Do the mentally/physically challenged implicitly deserve my friendship?

[oktalist]

Yes, if a person has a condition that requires special concessions in order to integrate with society, then it is our duty to make said concessions. That's morality & ethics 101.

Oh! Here's an example of something similar that is acceptable: I don't like to date black chicks. I just don't find that skin tone pretty (generally). It's ok for me to not want to date a girl because she's black (an immutable quality she didn't choose), but somehow it's not ok for me to not want to hang out with some guy because he has ADHD/turrets and won't stop spitting or drumming his fingers.

That's sexual attraction. That's different.

You're allowed to not be sexually attracted to a person because they have a serious disability, just like you're allowed to not be sexually attracted to someone on the basis of skin colour. It's borderline taboo, but it's basically understandable and allowed. But you don't go around making light of the fact that your tastes are so discriminatory, because that's called being a dick.

You're not allowed to not want to hang out with a person on the basis of skin colour, just like you're not really allowed to not want to hang out with a person purely because they have an annoying disorder.

Also, turrets sounds like an awesome condition. I can see it now, guy with miniguns for hands. Would not want to get in a fight with a guy with turrets. But I think the condition you were thinking of is Tourette's.

He isn't saying that at all, I don't know but I assume that summerof2010 would happily hang out with someone with a disability if he liked them, but he is saying that he will not befriend these people out of pity because people believe that is the right thing to do.

Yes, the man with the awesome avatar has hit the nail on the head.

That's fine. But that's not what you said to begin with. And no reasonable person would expect you to befrient people simply out of pity, so you're really arguing against a strawman.

In my group of friends at school was a kid with Tourette's, and me (socially awkward), as well as several normals who were accepted by even the most discriminatory jocks. When we were younger, everything was cool. We could laugh at our friend's Tourette's in a kind way, not in a nasty way, and he played videogames and Warhammer and whatever else with us like any other kid, and it was all good. We were (and are) liked because we were (and are) awesome, not because people think they have to make an effort to like someone with such a condition. We could even poke a bit of fun, as long as we didn't take it too far; it wasn't that we were poking fun at him, we were poking fun at his condition, so he could join in because it pissed him off probably more than it annoyed us.

Then puberty struck, and everything became complicated. We both got quite badly bullied by one or two of the alphas in our group, and the Tourette's kid actually got thrown out of the group.

But now we are adults and we're all great friends, water under the bridge and all that jazz. You can hardly notice his Tourette's any more.

Sometimes social acceptance is all it takes to help a person shake off whatever disorder or awkwardness they're struggling with.

 

[GothmogII]

i would like to make it clear for the record, people with disability should not be treated differently, i my self never had special treatment as a kid, and im better for it. peer pressure is good for kids, kids who do not get much of it are much more likely to have social problems as a adult, same time you should not go out of your way to be ass hole ether. although it is good to still deal with them, but to make your opinions clear, a person can not learn if hes shut out completely, but a person cant learn if he has special treatment. as a kid people tolerated my presence, but did not put up with my bull shit. and through trial and error have become considerably more functioning than most.

Peer pressure is good for kids? Well, there's good and bad peer pressure. Good, is the kind of peer pressure that regulates how people interact with each other, that goes a ways to ensure we all aren't trying to murder each other all of the time.

Bad peer pressure is where a kid ends up dead from sniffing spray paint because his friends encouraged him on.

 

[sosolidshoe]

I take it nobody's planning on reading my wall'o'text explanation then? Good, just checking, you gents can all go back to bitching about how people with mental disorders "get away with" being annoying, hateful people.

 

[Unesh52]

You won't accept them? That's a broad and negative statement. I'd reword it unless you actually want misunderstanding.

Yeah you're right, I'll change it.

