Differently abled describes a person who is normal but with a range of differing abilities, which essentially, is everyone.

I'm looking for words to describe a forum I intend to set up for people with disabilities, their families and friends. It's actually extremely difficult to find words which are fully inclusive, not laboured and not offensive. I understand your argument for differently abled, but there are so many differing viewpoints on this topic.

The totalitarian patriarch in power (acted out by Paula Bennett) will aggressively attack and lie without blinking. It looks like it becomes second nature ( her conditioning) to act in an unreceptive and hostile way.

Yes, and she's only one prominent example. You'll get "Black is white" statements from MOH, DHB and NASC personnel whose power to make decisions over your life is virtually unassailable.

You survived; BDB Inc, like me I suspect you are stronger in many ways than before.

Deficient and delinquent politicians, we has them.

we most certainly do, and inexorably we return to politics. BDB Inc, like many others, has had a torturous experience at the hands of the medical establishment, and his/her complaint has not been heard and addressed. It isn't much to ask.

If in fact the HDC is powerless to act, there should be an alternative. Unfortunately the standard alternatives are direct complaints to the DHB concerned or the MOH, and also unlikely to be heard or acted on.

Well said, BDB. That's a nutshell description of the problems with labelling.