Defining Disabled

In “Boutique Disabilities, and Real Ones” (Commentary, Jan. 8) Bill Bolte does an appalling disservice to the thousands of people who suffer from disabling conditions that aren’t physically visible. His “my handicap is more important than yours” mentality serves to drive a wedge between all segments of the disabled community.

Speaking as someone who has suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder all of her life, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to listen to people tell me “it’s all in my head.” Having to listen to it from someone who is himself handicapped, and who has struggled for the accommodation and recognition of his own particular disability, is inexcusable.

I’m sorry, but just because Bolte dismisses an entire segment of the disabled population as not “truly” handicapped doesn’t make it so--it just makes him as wrong as those he protested against when he was demanding his rights.

ELIZABETH ZIEMBA-SCACCIANOCE

Winnetka

* You cannot see what is wrong with a mentally disabled person, so out of fear or distaste we are lumped into the classification of insane, lunatic or crazy. But different parts of the mind break down, resulting in a variety of erratic behaviors that do not live up to social standards for survival. We are placed in mental wards for protection from you rather than going out on a violent rampage if released as portrayed.

Disabled people fought for our access to buses because with epilepsy and other conditions, the state took my driver’s license away for life. However, lately I’ve been assaulted three times while aboard and it was also stated while in low-rent areas we feed off one another’s emotional disabilities. I was attacked by gangs twice. Finally I’m classified as a neurotic and doctors say I’m a “slow one.” I come from a locked mental ward and had a brother and sister with similar qualities that did not survive. So quit demanding we live up to your expectations.

JOHN WARREN

Los Angeles