I am relatively new to the CAH family.  My son is just 10 months old.  I have been reading the postings about the term “intersex” and whether it appropriately applies to our children.  I guess like everyone else I have my on opinion on whether I like the word or agree with its usage in regards to CAH.

I have also always believed that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and nobody has the right to tell you your opinion is wrong or theirs is more right than yours is.  However, I am not so naïve to think that people will continually try to persuade other people to their opinion.

I understand that “intersex” is just a word but my concern with using the labels to describe one or more sets of people is that throughout human history, the human race has used labels to categorize whole populations of people.  And I believe that throughout history this practice has been harmful to those who are categorized using the particular label.  I believe generally those who use global generalizations and labels are people who happen to be ignorant of the topic upon which they speak.  Now again this is just my opinion and anyone is welcome to disagree with me.

I also think that groups in society use labels to define people or things that the group sees as different or out of the ordinary.  Sometimes labels are even used to define someone or something that is to be feared.  I know that CAH is relatively new in the medical knowledge realm…but there are a lot of people out there (including medical personnel) that don’t know very much about it.  As far as I am concerned, my son and others who have CAH are human beings.  After all, aren’t we all?

Webster’s dictionary defines “intersex” as an abnormal individual having characteristics intermediate between those of male and female.  Now maybe the information I have been reading and gathering isn’t correct but I don’t think my son or anyone else with CAH or another genetic disorder for that matter is abnormal.  I also interpret the definition of “intersex” as having not only the characteristics but also sexual organs of both sexes.  But again this is just my opinion.  I have also been told that CAH is not a sexual problem but rather is a body chemistry disorder.

I hope that I am able to raise my son to have compassion for other people and not to judge someone based upon their beliefs, how he/she looks, talks, etc.  And most especially not to base someone who has a condition that was absolutely no fault of his own but something that happened because of genes.

I also hope that I haven't offended anyone or have tried to convince anybody out there that their opinion is incorrect.  If I have I apologize!