Positive Language
The article “Trace” in WM Winter 2018 uses language about disability which has fallen into disfavor. Here’s the line: “He’s also fighting a degenerative neurological disease that has left the former defensive lineman, shot-putter, artist, and wordsmith homebound and confined to a wheelchair.”
The phrases “homebound” and “confined to a wheelchair” tend to support the medical model of disability rather than the social model. Some disabled people are wheelchair users, not prisoners of their wheelchairs. They use the wheelchair to get around.
In this case this particular language seems to be used to emphasize the tragedy of going from an athletic and talented person to a helpless victim of disease. It is perhaps a useful literary flourish, but is not supportive of positive attitudes toward those who use wheelchairs to enhance their freedom.
I would encourage the magazine to develop a policy to use more positive language with regard to people with disabilities.
JEFFREY HARVEY ’91
London, UK
Thank you for drawing our attention to this issue—it’s one I need to be more aware. In this case I thought the writing accurately depicted Trace’s feeling toward his condition, and I felt that was a significant detail. But this is a situation far different than that of the many people for whom a wheelchair is a tool for mobility and freedom. I will certainly keep that in mind. —Ed.
Receiving Compassion
I used part of my day to read WM Winter 2018 but kept finding articles that I wanted to copy and send to friends. One in particular was the piece about the film I’ll Push You [“The Joy We Find in Helping,” pg. 18). Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray’s tale demonstrates that we often overlook the compassion we receive.
I still recall my four years at Wabash and the numerous small but not insignificant acts of kindness and compassion from classmates, faculty, and staff. The Wabash community seems to retain the same spirit of generosity and compassion that marks a significant difference for the College when contrasted with campuses many times larger.
WILLIAM SUMMERS ’66
Des Moines, IA
“A Place of Gratitude”
Your essay, “Hard Stuff” (WM, Winter 2018), took me to a welcomed respite from the daily assault of what pretends to be the news, a place of gratitude that can often remain elusive.
Yes, we do “see most clearly, cherish most deeply, when we’re working through the hard stuff.”
Thank you for reminding us.
ANNE M. PETTY
Stockbridge, MA
Correction: Shards or Sherds?
Our entry about Darrell Lance ’57 and his book on the result of the excavations at Tel Gezer in Israel between 1964 and 1971, incorrectly used the term “pottery shards.” The correct archaeological term for such pieces of pottery is “sherds,” and Professor Lance used that term in his description, which the editor “corrected” to shards. Shards refers to glass. Pottery pieces are called sherds.
Writing About “The Hard Stuff”
Four different college alumni magazines come to our house. The one that regularly outclasses the other three is WM.
The issue on “The Hard Stuff” [Winter 2018] recently reached us. College alumni magazines are relentlessly upbeat. But the piece on Garrard McClendon (“Forgiving Cain”) wrestles sensitively with unimaginable tragedy. So, too, Christina Egbert's tribute to Trace Bulger ’19.
I’m also bound to appreciate that you included Eleanor Clift’s report on her visit to campus, including my friend David Kendall ’66 and his thoughts on the all-male policy. We got the sense at my 50th reunion, five years ago, that the subject could not even be raised, but there it is in the magazine.
Keep up the fine work.
DAN CROFTS ’63
Southampton, PA