Graded Discussion 4 Option 2

Impairment is concerned with abnormalities in the structure or functioning of the body

or its parts, disability with the performance of activities and handicap with the broader social and
psychological consequences of living with impairment and disability (Scambler, 2008, p.86).
Growing up, the word handicap was always used as a synonym for impairment and disability
even though the three words have different meanings. As I matured, I realized that this was only
the common sense language. Many persons may be impaired but not disabled or handicapped
while some persons might be classified under all three.
A plausible human example to explain the relationship between impairment, disability
and handicap is a person born with a birth defect such as a cleft lip; this would be impaired. This
person would not be disabled as the cleft lip would not prevent him from carrying out activities
in his daily life. However, he may be handicapped by this birth defect in that social attitude
towards physical attractiveness may lower his self esteem and eventually he may have problems
forming a romantic relationship. This example illustrates that impairment may lead to a
handicap even if there is no disability.

Reference:
Scambler, G. (2008). Sociology as Applied to Medicine (6th Ed.) (pp 86-87). London UK