TLDNR

Do you feel like people with disorders/disabilities deserve special concessions in social groups, namely yours?

no, i my self am a lot less annoying than most aspies, manly because the people i hang out with gave me a lot of shit, its a fact that peer pressure is good for kids, in the long run, learning to deal with people makes you a lot more functioning adult. i have all my life lived with wolfs, neglected as a kid, and raised in a poor neighborhood, i had little traditional support for my needs. both in child hood, and as a adult, because of it, i am now much more well adjusted than most in socializing. although were i learn to swim, many sink.

i still have many issues, socializing that is, regardless on how much practice you had at hammering nails with a screw driver, it wont ever be as good as a hammer. but i have adapted well.

i also find socializing to be extremely exhausting, for me personally socializing is not a natural thing, but more a mental gymnastics, constantly thinking to make sure i do it well, in social settings of more than 5 people, i can become extremely tax mentally. and even in smaller groups over long periods of time, it will ware me down.

This is actually very intriguing. People with such a disorder really do have to do "mental gymnastics," just to seem normal. However, I would point out that just as a paraplegic would be a shitty track runner, people with social disorders simply suck at being easy to get along with. You don't give a wheelchair bound hopeless athlete a medal just because he might have been a good runner if he had legs, and you don't make friends with an obnoxious brat who's prone to violence just because he might be nice "on the inside."

They didn't choose to have their disability, so I don't really see why they should be hurt even further than they are.

I don't want them hurt. I just don't want to sacrifice my time, well being, and other relationships so I can take some such "less fortunate" by the hand and make it all better. Especially when it won't make it all better. Sometimes it just makes them feel happier in the best case, or patronized in the worst, and no matter what, I get almost nothing in return except headaches.

Pricks will be pricks regardless of intellectual capacity, race, gender, sexuality, whatever.

(If anyone's wondering, I've got Asperger's/autism. Legitimate too, I was diagnosed when I was 7.)

Did you edit something out? I was going to comment on something but I can't find it anymore... well, if you take it back, then w/e.

You may run into a situation where you have a group of friends who hang out with a SpEd person for his/her good qualities rather than the negative qualities that annoy you. Would you force your friends/family members to choose between the two of you?

It only becomes a problem if you discourage others in your social group from interacting with these people. Or, even worse, join a group that expressly avoids contact with a certain type of person. If you were to do that, then you're pretty much creating a supremacist group without the violence...

Another thing to consider is that abhorring someone for "more subtle disorders" can be a slippery slope. Where will you draw the line? A physical tick? A lisp? You could end up with a group of people that think, look, feel, and talk EXACTLY like you. If you wanted that, why not just talk to yourself?

I took it to its extreme, but you see what im getting at: if you draw the line at an annoying laugh, or a socially awkward person, you aren't giving yourself much room to work with in terms of diversity in friends.

But hey, maybe you like that one-mind pack mentality thing.

I wanted to comment on this earlier, but other things seemed more pertinent.

Firstly, yes, I hate those who will not only discriminate against people, but those who associate with those people as well. If I don't like someone, that's on me. That person can have as many friends as he wants, and I don't mind sharing my friends with him. That is, unless he's, for example, molested my girlfriend or some shit -- then I'd probably endeavor to see him die in a pit of loneliness and regret. I'm not beyond making enemies, I shouldn't think. There's just a difference between "don't like" and "hate."

Also, I don't think this type of discriminatory action is harmful. I'm not opposed to meeting new people, or sharing ideas with people of different ideologies. It's just that I'd like to reserve the right to not like you if you get on my tits. For whatever reason.

TLDNR

Ok, not really, but I only skimmed a few of the paragraphs. I honestly had no idea A.S. was... well, what it is. It does give me new sympathy for a few people I know. A little sympathy. But honestly, while it makes me sad to know why, it doesn't change facts. If a person is annoying because of his disorder, he's still annoying. As for the reactions people give, such as grimacing or being curt when the disordered person (I guess I can phrase it that way) says something offensive, they are natural and appropriate, and I think the proper impetus for the those with A.S to change. In other words, if people didn't show their displeasure with those behaviors, the person with A.S. wouldn't know or want to change. So I say live and let live, but don't let people get a free ride just because they have problems.

