Stop, Think, Speak! (The R-Word)

That's so retarded. What a retard. You're such a tard. STOP, THINK, SPEAK! Amazing how one word can hurt so many.  Take the pledge, help change things.

As most of you know, I am the mother to a son that happens to have Down syndrome. Eian changed my life in many, many ways. Let's go back to my early school days. I am just as guilty as many for using the word retard/retarded. My mom is a nurse and at one point (I don't remember my age) became the head nurse for our local Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDS) group. I spent many days with her at work. I got to know the wonderful individuals. They were people just like you and me, they just happen to have something called a disability. Not long after one of the girls that worked with my mom in the office had a baby girl that also happened to have Down syndrome. I remember meeting Austyn in the grocery store. This adorable little girl sitting in the front of the cart. I think at that point I was instantly drawn to Down syndrome. I then saw Chandler in his daddy's ad in the paper for his construction company and I just wanted to have him. 

(Austyn, Taylor(Chandler's little sister), Chandler & Eian)

Buddy Walk 2008

See I'm leading up to my own time working with DDS. Shortly after Alex was born I had to get a job. I was 21 with a new baby and bills to pay. I went to work for DDS doing respite care. I provided respite care for Justin, he was just like a brother to me. I had know him since he was a little thing, as our moms were friends. He has cerebral palsy and was in a wheel chair. He was just going into high school. My job was to pick him up from school, help him with whatever he need till time to put him in bed, while his mom worked. We had a very close bond and very got in trouble together a few times. I worked with him for on and off for 4 years. Had Eian during the 4 years. Justin loved both boys (and now all 3) they are his nephews. I even went to the Military Ball with him for JROTC.

My point to all this is I believe I was just being prepped to be Eian's mommy.

When he was born and we finally got the official diagnoses of DS (6 weeks later and don't get me started on that.) I jumped right into getting appointments, therapies etc set up for him. I already knew what I was in for with IEPs and how some people viewed special needs. I then stepped up and made it my mission to educate all that I could. My son has Down syndrome. Down syndrome does not have him.

(First time holding Eian after my c-section)

So back to the topic at hand, the R-word. It was originally a medical term giving to people with special needs.

Mental Retardation-subaverage intellectual ability equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70 that is accompanied by significant deficits in abilities (as in communication or self-care) necessary for independent daily functioning, is present from birth or infancy, and is manifested especially by delayed or abnormal development, by learning difficulties, and by problems in social adjustment.

At some point it was turned in to a slur to insult people. It has to be stopped, words hurt.

The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It's offensive. It's derogatory.

Our campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people.  Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions.  Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.-From r-word.org.

The new r-word is RESPECT! Everyone deserves RESPECT!

With that I'm closing up, thank you all for reading.