I would never call myself a cripple or a crip because that is not what I am as I am a spastic or a spaz! For me, the medical meaning of cripple relates to a spinal injury or other physical impairment, especially one received after birth as people become crippled.

This may seen odd semantics but I do not relate well to crip culture as a self-oppression defence mechanism, but I do see myself more as someone with cerebral palsy rather than a disabled person and I personally feel Spaz is more positive than Crip.

I know I played “the Cockney Cripple” in I’m Spazticus but this was acting which is different from my own viewpoint. Language is a complex and wonderful thing to express ourselves especially now Blogs like this can deliver it to the world.  

If you like what I say, have a look at my website at http://www.simonstevens.com or follow me on twitter, @simonstevens74