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Friday, July 10, 2020

Handicapped

Are you handicapped.  A definition may be "having a condition that markedly restricts one's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially."  An interesting description of the history of the word 'handicapped' is at https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/69361/why-did-disabled-replace-handicapped-preferred-term. The origin of the word was in horse racing where you put your hand in cap (with money ) to accept an advantage (a head start or extra weight ) to make a horse race more even.  Handicap has a similar usage in golf today.

Changing the definition above slightly to "having a condition that restricts one's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially."  gives it a better meaning.  Under this definition, are virtually all people  handicapped?  The only difference in the definitions is the degree of restriction which is arbitrary anyway.

Could any of the following characteristics be considered handicaps?
  • being short
  • being tall
  • being large
  • being small
  • being skinny
  • shyness
  • narcissism
  • materialism
  • racism
  • self pride
  • skin rash
  • asthma
  • nervousness
  • skin color

  • addictions to
    • smoking
    • alcohol
    • sex
    • violence
    • television
    • computer games
    • sports
    • work
    • reading

Are virtually all people handicapped?  Should anyone be further restricted because of a handicap?  Are all people equal on Gods scale?

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