Also, thank you for giving me an appropriate way to abbreviate Aspergers.

While perhaps euphemic, simply saying that you can't/won't tackle the inherent problems of social interaction with them (a perfectly legitimate view) would probably be a better phrasing.

I love it. Says exactly what I mean.

Last one for now. Geez, I need to get on with it.

See the black girl thing above. Just because they can't change it doesn't mean it's suddenly alright. And though I may not have articulated it properly in the OP, I hope I've made it clear by now that I don't exclude people just because they're handicapped. I discriminate among people based on their qualities, all of them, regardless of their connection to physical or mental disability.

There's still more to say, but this is quite enough for now.

But that's just the thing: I don't believe that it is acceptable to not date a girl just because she's black.

Dude, honestly, I don't know how you have friends. It makes me angry just thinking about ever meeting you in person.

I just can't talk to people like you and not feel a little bit sick.

Dude, being black is an aesthetic quality, and aesthetics are important in dating. It's not the only important thing, but nonetheless. All I'm saying is that I usually don't like the way black girls look. I can think of all of one exception where a girl was genuinely dark skinned (not mellowed by a partly light skinned lineage) that I thought was pretty. I have friends because I don't hate everything, only some things. I dislike loud people and people who push their religious beliefs on others. I dislike people who don't bathe regularly. I also don't like people who do certain things (not all things) that are caused by certain disorders and disabilities. Like spontaneous yelling or being incomprehensible in conversation. I hate it when people make me feel guilty just for not wanting to be friends with these people; I hate that they justify guilt tripping me be saying "it's not their fault." I don't hate the disabled. I just don't want to have to have to like them -- "or else."

 

[Cronky]

.. I have ADHD/Tourettes/Aspergers.. So thanks for tellin' me that

"this is actually less of a problem for the truly disabled, who in my experience tend to be reserved and uninvolved outside of their usual circle of close friends, but is certainly a problem for those with the more subtle "disorders," like that aspergers thing or ADHD. People who, ironically, are utterly lacking in subtlety. People who are tactless. People who have irritating habits. People who simply can't seem to pick up on physiological and social hints that get most of us by. I don't like these people, but to suggest that in public (or God forbid I say to their face and someone catches wind!) and I get the fifth degree! I don't care if they're "nice people," or if "they don't really mean it," they're goddamn annoying and I will not be forced to like them by virtue of pity! I've even been told I just have to help them along and they're ok. Whatever. There happen to be plenty of folks that I don't have to make concessions for to talk to. It's not my responsibility to teach some idiot how to behave like a reasonable adult, nor do I have the patience or skill for it."

That's a very broad generalization.

You know normally I would just talk shit about you, but this is just sad that you have to think that all people with ADHD or Aspergers (Which is by the way spelled with a big A) are lacking subtlety and are tactless. so I'm gonna just leave this post knowing that atleast I'm not judging other people or being as stupid as you.

You took that quote pretty far out of context in comparison to what's been said throughout this thread. (To which he clarifies later. Though I understand why you'd just go with the first post)

Sure, in THIS quote he doesn't differentiate between the people who have it and are just fine socially, and those who aren't. It is assumed at this point though that this is what he means.

I think OP is right. Where as you should tolerate people with disabilities that pose a big negative to your perspective socially or physically. That does not mean that you have to invite them over for dinner, take them to a movie, or generally appease them with constant social involvement. It'd be nice, but not needed.

 

[Free Thinker]

I already have a phobia about being near the mentally disabled. People understand this about me and are actually kind enough to keep distance to a maximum, then the PC (Politically Correct) people, and all their apparent wisdom, put me into a corner by forcibly bringing them next to me and causing me to panic, and if not alleviated, shock.

