Reeve Foundation Paralysis Community

I was having dinner with my friend Martine, last week. Martine is a spirited, middle-aged woman from Belgium. As the conversation turned to the larger social sphere, I learned a new word. Martine shared with me how she had nursed her ailing mother back to health this summer and that things were okay because in Europe the (social) system is more "deflopped."

"deflopped" sounded bad but the context suggested that it was good.

"Martine? Did you just say deflopped?"

She turned, delighted but confused by my question. "Deflopped? No, eh..." she laughed, "developed (de ve lop pay). In French, we say developee..."

So let me just say this evening, the word is still deflopped.

1. deflopped- (adj. de flopped) the meaning is negative. It means miserable, without hope.

e.g. In America, the economic system is deflopped. The social system is pretty deflopped too.

i guess this leaves the positive alternative...flopped.

2. flopped- (adj. flopped) full of promise, great optimism and hope.

e.g., I like Barack Obama because he's flopped. or...when i turned 21 my muscles flopped (okay, it does not work in all situations).

my point, uh, maybe?

I like new words. I've been deflopping my creative muscle lately and would like to offer up some neologisms (yes, i had to look that word up).

According to the on-line American Dictionary, neologisms are:

1. A new word, expression, or usage.
2. The creation or use of new words or senses.

What I've come up with are

Neurological neologisms- words from my recent airport travel

McSquishy- (Mick Squishy) the taxi driver who quickly manages to get the wheelchair into the trunk (he has to squishy something to get the tires in)

Stuffication- the feeling you get when trapped next to a very chatty Danish woman on a business trip

Colostophobia- what you experience when she shares a little too much after her second glass of wine

Tipping- what you are NOT supposed to do in your sporty wheelchair but rather the money you give to the transport people

Todlerizing- when security refers to all of your travel companions or friends as your mother...

Dope Pushers- usually young African American men (i'm just saying...these are the guys who get these jobs. the Biffs and Bradley's of the world are carrying bags at the Club). they are strong and full of too much energy. it comes out in ways such as...giving you, in the wheelchair, one GIIIIIANT PUSH...standing back, and then running after you to catch up before you stop and/or hit something...you know like a person, or a wall

okay, and a few more from the grocery store parking lot

Ass halted- when you get your "ass halted" by a stranger usually well-meaning who unapologetically grabs, pats, pulls or pokes you in the name of God

BooBooism- closely related to toddlerizing this is when you ask someone with a SCI when is it going to get better? (hint: it's probably not)

Gohomeopathetic medicine- a phrase i would like to coin for anyone who wants to stick mudpacks on me

Hoprah- actually her name was Cathy but she had Hope and the self-assured vision of Oprah

Shamens- to me the equivalent of the biblical lepers. someone to be stayed away from but loved...people who view a disability or SCI as a shame and then promise you healing through prayer...and amens!

noseyology- the branch of human interest that seeks to define and understand disabled people in public.

I find it okay when someone's doing noseyological reasearch one-on-one or at a in-private level but in the parking lot at Krogers it's off-putting.

When someone starts a conversation with

"How are you? What is it that you have…MS? Do you have CP?"

I know they are doing noseyological research.

I'd like to end with an example story to sum up. to see if you can identify or apply some of these terms BUT...I think this is probably enough "entercation" (entertainment and education)

Take care all.

amanda

http://homepage.mac.com/amv12/iMovieTheater49.html

p.s. for those really into video quality. you might enjoy this too. 10min. of your life you will not get back but there's a good face-plant into the blinds in there...

Hi there.

If you are starting to check my blog with any regularity, I'd just like to ask for your patience. Columbus, OH, where I live, was hit with a very big windstorm this weekend. Many places have been without power for several days and at my apartment it looks like this will be the case for the rest of the week.  My ability to make and check for posts and comments is a bit compromised but I'll do my best.

Take care,

Amanda

*we do have power here at the office

okay, just a little more background on me. i live with a roommate...Mitty, the kitty.

i'm a little anxious tonight because mitty has her yearly trip to the vet tomorrow morning...this means I have to catch her and stick her in the pet taxi before she knows what hit her...

the wobbly person with sore ribs is no match for a hiding cat. wish me luck and i will report back. i'm going to need to rest up for this one : ).

good night.

a-lo

I'm very excited to be a part of the community building here at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation site. Perhaps to make this a little easier I should introduce myself and let you know how I arrived here.

The standard introduction goes: I was 16yrs. old when I was injured in a car accident (freak accident 2 blocks from home). It broke my C5-C6 vertebra and I experienced paralysis from the neck down. I was very lucky. My injury was not "complete." I was able to regain much recovery over the course of the first year. I was able to go home from the hospital with the ability to walk...about 100ft. Today, I am 33yrs. old and although it hasn't been easy (or as complete as I'd like) I've been able to work my body back to a place where I can walk with a cane and enjoy most activities I used to enjoy.--My BIG hang-up is SPORTS! (I love sports, being an athlete)...which will come out in my blog writing so let's leave that...

I am a counseling psychologist by training but have chosen as a profession to work in a job where I help people with disabilities find jobs. I'm also certified as a personal trainer and one day hope to incorporate this with my counseling. All of this did not exactly lead me to doing this blog. My belief in the value of creative writing did. I greatly enjoy sharing my life and finding value in what just..."does not make sense!" to me (usually through humor). It is what has held my life together after my injury. I wanted to join this CDRF effort to help build this community (SCIs, caregivers, friends, SCI professionals, students etc. ) and watch us grow together through our blog interactions.

okay, this is kinda sorta how I got here (see blog title "My Brain Stretches")...I usually do get to a point. I'd like to invite you to leave comments on my blog. In good humor let me just say, I look forward to being an ever "handicapable" friend and resource for you.

Take Care.

Amanda