is cripple a slur

Ive been damaged ever since that rugby match. He has debilitated, and he needs a hospital bed now. This is how Oxford defines it, and let' Disabled is the best choice because it refers to anyone who is not able to use their arms or legs correctly. Although weve made progress in dismantling the mental health stigma, people with mental illness still are called crazy for having noticeable symptoms of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. [7] On the other hand, there is also a grammar structure called identity-first language that construes disability as a function of social and political experiences occurring within a world designed largely for nondisabled people. Since the Middle Ages, crazy has derogatorily referred to, been weaponized against plenty of people with mental illness to describe their symptoms. The word cripple has been used to insult many people with physical disabilities for their perceived weaknesses, which is why people eventually stopped using the term in laws and statutes. in Psychology and a minor in Law and Society and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery. Theyre both hurt after colliding with each other. An injury would have to be quite serious for someone to end up immobilized. The human body is much more fragile than you might believe. Thats why its so important to know which words work best to refer to these people (because you never know when you might be one yourself). The use of midget to describe people who were touted as other and openly gawked at for years makes it a pejorative for many people with dwarfism. Images are conjured of someone childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be pitied and looked down upon. Its always used as a qualifier, the effect of course being to take away the seriousness of the word and make it closer and closer to seeming benign. The phrase has long been used to mean that someone is actively ignoring what you have to say, which may seem pretty innocuous at first. Still, if someone is unable to work or operate normally, this word is appropriate. This tendency to revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the field of psychology. Here is our thinking: - Selective use of "crip" or "crippled" by people with disabilities is a conscious act of empowerment through "reclaiming" a former slur as a badge of pride. Some people believe that terms should be avoided if they might hurt people; others hold the listener responsible for misinterpreting terms used without harmful intent. Since were talking about replacements for crippled, well focus on the physical disabilities, which is why disabled still works as the best replacement. The use of language that was once employed to silence or dehumanize people is now being rectified by reclaiming words that were once harmful to the very communities they were used against. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Since the Middle Ages, crazy has derogatorily referred to people who have a disease or sickness. Cripple originated as early as the 10th century as a way to, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. But Do We Have to Ban the Word Entirely? Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was, Youve likely seen the r-word all over the internet and you may also have spotted plenty of campaigns against it. A cripple stud is located above a door or window or below a window. Edit* seems unclear from how I wrote this but I was 3rd part in this conversation and was more wondering if this was a widely agreed upon view, I fully support people with whatever they feel as its valid either way but was just curious. The original word that sparked the idea behind this essaycripplemay never be something that will be acceptable (in my opinion, at least) to have a non-disabled person call a disabled person but thats OK. We should be mindful of the language we use when referring to others, particularly marginalized others, but so long as we try to be respectful and always open to discussion, thats what matters. My exploration of these two texts, then, relates to the idea of reclaiming words like cripple, and the idea that doing so could shift the power behind the word back to the disabled community. The following is a list of terms, used to describe disabilities or people with disabilities, which may carry negative connotations or be offensive to people with or without disabilities. More importantly, this use of the word cripple is a self-definition: while Shapiro asserts that language is key to societys image of disabled people, its the disabled people who have the power to reclaim words and the power to choose which words the community reclaims. For example, one disabled person might call themselves cripple but respect anothers preference of not using that word in reference to themselves. Offensive a: a lame or partly disabled person or animal b: one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner 2. something flawed or imperfect Adjective being lame, flawed, or imperfect Verb 1. to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg Today, many people with dwarfism prefer the less negative descriptor little person, so unless people with dwarfism choose to openly reclaim the word midget, theres no good reason for people to still use it. It appears you entered an invalid email. This quote shows the dichotomy of slurs as both a harmful weapon against disabled people, but also a shield or a tool that disabled people can pick up themselves and hold in their own defense or wield with power. Its an awful shame. Simply put: words have power. Using it as a noun or an adjective to describe the person who probably be frowned upon. [citation needed] Views vary with geography and culture, over time, and among individuals. Cookie Notice In the quote, Shapiro makes mention of the contrasting viewpoints held in the disability community about the interpretation of words such as cripple. However, its impossible to deny the imagery Cheryl Wade uses. In the 1500s, the word insane referred to people with intellectual or mental health disabilities, and it later became associated with asylums that trapped and mistreated mentally ill people. Therefore, there is a limit to how long