Abasiophilia

A term first used by Dr Money of the Johns Hopkins University to describe paraphilia associated with attraction to disabled people and their appliances. Defined as "A paraphilia of the eligibilic/stigmatic type in which sexuoerotic arousal and facilitation or attainment of orgasm are responsive to and contingent on the partner being lame, with a limp, or crippled [from Greek, abasios lameness + -philia]."

Autoabasiophilia

The reciprocal paraphilic condition to abasiophilia. The individual him/herself needs to be lame, with a limp, or crippled to achieve arousal.

Paraphilia

A condition occurring in men and women of being compulsively responsive to and obligatively dependent upon an unusual and personally or socially unacceptable stimulus, perceived or in the imagery of fantasy, for optimal initiation and maintenance of erotosexual arousal and the facilitation or attainment of orgasm [from Greek, para-, altered + -philia].

A term used to describe behaviour (usually sexual) that is beyond the normal when judged by social norms.

Paraphilia is often treated with psychotherapy, anti-depressive medications, and medications that alter hormones, particularly testosterone (the male sex hormone).

ES (or EB)

Electronic surgery (or bracing). Image electronically modified to show non-disabled person with legbraces.

LDW

Legbrace devotee wannabe.

Admirer

Someone with a high degree of admiration and respect for a disabled person. In this context, it is not at the stage of an obsession. Behaviour would be considered fully acceptable by the norms of society.

Devotee

Someone highly attracted to, fascinated by, or obsessed with, people with a physical disability and their appliances. The degree of fascination is usually outside the control of the individual and attempts to counter it usually prove futile. Behaviour that, if public, might be of questionable acceptability by the norms of society at large.

Pretender

Someone who, at times, likes to pretend to be disabled but does not actually wish to become permanently disabled. Behaviour which would almost certainly be considered bizarre or unacceptable by the norms of society.

Wannabe

Someone who has an intense and overpowering desire to be physically disabled. Almost a "body image" problem not unlike that of gender dysphoria in which the person needs to be physically disabled to be "right". Most in everyday society would consider this behaviour downright weird, although to the wannabe it is all too real.

AFO

Ankle foot orthosis.

Caliper (or calliper)

UK term for leg-brace. Also term used in NZ and Australia. Alternative meaning is a measuring device.

KO

Knee orthosis

KAFO

Knee ankle foot orthosis.

HKAFO

Hip knee ankle foot orthosis.

Irons

Historical term used to describe AFOs or KAFOs, especially in the UK in the early and mid 20th century. Alternative meaning is as a restraint for prisoners ("put him in irons").

Leg-brace

An AFO, KAFO or HKAFO. Device used to provide support for paralysed limb.

Orthosis

An orthopaedic appliance.

Orthotist

Someone who makes and fits orthopaedic appliances (orthotics) such as leg-braces, spinal braces, or prosthetics.

Paraplegia

Paralysis with numbness and total loss of sensation and control of voluntary movement in the legs and lower body. It follows spinal cord injury or disease that disconnects the brain from its nerve supply to and from the body below.

Prosthesis (prosthetic)

An orthopaedic appliance to replace a missing limb or body part.

PPS

Post polio syndrome. Also known as LEP (late effects of polio). A recurrence of polio symptoms years after first having polio. Often accompanied by severe tiredness.

PWD

Person (people) with a disability

RGO

Reciprocal gait orthosis. A supportive frame/brace used to help mobility.