IndyStar Op-Ed: Be Careful Describing People with Disabilities

Today, The Indianapolis Star ran a letter to the editor that I wrote about how important it is to choose our words carefully in referring to people of diverse backgrounds, particularly people with disabilities. Below is the letter. I look forward to your comments.

"Blind." "Crippled." "Crazy." Those are words that hurt. They hurt the students and parents who choose to attend Indianapolis Public Schools. They hurt the children who excel in school. They hurt the teachers who are on the front lines educating our children. They are words that hurt our entire community.

I have spent my life with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the reason why I have always used a wheelchair. As a lawyer, husband, father and wheelchair user, I have been on the receiving end of thoughtless comments. However, I generally take those opportunities and turn them into teachable moments.

Last week, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White used those hurtful words during an interview with a local radio station where he discussed the challenges facing the state's largest school district.

Millions of Americans live with some type of disability. Anyone, at any point in time, can be affected by a disability, whether it's physical or cognitive. Maybe it's an aging baby boomer in need of a joint replacement, a child with autism, or a life forever changed by an unforeseen accident. A disability is simply not a condition of a select few.

Diversity encompasses more than just race and gender; it includes disability, educational background and, of course, economic status. At the same time, this unfortunate episode highlights how important it is that we choose our words wisely, because words -- and the context in which we use them -- have a lasting and damaging effect.

I don't doubt that White and the IPS system face tremendous challenges. But I hope, in this teachable moment, we all remember that we are a stronger -- and better -- community because of our willingness to embrace the diversity of our neighbor. Our children -- and their futures -- deserve no less.

Gregory S. Fehribach

Distinguished Fellow, Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State University

The Transformative Eskenazi Health

Last week, Greg and I hosted an event for colleagues, friends, and neighbors to brief them about a project that is very important to us: the new Wishard Hospital, which will be called Eskenazi Health. When we welcomed our guests at our home I told them that the Foundation had approached us about making a donation and we were happy to do so - but we wanted to do it our way.

Doing it our way found us on our front porch in our downtown neighborhood, sharing critically important details about a community health initiative that stands to transform health care in Central Indiana. Eskenazi Health, as outlined by Matt Gutwein, president and CEO of Marion County's Health & Hospital Corporation, presents a unique opportunity for our community in that we are building a brand new 21st Century hospital facility, which will serve everyone.

How this hospital is being built is one of the many reasons why Indianapolis is a truly remarkable community. Ernie Vargo, president and CEO of the Eskenazi Health Foundation, shared how Sid and Lois Eskenazi's unprecedented gift of $40 million allowed the Foundation to set its fundraising goal even higher. The Indianapolis Business Journal reported last week that Fifth Third Bank's $5 million gift was inspired by Kevin Hipskind's experience with Wishard. Hipskind, an executive vice president with the bank, was treated at the hospital's renowned burn unit when he was burned on 37 percent of his body after a backyard brush fire.

And, more poignantly, Wishard Health Services employees have stepped up and have donated approximately $2.2 million to the Eskenazi Health Foundation. Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO and medical director of Eskenazi Health, shared with us how these employees, at every level, have come forward to join this effort. Their support speaks volumes about their commitment and dedication to the hospital's mission.

If you were to scan the faces of those at our gathering, nearly everyone present does not rely on Wishard as a safety net for their health care. Yet, everyone at some point in their lives could find themselves at Eskenazi Health for treatment, whether it's Midtown Community Mental Health, the trauma center, or preventative care.

Like Kevin Hipskind, they recognize that more than the county's underserved and uninsured are treated at the hospital. It's where Indiana's finest medical minds are trained through IU Medical School. It's where administrators from Eskenazi Health, the medical school, Regenstrief Institute and Purdue College of Pharmacy will be located together for the first time in a building named in honor of Fifth Third. And, it's where members of our community - from all walks of life - will join together in a profound and meaningful way to make life better for the people of our city.

-Mary Beth Fehribach

Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Jim Miner, chairman of the H&H Board of Trustees; Dr. David Crabb, H&H Board of Trustees member ; Dr. Lisa Harris; Ernie Vargo; Peggy Miner.