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They spent a couple of days on a farm of a very poor family, the story goes.

On the way home, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?"

"Oh, yeah."

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?"

The son replied, "I saw that we have one dog, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden, and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden, and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard, and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on, and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, and they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

It's remarkable how children can articulate their perspective of the world, consider people without prejudice and promptly voice their opinions openly.

The perception of disability can be viewed in a number of ways: as a curse for past crimes, a punishment from God, a cruel and uncertain future - you name it. Nearly every definition of disability I've found has negativity behind it. Finding words to convey that a person with a disability can be joyful has been an ongoing crusade for the disability community.

Many have tried to lump together people in the disability community, who have a diverse culture without bias: One can become a member anytime, anywhere, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation or wealth. In the blink of an eye you can be changed from a person who is easily described to someone creating confusion and anxiety.

Words have been tossed around the past 40 years, trying to give people with disabilities a label that is acceptable to all. So far, none have lasted more than a few years.

My first encounter with labels was in 1969, when I heard the word "cripple" used to describe me. Next came "invalid," "disadvantaged" and "wheelchair-bound," which generated feelings of doom.

Politically correct terminology came along, and words such as "handicapper," "PWD," "physically challenged," "disabled," "crip" and the sometimes-comical "gimp" came and went.

Young children are straightforward about their perspective on life and people. My favorite kid's comment is, "The lady in the wheelchair that can't walk" - pure, simple and direct.

I try to keep my perspective by taking a nonjudgmental attitude, being sincere and remembering the importance of empathy. Labels frequently lack all three.

MKee, a wheelchair user, is a freelance writer and producer. You can e-mail her at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.