So if I had a chance to redo high schoo knowing what I know now. Wow. I would have kept the same close group of friends that I had back then. Except Brad. He sucked. . I might have asked out a couple of girls instead of being so self-conscious about the fact that I didn't drive. I went to a private school so everybody was so spread out around the city that I had no clue how I would have been able to pick someone up and take them out. "Yeah let's get on the COTA bus and go out!!" I doubt many girls would've gone for that.
Something else I wouldn't change is my taste in music. Back in high school I was BIG into the 80's music. I loved a whole bunch of songs. I still remember how everytime I went with Brad to Zapzone he would play Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet. That is a great album that I'll have to buy sometime. Something else I might change is that I wouldn't have given Dave, @comsciguy82, Star Tropics. I gave him that old Nintendo game so long ago and NEVER got it back. Grrrrr. But he commented a couple days ago and I said to just keep it. It became a running joke between us.
Then there is Diane from Art Class. I lent her my original copies of Star Wars(The ones that hadn't been changed yet by George Lucas). I never got those back either. I kinda had a crush on her though so I never really called her on that. She was a Junior when I was a Freshman so there was that too.
Oh and I would've paid more attention in Algebra 2. Sorry Parch! He tried so hard to reach me and I just plain did not care about the subjects he was teaching. Poor guy.
I could go on with some other stuff, like how I was pretty much an outcast in high school and how that has helped to shape my view of the world all the way to today. I was, am, and always will be an outcast. I like it that way though.
Today's Schizable entry has to do with semantics, specifically the difference between using the terms 'Schizophrenic' and 'People with Schizophrenia'. I will be the first to acknowledge that the terms look very much the same, but there is a movement within communities of many diagnoses to use what is called Person First Language. I agree with this movement and here's why.
Medical Professionals, Nightly News Reporters and Professors of Abnormal Psychology all have used the term 'Schizophrenic' to identify someone with a disability on the Schizophrenia spectrum. I suppose when I think about it, it is just so much easier to remember someone by their diagnosis rather than anything else. This must have been the thinking of the very first person to ever use that term. "Dr. Hobart, Dan is ready to see you now." "Who the hell is that?" "The Schizophrenic." "Oh yes. Send him in."
So where did I learn about using person first language? Two places. The first was during the months after my initial diagnosis in group therapy. One of the girls in the group asked me if I referred to myself as Schizophrenic or as someone with Schizophrenia. I had no clue what the difference was so I answered the former. She just shook her head and a couple of people said to use person first language when referring to myself. They said that if I didn't, then no one else would either. The second person I learned this from is my little brother who works in the Autism Community. He is part of the reason why I read the Autisable blog. He says to refer to those children as 'Children with Special Needs' or as 'Children on the Autism Spectrum'. He's a pretty cool kid for a 24 year old.
I remember a Making A Difference report on the NBC Nightly News last year where one of the correspondents went to visit a factory that decided to begin hiring people with various disabilities. He said that the factory employs, "The Blind, The Deaf, Schizophrenics, among others...." Do you see the problem? He made his point by completely disregarding the individiual personalities of everyone in that room. So they happened to be blind. So they happened to be deaf. So they happened to have Schizophrenia. So what? They are people first. Their diagnosis should come second. Every single person in that factory has a story to tell and that report lumped them all together according to their disability.
Something that I've always known since first learning and accepting the concept of person first language is that any attorney worth his or her salt would be able to rattle me by simply asking the question, "Isn't it true you made this up? You are after all, a Schizophrenic." Oh my God would that get under my skin. There aren't many things I'd be willing to face contempt of court over, but fighting for the person first language with a defense attorney would be one of them. It may not be smart, but it would be the right thing to do.
Now I am fully aware that I can't be the Xanga policeman who goes around correcting every use of the word 'Schizophrenic'. But I'm also not going to just let it slide when I see it. If and when I see it I'll say something even if I get shouted down as has happened before and lost me two friends on here. I also call upon you either as a reader with any other kind of illness or especially if you are on the Schizophrenia spectrum, to stand up for your rights to be identified as a person first, and a diagnosis second. Now that you are aware, how will you react when it comes time to defend that right? Think about it.
Shadowrunner81(Dan)
If you would like to know more about my illness Here is the first Schizable blog post where I introduce you to it.
If you would like to know more about me outside of my illness Here is my introductory post.
Going to the Spaghetti Warehouse tonight to celebrate my little brother's 21st birthday. Gonna get me some 4 cheese ravioli. Do you have a Spaghetti Warehouse near where you live and, if so, what do you like to get to eat there?
So the second round of the NHL Playoffs start today so even though there are virtually no sports fans around here anymore, I decided to do a quick round up for all of you. The Penguins are out so who I want to win is up in the air right now.
Series: New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals 1. New York Rangers: They haven't won since 1994, but if they were to win then New York City would be the home of both the Lombardi Trophy(NFL) and Stanley Cup(NHL). Pittsburgh was the first to do it and I kinda hope it stays that way. Plus, they are from the Atlantic Division so I hate them.
2. Washington Capitals: They have never won a Stanley Cup and were swept out of their only appearance in the finals in the mid to late 90's. For a long time Alex Ovechkin(the Captain) was Sidney Crosby's rival for best player in the league, so I hate them. But they've never won before so I'll root for them in this series.
Prediction: Capitals in 7
Series: Philadelpha Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils 1. Philadelphia Flyers: They haven't won a Stanley Cup since the mid-70's. They knocked Pittsburgh out of they playoffs and so in a way I want them to win to validate the Penguins. BUT, they are from the Atlantic Division so I hate them.
2. New Jersey Devils: I've always liked Martin Brodeur(Goalie) and they've won, I think, 3 Stanley Cups with him in goal. But they are in the Atlantic Division so I hate them.
Prediction: Flyers in 6
Series: St. Louis Blues vs. Los Angelas Kings 1. St. Louis Blues: They have never won a Stanley Cup. Their coach Ken Hitchcock used to be the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and took them to their only Playoff appearance. I feel like if he had stayed around a couple more years the Blue Jackets could have been the #2 seed in the West and not the Blues. But, that didn't happen. They are from the same division as the Blue Jackets, the Central, so I hate them.
2. Los Angelas Kings: They have never won a Stanley Cup. This was the team that Wayne Gretzky was traded to back in the early 90's. They have never really been a big-time team beyond his time there. It's nice to see them in the playoffs and you know what? Those in Columbus who remember the game they played against the Blue Jackets where the clock stopped with 3 seconds left and it allowed the Kings to score the game winning goal might realize that they might not have been in the playoffs had it not been for that one incident. So I hate them.
Prediction: Blues in 5
Series: Phoenix Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators 1. Predators: They have never won a Stanley Cup. My Dad and Stepmom love Nashville because of the music(even though I think it sucks). Pekka Rinne OWNS the Blue Jackets. They just can't beat that guy. He is a fantastic goalie just about primed for a deep playoff run. But they are from the Central division so I hate them.
2. Coyotes: They have never won a Stanley Cup. I was a huge fan of the Coyotes back when Jeremy Roenick was still on the team. I own two of their jerseys. Here is the deal I will make with you. If they Coyotes make it to the Stanley Cup Final, I will make a Vlog showing off the jerseys and I will talk about my being a fan of the team. I like them. They can win it all if Mike Smith stays true to form.
True
. I might have asked out a couple of girls instead of being so self-conscious about the fact that I didn't drive. I went to a private school so everybody was so spread out around the city that I had no clue how I would have been able to pick someone up and take them out. "Yeah let's get on the COTA bus and go out!!" I doubt many girls would've gone for that. 