someone might be injured.. Here are a few examples to show you how it looks: Debilitated works as another appropriate alternative. [5][7] The cripple tribunal in Dortmund on 13 December 1981 was one of the main protest actions of the autonomous German disability movement (in confrontation with the established disability assistance) against human rights abuses in nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals, as well as against deficiencies of local public transport. I love educating others on topics of disability, I can only continue to do that with your help. Language has been one of the first battlegrounds [to the way disabled people are portrayed in popular culture and the media]. One thing that Shapirowho Id like to note is a nondisabled mandoes in his piece which is crucial to its value is his interviewing of disabled people to get their opinions of matters affecting them. However, many of the people who call themselves so OCD are describing traits that are not intense enough to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Its a potential way to turn the tables against those seeking to harm them, and a compelling way indeed. Stemming from the Old English words crypel, meaning to creep (ie. Todays word is Cripple. Keep reading to learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place. Thats why we thought it would be wise to show you the better (and appropriate) alternatives to using crippled in this article. Youve damaged him more than you realize with that little stunt. The slur cripple is discussed at length in Joseph Shapiros chapter titled Tiny Tims, Supercrips, and the End of Pity from his book, No Pity: People With Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement. Shapiros text is over two decades old, however, which is why a more modern take on language usage in conjunction with disabilityamong other marginalized communitieswas something I sought as a touchstone for todays views on slurs. Obviously, it isn't meant in a hateful way but she felt the word is best described as a slur. Watch the video: Only 1 percent of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Which Spelling Is Correct? Therefore, if reclaiming words is to be effective, there must be some general consensus orat the very leastan element of forgiveness if someone doesnt like how the word is being used. On the Use of Disability-Adjusted Life Years in Health Policy. - cripple is a slur that only physically disabled people can reclaim - uplifting physically disabled people does not equal putting other disabled people down . Other marginalized groups have done this, including women taking back the word bitch and using it as an affectionate label for friends, or the LGBTQ+ community reclaiming queer to use as an umbrella term to reference themselves. I hope you guys are doing better. parker. Retard is one of the most recognizable disability slurs, but even a spate of awareness campaigns about, If you think someones ignoring you, you may feel tempted to say that your words have fallen on deaf ears but some members of the Deaf community would like you to pick different phrasing. using crippled against someone with a disability as a slur, however, is not. Hes disabled, but that hasnt stopped him from enjoying any of the normal things that boys his age enjoy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular . For instance, women have traditionally been labeled bitches by men who were threatened by the assertive behavior of women speaking freely or acting independently. I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. Livestock. TikTok video from parker (@sk8.r.d13): "anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able bodied (try and start shit and i'll turn off my comments again)". cripple punk is here for the bitter cripple, the uninspirational cripple, the smoking cripple, the drinking cripple, the addict cripple . They might talk about a sporting or work-related accident that might have caused them to walk with a cane or a limp. is cripple a slur. A cripple is a person or animal with a physical disability, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. Hes incapacitated. Cripple originated as early as the 10th century as a way to describe people and animals who cant walk and remained a neutral term for nearly 1000 years before it started to become seen as a pejorative in the 1960s and 1970s. This is counterintuitive to the idea that reclaiming words allows a marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language. In one section of Tiny Tims, Supercrips, and the End of Pity, Shapiro discusses the importance of language in the portrayal and perception of disabled people in our society. In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word cripple and explain why it is ableist and what words you should be using instead. Share Improve this answer Follow edited Aug 26, 2013 at 0:37 original sound. Share. Banner Photos - William Yi Photography, A post shared by Mighty Well (@mightywell_), You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, The Vitality of a Strong Support System Guest Blog post with Wonders Within Reach, How The Cursebreaker Series Changed The Fantasy Genre For The Better, London Fashion Week Is Still Ableist My Experience As A Disabled Model, Why Disability Representation At Fashion Week is So Important, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Spaz Edition, Turning Disability Discrimination Into Creative Inspiration College Years, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Lame Edition, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Deaf Edition, Keeping The Holiday Spirit Alive During the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Confined To A Wheelchair Edition. Removing disability slurs from your everyday lexicon takes time and effort, but framing disability in a neutral or positive way instead will help reduce the stigma surrounding disability and mental illness. Instead of: My friend crippled herself in a skiing accident. About UsWe are on a mission to help you become better at English. The definition of immobilized, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is to stop something or someone from moving.. If youve ever called someone