The Reporter identified the 75-year-old victim of a car-pedestrian accident as “elderly” (Oct. 14).

I am 76 years old. I sing in a large church choir, I am a regular substitute teacher, I am president of my homeowners’ association, I serve on the governing board of my church. One thing I am not is “elderly.”

It’s time to stop labeling people based only on the number of years they have lived. As a problem this is not up there with racism, sexism and homophobia. Still, it is condescending and demeaning.

Lowell Hagan

Bellevue