This paper examines discourses about disability in Romania between the late nineteenth century and the beginning of World War I, with a focus on the military, philanthropic institutions, and medical institutions. Teasing out contradictions and divergencies among different historical actors with decision making power over disabled persons, the paper shows how the vocabulary for disability and thus public understanding of various forms of disability engendered a confusing set of assumptions about the relationship between these individuals and the able-bodied in society.