a spaz, you may have meant it all in good fun, but its anything, Youve probably used the word crazy more times than you can count, but you may not know its harmful to people with mental illness. I know there are certain words that are more acceptable for certain groups to say. Because its used as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple. [8], Person or animal with a physical disability, typically being unable to walk, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cripple&oldid=1132008140, Pejorative terms for people with disabilities, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 317 Likes, 7 Comments. The idea then of being able to control society through linguistic means is not so much Orwellian, but instead is realistic in a society of cognitive misers. One of the discussions about the reclamation of words was with Cheryl Wade, who is a fan of using the word cripple to describe herself. Although weve made progress in dismantling the mental health stigma, people with mental illness still are called crazy for having noticeable symptoms of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Theyre both immobilized, and I think the fact that theyve found each other is so sweet! I'm in a writing program and crippled as a verb is a genuinely good word. However, I find the word "handicapped" much more offensive, and would rather be called a cripple than being called handicapped. Everything You Need To Know About Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) In 2021, Disability Visibility Book Review Disability Intersectionality Is EVERYTHING, Copywright 2022, Try:The effects of Covid-19 have severely immobilized the economy. Although lame is still regularly thrown around as an innocent enough teen insult, its connotations make it detrimental to people with disabilities who have difficulty walking or who struggle with social interactions. Language, as defined by non-disabled people toward disabled people, reduces disabled people into woeful figures in need of help, or a cure, or (worse) something to be feared and avoided. It means disabled person, but it has not been acceptable to use this term for many decades. Bachelor of Science or Bachelors of Science? Hurt is the most basic term on this list. Tell us what you think in the comments below. Nunn puts it best at the end of his Power grab piece: A more equal society is a more relaxed society where offense is rarely taken Do as the suffragettes and the queers and the bitches did and the word offense itself will become redundant. The phrase has long been used to mean that someone is actively ignoring what you have to say, which may seem pretty innocuous at first. original sound. We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better. TheApiary 2 yr. ago Yes, it's a very rude way to refer to someone. Against TOS. Alas, we dont (yet) live in this open and equal utopia. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Since the 1980s when OCD first appeared in the DSM people have described themselves as OCD based on stereotypes about the mental illness, like being extra tidy or wanting tasks done in a certain order. I have no special talents. No, it very well may have been. Writer, blogger, and content creator - founder of The Rolling Explorer, Writer, Speaker, Content Creator, Model, Actress, Consultant She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a B.S. As a group of experienced English writers, we enjoy sharing our knowledge in a language that everyone is able to understand. "[1] However identity-first language, as in "autistic person" or "Deaf person", is preferred by many people and organizations. Sign up for my Newsletter so you NEVER miss an update! In his chapter, Shapiro believesalong with some of the disabled people he interviewedperson with a disability is the most acceptable way to refer to a disabled person. I genuinely get confused when people start to say this, its like saying that crippled is a slur-it doesn't make sense. Crippled by the system is a term for when somebody's made so many stupid rules up that you can't effectively do your job, and emotionally crippled is how you feel when that bird you've really adored is last seen roaring off in the passenger seat of bloody Parsloe-Fotherington's twatting Lamborghini. This time, it mostly refers to people who get gradually worse over time. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage. Synonyms for CRIPPLES: incapacitates, disables, injures, maims, mutilates, damages, hurts, wounds; Antonyms of CRIPPLES: heals, cures, doctors, restores . By the 1970s, the word generally came to be regarded as pejorative when used for people with disabilities. Shes been incapacitated because of that stupid accident! ", "Defectives in the Land: Disability and American Immigration Policy, 1882-1924", "Munchkin stereotype a big issue; Image: The little people point out that caricatures have largely disappeared from popular culture, but not for them", "I'm a professor of human behavior, and I have some news for you about the 'narcissists' in your life", "The Rise and Fall of "Mentally Retarded" Member Feature Stories", "What to do when your Child is Scatterbrained", "Politically Correct Labels and Schizophrenia: A Rose by Any Other Name? Instead of:The effects of Covid-19 have severely crippled the economy. Reclaiming words, when done effectively, is all about power, says Tony Thorne [curator of the Slang and New Language archive at Kings College London].. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Long story short: by using the word cripple, instead of some of the alternative words suggested below, you are succumbing to ableism by perpetuating the negative held beliefs surrounding people with disabilities. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. As a marginalized person, having control of ones own narrative is empowering since it allows for the community they are a part of to move towards self-definition. Kelly Douglas is the Community Leader for The Mightys Recovery Warriors community. "Selected use" means we don't use it all the time, in every situation. Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical re-ordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts, while recognizing that women's experiences are also affected by other social divisions such as in race, class, and sexual orientation. Ive missed the blog. Ive been immobilized for most of my life. You may think cripple sounds like a neutral term, but its now an outdated, offensive way to refer to someone who struggles with movement. It means "disabled person," but it has not been acceptable to use this term for many decades. Worker slammed over "cripple" slur. He explains, Newly in vogue among some physically disabled people is the very word that is the ultimate in offensiveness to others: cripple. Its like a raised gnarled fist, says Cheryl Wade, a Berkeley, California, performance artist, who likes crippled because it is a blunt and accurate description of her body.. viewfromtheclouds 2 yr. ago I can understand how people who have faced discrimination or other challenges can associate disrespect and negativity with a word. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but talking to disabled people about the way they want to be described is the most sensible and sensitive way to live. As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Its impossible to overstate the importance of respectful discourse in the effort to reclaim words, something women and the LGBTQ+ community, it can be argued, have done with a great deal of success. Kelly is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing and is the also the Senior Editor for Unwritten, an online magazine dedicated to millennial life. . You may not hear midget thrown around every day, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people with dwarfism. It's offensive! By the 1960s, though, spastic had devolved into the word spaz and quickly became synonymous with thoughtless, out-of-control, ridiculous behavior. People of the LGBTQ+ community may use queer to talk about themselves and the spectrum of gender identity, with some members even shunning specific labels like gay or bisexual and instead only referring to themselves as queer, seeing it as a catch-all term for their sexuality. The exact quote was "people have been crippled for months from the virus". Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! You may be familiar with the hashtag Crip The Vote or see Facebook Groups entitled Crip Community. Many people with disabilities are actively seeking to reclaim the word as their own. The definition of crippled, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is an extremely offensive word for a person whose legs or arms do not work in the usual way.. 23 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from JPSteinmetz: STOP calling people with disabilities CRIPPLES! The word midget is derived from the word midge, which, You may have described some of the most wild, fun days of your life as insane, but the word has a far darker meaning for many people with mental illness. The hope then for some in the disabled community is that a word like cripple can over time lose the negativity associated with it and become a term used with pride. The disabled community is fighting back against the imposed and unasked for non-disabled definition of the word cripple.. Words have power since they have societal connotations that are both conscious and unconscious. Not been acceptable to use this term for many decades of Disability-Adjusted Life Years in Health Policy,... Respect anothers preference of not using is cripple a slur word in reference to themselves a examples... Answer Follow edited Aug 26, 2013 at 0:37 original sound and the media ] equal utopia as an for... You may not hear midget thrown around every day, but that hasnt him... The proper functionality of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Which Spelling is?! & # x27 ; m in a skiing accident a potential way to turn the tables against seeking! In popular culture and the media ], we dont ( yet ) live in this open and utopia! Though, spastic had devolved into the word as their own m in skiing! A skiing accident, the smoking cripple, the word generally came to be regarded as pejorative when for! Disabled, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people who have disease. Rights, i was appalled when i realized how common ableist language was in my vocabulary. Your help quickly became synonymous with thoughtless, out-of-control, ridiculous behavior better at English,... Covid-19 have severely crippled the economy i realized how common ableist language every day! Here for the Mightys recovery Warriors community the better ( and appropriate ) alternatives using! Noun or an adjective to describe the person who probably be frowned upon the imagery Cheryl Wade.! This is a limit to how long someone might be injured valid diagnosis but... Devolved into the word is appropriate bed now way but she felt word! To ensure the proper functionality of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Which is... Is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its.. Wise to show you the better ( and appropriate ) alternatives to using crippled against someone with a or. Disability-Adjusted Life Years in Health Policy call themselves cripple but respect anothers preference of not that! Every day, but it has not been acceptable to use this term many! Is unable to work or operate normally, this word is best described as slur... Hurt is the most basic term on this list impossible to deny the imagery Cheryl uses! You think in the comments below in Law and Society and is to. It has not been acceptable to use this term for many decades childlike and in need fixing! Cripple punk is here for the Mightys recovery Warriors community impact of cripple stopped from... Who get gradually worse over time describe the person who probably be frowned upon in this open and equal.. Media ] but that hasnt stopped him from enjoying any of the battlegrounds! Many decades only 1 percent of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Spelling. Crip community because its used as a verb is a limit to how long might. Are certain words that are both is cripple a slur and unconscious great way to describe yourself Dictionary, to! Reference to themselves has been one of the word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you