 

[oktalist]

I dislike loud people and people who push their religious beliefs on others. I dislike people who don't bathe regularly. I also don't like people who do certain things (not all things) that are caused by certain disorders and disabilities. Like spontaneous yelling or being incomprehensible in conversation. I hate it when people make me feel guilty just for not wanting to be friends with these people; I hate that they justify guilt tripping me be saying "it's not their fault."

In my experience, such people do not exist.

Also, I have to obsessively quote Stewart Lee now: "That's odd: I've just compared having a religious belief, with being mentally handicapped. Which is obviously not appropriate. Even though it is correct."

I know exactly what you are trying to say, I hate to sound like a bigot, but I can't stand that disabled people are allowed to run around and say and do whatever they want and its just ok.

Its like that Family Guy episode where Peter found out he was retarded and walked into the woman's restroom and looked at women on the toilet. They screamed, he said he was retarded, and they went "awww =3".

I think it's more like the episode of South Park where Cartman learns what Tourette's is and realises that if he pretends to have it, he can get away with saying whatever he wants, but his plan backfires, with hilarious consequences.

 

[Unesh52]

Yes, if a person has a condition that requires special concessions in order to integrate with society, then it is our duty to make said concessions. That's morality & ethics 101.

Oh! Here's an example of something similar that is acceptable: I don't like to date black chicks. I just don't find that skin tone pretty (generally). It's ok for me to not want to date a girl because she's black (an immutable quality she didn't choose), but somehow it's not ok for me to not want to hang out with some guy because he has ADHD/turrets and won't stop spitting or drumming his fingers.

That's sexual attraction. That's different.

You're allowed to not be sexually attracted to a person because they have a serious disability, just like you're allowed to not be sexually attracted to someone on the basis of skin colour. It's borderline taboo, but it's basically understandable and allowed. But you don't go around making light of the fact that your tastes are so discriminatory, because that's called being a dick.

You're not allowed to not want to hang out with a person on the basis of skin colour, just like you're not really allowed to not want to hang out with a person purely because they have an annoying disorder.

Also, turrets sounds like an awesome condition. I can see it now, guy with miniguns for hands. Would not want to get in a fight with a guy with turrets. But I think the condition you were thinking of is Tourette's.

Hold the phone. I... er, ah, yeah Tourettes, right. The false sense of security that comes with spell check is a devil indeed. Anyway. I was making an analogy. Physical characteristics are important to sexual attraction just as basic personality traits and behaviors are important to social interactions. I have a sexual distaste for black girls, and a social distaste for people who spit compulsively or whatever.

He isn't saying that at all, I don't know but I assume that summerof2010 would happily hang out with someone with a disability if he liked them, but he is saying that he will not befriend these people out of pity because people believe that is the right thing to do.

Yes, the man with the awesome avatar has hit the nail on the head.

That's fine. But that's not what you said to begin with. And no reasonable person would expect you to befrient people simply out of pity, so you're really arguing against a strawman.

In my group of friends at school was a kid with Tourette's, and me (socially awkward), as well as several normals who were accepted by even the most discriminatory jocks. When we were younger, everything was cool. We could laugh at our friend's Tourette's in a kind way, not in a nasty way, and he played videogames and Warhammer and whatever else with us like any other kid, and it was all good. We were (and are) liked because we were (and are) awesome, not because people think they have to make an effort to like someone with such a condition. We could even poke a bit of fun, as long as we didn't take it too far; it wasn't that we were poking fun at him, we were poking fun at his condition, so he could join in because it pissed him off probably more than it annoyed us.

Then puberty struk, and everything became complicated. We both got quite badly bullied by one or two of the alphas in our group, and the Tourette's kid actually got thrown out of the group.

But now we are adults and we're all great friends, water under the bridge and all that jazz. You can hardly notice his Tourette's any more.

Sometimes social acceptance is all it takes to help a person shake off whatever disorder or awkwardness they're struggling with.

