June 21, 2009
Here are some examples of politically correct language and some examples of not so correct terminology about those of us who have sustained a brain injury. For demonstration purposes we are using all capital letters at the beginning of each word.
BEST TERMS.
Individual with (a) Brain Injury
Individuals with (a) Brain Injury
Person with (a) Brain Injury
People with (a) Brain Injury
Survivor with or of (a) Brain Injury
Survivors with or of (a) Brain Injury
Further examples in this best category include but are not limited to:
Survivors of Acquired Brain Injury
Person with an Acquired Brain Injury
People with Anoxic Brain Injuries
Survivors of Stroke
Survivor of TBI
Person with Postconcussion Syndrome
People with Brain Tumors
Person with Brain Injury due to Encephalitis
Survivor of Acquired Brain Injury
Person with Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Syndrome
People with Post-TBI Syndrome
OK TERMS (as these are being used in various survivor groups).
Brain Injury Survivor
Brain Injury Survivors
Brain Injury Winner
Brain Injury Thriver
Additional examples in this OK category include but are not limited to:
TBI Survivor
Stroke Survivor
Anoxic Injury Survivor
Meningitis Survivor
Brain Tumor Survivor
Coma Survivor
Brain Injury Survivors
Aneurysm Survivors
FAIR TERMS.
Person or People with Cognitive Challenges
(Please note that not all persons with a brain injury are ultimately cognitively challenged, although many are. Some do recover their cognitive functions. Also, some have other sorts of physical, perceptual, or sensory challenges, but may ultimately restore to a cognitively normal level.)
Person or People with an Intellectual Disability
(This has generally referred to persons born with developmental disabilities. So when it comes to Persons with Acquired Brain Injuries, this would not be the most accurate term.)
POOR TERMS.
Brain Injured Victim
Brain Injured Victims
Brain Damaged Person
Brain Damaged People
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