I just noticed that in my last post I used the word "gimp." I would like to be perfectly clear on the usage of this sometimes highly inappropriate noun.

One of the first things a new staff member or volunteer to the Paralympic Games notices is the ease with which disabled athletes tell jokes about people with disabilities. Generally they are as hilarious as they are politically incorrect, and no harm is meant. The word “gimp” is thrown around quite regularly as a slang term of endearment, and is not meant to offend anyone (though in the wrong context it can be awfully hurtful). The volunteers are usually scandalized at first and then see we mean no harm. I’ll try to avoid using words like that in my blog, but if I do I want to be clear that it’s used all in good fun.

I’ll still never forget the night in Athens when stand-up comedian and Para soccer player Josh Blue gathered all the US athletes in the US quarter and gave us a no-holds barred comedy routine tailored specifically for, ah… our demographic. He was absolutely brilliant, and just to give you an idea of his comedic genius, he went on to win Last Comic Standing a couple years ago. I really suggest watching the clip, and a few more if you can find them. Josh is a one-of-a-kind guy.

One thing you will notice about his humor is that often it is self-directed. The same goes for a lot of the jokes and commentary one would hear at the Para Games. For one thing, the life of a disabled person is hard. (Well, duh, Carmichael--tell us something we don't know.) Even for disabled people like myself who have lived with these problems for a lifetime, it can be incredibly hard to live a life apart from the rest of humanity and to accept all the differences and obstacles. Humor makes that easier, especially since being a little self-effacing can break the ice. Humor make it easier for able-bodied folks to understand that being disabled doesn't change the fact that we're everyday people and we don't expect perfect political correctness all the time.

That being said, I've heard the term "gimp" and many other terms applied in hurtful, humiliating ways to myself and others. Simply put, it is a kind of bigotry, and that is one of the cruelest human behaviors. We know our bodies have been broken. Unless you want to help us smile about it, or need help understanding it, don't rub out faces in such a painful fact.

There. How's that for a fine line to walk? I hope I've shed some light on this subject, and not made it any more confusing. Feel free to ask if you are worried about offending, but chances are good that if you mean well and your heart is in the right place, then you have nothing to worry about. In fact, I'm more worried about causing you guys offense!

( A few fairly harmless disabled jokes... )