That's great, but obviously his symptoms don't bother you. Maybe they're not very extreme. I honestly don't think I would be that bothered by him, based on what you said. But if I was annoyed by it, I wouldn't want to be around him. I wouldn't, say, refuse to be in the room with him or something, but what's wrong with not wanting to be friends with someone who annoys you? He can have friends, but if I don't want to be one of them because something he does annoys me, then why should I be one?

You make it sound like I would pick on him or alienate him. I just want to not talk to him if he's annoying. And I don't want to made guilty about it just because the thing that annoys me "isn't his fault."

 

[The3rdEye]

I'm not really sure how this thread can end well but;

This is actually less of a problem for the truly disabled, who in my experience tend to be reserved and uninvolved outside of their usual circle of close friends, but is certainly a problem for those with the more subtle "disorders," like that aspergers thing or ADHD.

So as long as they stay in their little corner of the room and wear some kind of identification you're okay with it?

Some people are dicks, some people are annoying, some people are eternally optimistic and some people have developmental challenges. Nothing they can do about it. Is it some kind of "Get Out Of Jail Free" card that entitles them to special privileges? No, but they will have certain needs. No one deserves to be condemned or conspired against for something they have no control over, just accept that there are some people you won't get along with and move on. Fact is that they have to put up with their issues their entire life, where as self-professed "normal" people like the OP should just bite their tongue before they continue to advertise their own problems.

I will say this though; when you get stepped over for a promotion, when you find out your s/o is cheating on you, when those around you turn on you or betray you, when something goes wrong that actually matters, it's going to be someone from your inclusive group of "regular" people that will do it to you. So don't you have bigger things to worry about than some small minority of the population who really don't care about you anyway? Despite their warm smiles and accepting attitudes, I wonder what concessions are made for you and what is said when the "normal" one isn't around.

TLR

So what? There's no real topic for discussion here, all you're going to get is a series of opinions, which from the OP in the end won't change yours. Fine, you find it difficult to interact with the mentally of physically challenged. If you don't want to be a dick about it, say it politely and politely remove yourself from such situations. iow Suck it up buttercup and move along.

 

[Wardnath]

Pricks will be pricks regardless of intellectual capacity, race, gender, sexuality, whatever.

(If anyone's wondering, I've got Asperger's/autism. Legitimate too, I was diagnosed when I was 7.)

Did you edit something out? I was going to comment on something but I can't find it anymore... well, if you take it back, then w/e.

Yeah, I took it back. Wrong first impressions and shit like that. >_>

 

[oktalist]

Spoiler: Spoiler'd for space

In my group of friends at school was a kid with Tourette's, and me (socially awkward), as well as several normals who were accepted by even the most discriminatory jocks. When we were younger, everything was cool. We could laugh at our friend's Tourette's in a kind way, not in a nasty way, and he played videogames and Warhammer and whatever else with us like any other kid, and it was all good. We were (and are) liked because we were (and are) awesome, not because people think they have to make an effort to like someone with such a condition. We could even poke a bit of fun, as long as we didn't take it too far; it wasn't that we were poking fun at him, we were poking fun at his condition, so he could join in because it pissed him off probably more than it annoyed us.

Then puberty struk, and everything became complicated. We both got quite badly bullied by one or two of the alphas in our group, and the Tourette's kid actually got thrown out of the group.

But now we are adults and we're all great friends, water under the bridge and all that jazz. You can hardly notice his Tourette's any more.

That's great, but obviously his symptoms don't bother you. Maybe they're not very extreme. I honestly don't think I would be that bothered by him, based on what you said.

It was pretty bad, and it was annoying. Imagine having really bad hiccups all time. "Hup hup hup" all the fkin time, and quite loudly. It was annoying, and we said as much to his face, because we're all friends and we can say what we want, but in the end we put up with it. I'm not saying that everyone should have to put up with it, but you should at least be able to be in the same room as him without saying something disparaging. I guess we were just used to it, because we'd known him since infancy. Even some of the teachers didn't realise it was a serious thing, and thought he was just doing it intentionally to be disruptive, and punished him verbally; that's bad.

