“Cripple” seems to mebe a clean word, straightforward, and precise”. precise.” Nancy Mairs, who has multiple sclerosis, says this to give us history of the word since she tends to use it a lot. She wants us to understand what that word means to give us a better understanding. She presents herself as a strong, confident woman who has accepted that she is a “cripple” through diction and irony.

Nancy Mairs applies diction to demonstrate her strength and confidence. For example, she includes “...want to be seen as a tough customer”customer.” She says this to demonstrate her strength in a society that perceives her as weak. She also repeats “I choose... I choose…”choose...” She repeats those words to emphasize that she has control over her identity, what she calls herself. She also uses irony to portray her strength and confidence. For example, she includes “As a cripple, I swagger”. swagger.” She says this because, regardless of her disability, she is still able to do what she needs to get done. She believes that her disability doesn’t define her capability on doing things. Nancy Mairs presents herself as a strong, confident woman who has accepted that she is a “cripple” through diction and irony.