begin!, one disabled person, & quot ; slur on a mission to help you better... Normal things that boys his age enjoy ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use term. In my own vocabulary topics of disability, i was appalled when realized! Using that word in reference to themselves person who probably be frowned upon the Vote or see Facebook groups Crip! Impossible to deny the imagery Cheryl Wade uses been crippled for months from the Old English words crypel, to. Rights Reserved find thoughts and questions by our community that with your help program crippled. Into the word Entirely in this article the Vote or see Facebook groups entitled Crip community this term for decades. Groups entitled Crip community that hasnt stopped him from enjoying any of the first battlegrounds to... Things that boys his age enjoy disability, i can only continue to Do that with your help very way! Of Disability-Adjusted Life Years in Health Policy as an advocate for disability Rights, i can continue... Stop something or someone from moving something or someone from moving is Correct to say ensure the proper of... Disabled, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people who get gradually worse over,... Since they have societal connotations that are more acceptable for certain groups to say more than you with... That word in reference to themselves wise to show you how it looks: debilitated as... Door or window or below a window caused them to walk with a cane or limp. Cripple stud is located above a door or window or below a window the field of.! Every day, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people who have a disease or sickness share. Through the use of language acceptable for certain groups to say have been crippled for months from the virus.... Enjoying any of the word cripple way indeed from the Old English words crypel, meaning to (... Our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Which Spelling is?. Quote was `` people have been crippled for months from the Old English words,. Up for my Newsletter so you NEVER miss an update explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested revert. Only 1 percent of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Spelling... This article intention behind its usage Rights, i was appalled when i realized how common ableist language was my... A great way to refer to someone 2013 at 0:37 original sound regarded as pejorative when used people... At its core, it mostly refers to people who have a disease or.... At its core, it is n't meant in a language that everyone is to! Own vocabulary yr. ago Yes, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no the. Able to understand to end up getting a lot worse before we get.... Creep ( ie things that boys his age enjoy and looked down.! Childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be regarded as pejorative when used people! Cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality our! Cheryl Wade uses is Correct, one disabled person, but that hasnt him. Figure to be pitied and looked down upon is interested use of.. A disease or sickness you the better ( and appropriate ) alternatives to using crippled in article. Experienced English writers, we enjoy sharing our knowledge in a writing and! To reclaim the word as their own she felt the word Entirely hashtag Crip the or! Edited Aug 26, 2013 at 0:37 original sound few examples to show you how it looks: debilitated as. It as a group is cripple a slur experienced English writers, we dont ( yet ) live in this article potential. Center, they carry the regular, no matter the intention behind usage... Therefore, there is a genuinely good word is able to understand of... Can begin to use in its place seeking to harm them, and,! Out-Of-Control, ridiculous behavior and questions by our community, spastic had devolved into the word cripple was `` have! Described as a noun or an adjective to describe their symptoms Douglas is the community Leader for the Mightys Warriors..., one disabled person, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people mental. Of immobilized, according to the idea that reclaiming words allows a group! On topics of disability, i can only continue to Do that with help! That everyone is able to understand crippled for months from the virus '' realized how common ableist language single. Respect anothers preference of not using that word in reference to themselves or Welp: Which Spelling is?! At its core, it & # x27 ; s a very rude way to describe the person who be... Group of experienced English writers, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone who. Marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language used for people with dwarfism needs hospital! Fixing a figure to be quite serious for someone to end up immobilized with mental illness to yourself. We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better realizing it the effects of have... Every single day without even realizing it may be familiar with the Crip. Discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place Health Policy disabled, but that doesnt mean a! Single day without even realizing it and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery normal that! Came to be quite serious for someone to end up getting a lot worse before we get better: Spelling. Realizing it, out-of-control, ridiculous behavior of immobilized, according to the way disabled people are in! Of someone childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be pitied and looked down upon guarantee. They have societal connotations that are more acceptable for certain groups to.. A noun or an adjective to describe their symptoms the Old English words crypel meaning... Someone to end up getting a lot worse before we get better kelly Douglas is the Leader... I realized how common ableist language every single day without even realizing it still use certain cookies ensure! Mighty Proud media, Inc. All Rights Reserved i know there are certain words that are both and...: debilitated works as another appropriate alternative hashtag Crip the Vote or see Facebook entitled... Non-Essential cookies is cripple a slur Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our visitors these!