But if I was annoyed by it, I wouldn't want to be around him. I wouldn't, say, refuse to be in the room with him or something, but what's wrong with not wanting to be friends with someone who annoys you? He can have friends, but if I don't want to be one of them because something he does annoys me, then why should I be one?

Again, that's fine, but the way you worded your OP made it sound like you were saying something completely different.

You make it sound like I would pick on him or alienate him.

Sorry, that wasn't my intention.

And I don't want to made guilty about it just because the thing that annoys me "isn't his fault."

Fair enough, but you appear to be arguing against a point of view that doesn't really exist, so there's not really much discussion to be had.

 

[oktalist]

Hitler also had autism

There's no reason to suspect Hitler was autistic, besides a couple of poorly thought out speculative articles. The guy was very socially adept, and liked to surround himself with lots of different people, which is the complete opposite of autism. More likely he was simply your standard, common or garden sociopath.

proof of that is needed, if even so, despite hitlers many bad actions, he had good number of good ideas, as example i support control breeding, its a fact human genetics are going down hill. and i find breeding people of good genes is a beneficial thing to society, for example, steven hawking should be milked and his seed given to any women who would take it.

Then we would be a society of wheelchair-bound physics geniuses. We need a broader spectrum of different kinds of people in order to function as a society.

"It's a 'fact' human genetics are going downhill." What is your source for this assertion? You're talking about eugenics, which was used to justify the holocaust.

 

[Unesh52]

Fair enough, but you appear to be arguing against a point of view that doesn't really exist, so there's not really much discussion to be had.

I feel like I've been hearing this a lot, but if it weren't for people calling me intolerant, the topic never would've occurred to me. My girlfriend and I even got into a fight over this one completely impossible child. Well, he's our age, but calling him a child is honestly more appropriate. He's got immaturity boiled down to a science and he's the picture of tactlessness. E.g., he has called me away from important work on multiple occasions to show me the day care lady blurb for when he puts in his pokemon that have silly nicknames. And really, "Oh, your HORSEDICK is doing fine!" coming out of a little pixelated old lady is only funny once, tops. And, apparently responding to my offhand complaints about the lad, when he greets my little brother as the usher for one of our plays, he called him an asshole. Right in front of my mom. And yet, "it's not his fault!" Yes, these problems are directly linked to his disorder, however -- I. Don't. Care. He's awful. Even so, I'm not unduly harsh on him. I sure gave him a piece of my mind for calling my brother an asshole, but I don't bite his head off for such minor offenses as silly pokemon. But sometimes I think I should if it would make it clear to him that I don't appreciate his behavior.

The double point being that I have met plenty of people who will butt heads with me over this very topic, leading me to make the bold assertion that there might be as much disagreement on the forums, and that I'm not being unfair when I say that I'd rather people with irritating personality traits stopped wasting my time, regardless of the origin of these traits.

And btw, I find it maddeningly pretentious when people suggest there's "no discussion value" for a serious topic. The thread about a bacon and egg sandwich got like 50 replies before I stopped watching it. There is no lack of discussion for those willing to talk.

.. I have ADHD/Tourettes/Aspergers.. So thanks for tellin' me that

"this is actually less of a problem for the truly disabled, who in my experience tend to be reserved and uninvolved outside of their usual circle of close friends, but is certainly a problem for those with the more subtle "disorders," like that aspergers thing or ADHD. People who, ironically, are utterly lacking in subtlety. People who are tactless. People who have irritating habits. People who simply can't seem to pick up on physiological and social hints that get most of us by. I don't like these people, but to suggest that in public (or God forbid I say to their face and someone catches wind!) and I get the fifth degree! I don't care if they're "nice people," or if "they don't really mean it," they're goddamn annoying and I will not be forced to like them by virtue of pity! I've even been told I just have to help them along and they're ok. Whatever. There happen to be plenty of folks that I don't have to make concessions for to talk to. It's not my responsibility to teach some idiot how to behave like a reasonable adult, nor do I have the patience or skill for it."

