP has been my adoption of “People First Language.” The idea is to always put a person before his or her diagnosis, but in the case that a diagnosis is mentioned, one will always say, for example, “a person with autism” and never “an autistic person.” In doing so, the person comes before the diagnosis, and it reaffirms that a diagnosis does not precede any other qualities of an individual. By recognizing the person—rather than the disability—first, People First Language is a method of communication that reflects knowledge and respect for people with disabilities. A choice as simple as how to order your words demonstrates sensitivity while working to eliminate prejudicial vernacular. Choosing to use People First Language is the first step towards advocating for people with disabilities.

My experiences at CAMP revealed the shocking healthcare disparities that afflict people in the state of Texas, especially those with special needs. I discovered that many of my campers’ families struggle to access adequate healthcare for their child, and a number of them can barely make ends meet with expensive therapies and medications. Witnessing the struggles of these families reinforces my determination to become a doctor for those marginalized by our healthcare system. The people who had once been anonymous in their suffering are now a significant part of my community.

As I start medical school this summer, I’m reminded of the reasons that brought me here. Tanner. Sal. Wyatt. Michael. Lucian. Gavin. These individuals hold a special place in my heart and fuel my drive to become a doctor. Starting in college, I’ve kept a picture wall of my favorite memories from CAMP above my desk. To this day, I find myself repeating Tanner’s bubble-making process whenever I wash my hands. CAMP gave me a community, but the people in that community helped me find myself. Let’s make sure our language respects all people, regardless of any disability.

Leonard Wang is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Is Open Notes as good in practice as it is in theory?

July 23, 2021 Kevin 1
…
Next

The horror of keeping a loved one alive at all costs

July 23, 2021 Kevin 5
…

Tagged as: Medical school

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Is Open Notes as good in practice as it is in theory?
Next Post >
The horror of keeping a loved one alive at all costs

More by Leonard Wang

  • My high school was harder than my first year of medical school

    Leonard Wang
  • Osler and the doctor-patient relationship

    Leonard Wang
  • Climate change is a public health crisis: a look into the Pacific Northwest heatwave

    Leonard Wang

Related Posts

  • Want to improve telehealth? Ask people with disabilities.

    Christina Khou, PhD and Colleen Stiles-Shields, PhD
  • My people are dying. My country is burning. And I’m stuck in the medical education system.

    Elexus-Ember Carroll
  • The questions people ask medical students

    Menachem Gurevitz, DO
  • Should we encourage people to go into medicine?

    Millennial Doctor, MD
  • Why do people hate Obamacare?

    Julie Rovner
  • People who take opioids are the AIDS patients of today

    Heather Finlay-Morreale, MD

More in Education

  • The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage

    Kaelor Gordon
  • Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • From studying to baby kicks: Navigating motherhood in medical school

    Natalie Eichner-Seitz
  • The power of advocacy: a medical student’s journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

    Fabiola Plaza
  • From AI to love: the key to a better future in medical education

    Stevan Walkowski, DO
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 4 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Journal Shows Its Commitment to Exploring AI in Medicine
  • Do Away With 'Lockout' Period in iPLEDGE, FDA Advisors Urge
  • Cluster Headache, Migraine Linked to Circadian System
  • Smaller Liver Transplant Candidates Wait Longer, Less Likely to Receive Organ
  • A 'Double Whammy' for Gastric Cancer Risk

Meeting Coverage

  • Oral Roflumilast Effective in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Less Abuse With Extended-Release Oxycodone, Poison Center Data Suggest
  • Novel Strategies Show Winning Potential in Ovarian Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Advocating for people with disabilities: People First Language
4 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...