“Cripple doesn’t equal weak.” Nancy Mairs takes pride in calling herself cripple, claiming the word that identifies herself. Nancy Mairs, an American woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, wants the world to acknowledge her disability, and be aware of how to approach such a sensitive topic. Nancy Mairs utilizes a direct tone, an argumentative structure, and the strategic repetition of the word “cripple” to talk about the perception of her disability. To further elucidate the tone, Nancy Mairs utilizes a direct tone to display the reality of her disability. In her writing she expresses, “these words seem to me to be moving away from my condition, to be widening the gap between word and reality.” She clarifies that although many are using the …show more content…
That it does not display reality and completely dehumanizes her illness. Many writers have the tendency to use repetition in their writing as it gives them the ability to reinforce their point, assuring that their point is engraved into their minds. The opening line of her writing begins with “I am a cripple”. I chose this word to name me”... she then continues to say “crippled or not”, wince at the word “cripple”...” Mairs repeats the word “cripple”, making this her word, to let others know that despite others may not agree with the word, it is what she feels best being described. She then says, “Society is no more ready to accept crippledness than to accept death, war.” This refers to how many are uncomfortable using or talking about the word crippledness, which is why she compares it to death, war, sex, etc. By repeating this word, no matter how many avoid the word cripple, they are avoiding a serious topic/conversation. In conclusion, Nancy Mairs demonstrated a sense of pride that she carries around as a cripple, demonstrating that a disability doesn’t define who she