That's a very broad generalization.

You know normally I would just talk shit about you, but this is just sad that you have to think that all people with ADHD or Aspergers (Which is by the way spelled with a big A) are lacking subtlety and are tactless. so I'm gonna just leave this post knowing that atleast I'm not judging other people or being as stupid as you.

Oi! I didn't mean... oh shit, that's exactly what it sounds like, isn't it? It was a poorly worded statement. You're right to criticize me for my lack of knowledge about Aspergers, however, I was aware that tactlessness was a very broad but clear symptom of such a disorder. I mean that a person with it tends to be unable to understand the situation well enough to show consideration for all involved... but I digress. I didn't mean to sound like I dislike all people with those disorders, but that if I don't like someone because of behaviors linked to those disorders, the fact that those people have them shouldn't stand as an excuse for their behavior. Not stand as an excuse in that I shouldn't be forced to be friendly to them; invite them out with me, include them in my social group, or forgive their outrageous behavior on principle. The "people" who I'm talking about are largely just the person who is described above. And my brother who I was complaining about, too, for the annoying habits bit.

You took that quote pretty far out of context in comparison to what's been said throughout this thread. (To which he clarifies later. Though I understand why you'd just go with the first post)

Sure, in THIS quote he doesn't differentiate between the people who have it and are just fine socially, and those who aren't. It is assumed at this point though that this is what he means.

I think OP is right. Where as you should tolerate people with disabilities that pose a big negative to your perspective socially or physically. That does not mean that you have to invite them over for dinner, take them to a movie, or generally appease them with constant social involvement. It'd be nice, but not needed.

This guy, er, but obviously you've seen that... anyway, I hope you don't still think I'm an ass.

I dislike loud people and people who push their religious beliefs on others. I dislike people who don't bathe regularly. I also don't like people who do certain things (not all things) that are caused by certain disorders and disabilities. Like spontaneous yelling or being incomprehensible in conversation. I hate it when people make me feel guilty just for not wanting to be friends with these people; I hate that they justify guilt tripping me be saying "it's not their fault."

In my experience, such people do not exist.

Lucky you, see above. Also note that my brother has (non-diagnosed, but he's treated as if it is) ADHD, and my mom is always ragging me to accept his constant drumming, jumping around, and inappropriate vocal outbursts. She loves to bring up how much harder it is for him to sit still than it is for me, but I just don't think that's any justification. It's still annoying, so I'm not just going to live with it. Why should I be forced to suffer for his comfort? (The obvious answer is because he's my brother, and I didn't mention this one before specifically because it's so much more complicated, as I live with him and he's family, so let's pretend that's not the case, yeah?) I'm told to just ignore it, to not complain about it, when if he were just a little less inclined to the "disorder," he'd be getting the switch.

Also, I have to obsessively quote Stewart Lee now: "That's odd: I've just compared having a religious belief, with being mentally handicapped. Which is obviously not appropriate. Even though it is correct."

I know exactly what you are trying to say, I hate to sound like a bigot, but I can't stand that disabled people are allowed to run around and say and do whatever they want and its just ok.

Its like that Family Guy episode where Peter found out he was retarded and walked into the woman's restroom and looked at women on the toilet. They screamed, he said he was retarded, and they went "awww =3".

I think it's more like the episode of South Park where Cartman learns what Tourette's is and realises that if he pretends to have it, he can get away with saying whatever he wants, but his plan backfires, with hilarious consequences.

Probably offensive quote (not to me, obviously) accepted. But thank you for reminding me of those parodies. I feel like I'm expected to be that woman in the stall, or Cartman's teachers. Just because there's a reason for it doesn't make it more appropriate.

[small](Disclaimer: No, I've never literally been asked to accept a mentally disabled person pepping in the bathroom or some such before, I'm just saying it's similar, on a much smaller scale. Just to avoid confusion.)[/small]