Tuesday March 31st is a very important date. It is the day designated to Spread the Word to End the Word. The R-Word.
****WARNING****
I'm on my little soapbox but this is SO important to me and to others out there.
Special Olympics is an organization that is very close to my heart and has been for many years.
The R- word is the word retard. I have to tell you that it is a very difficult word to even type.
I can also tell you first hand, that having a child that has "worn" that label for years has been tough.
Especially for him.
What has been interesting to me, is the fact that children didn't seem to consider someone with
intellectual disabilities all that different, but many adults did. It was almost as if it was
"contagious" and should be avoided at all costs.
Words have so much power. They can make someone feel great or totally destroy someone.
The R-word is a word filled with hate and how sad is that?
There are so many words filled with hate. I was in line at the grocery store the other day and a
darling child was sitting in the cart. She was probably 3 years old at most. She pointed to a
magazine that had a prominent couple on the cover and what came out of her mouth was pure
hate. This was coming from a child that obviously didn't even know what she was saying but she
had heard those words before. This innocent child was picking up words of hate and didn't even
know it. Very, very sad. This is our future.
I so admire what Special Olympics has done over the years and what they are trying to do with
this day of awareness.
God Bless them for trying to make a difference.
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10 comments:
Really? I didn't think anyone used this word any more. Guess there will always be people who will no matter what. They are the ones who have NO class.
Hugs
Joanne
What a nice post! You know, when I was a little girl my Mother was one of the ladies who ran a little church organization for the mentally challenged children in the community of our faith. I remember one day a child came out of the car his Mom had dropped him off out of and he came running up to his "like minded" friends in tears! When they asked him what was wrong he said, "My brother called me a (the R word)". He was so hurt! They do KNOW and UNDERSTAND the demeaning meaning of that word! They may be mentally challenged, but they're NOT stupid!!! I will never forget that day! Back then, it was still "acceptable" to use that word and from that day on I did my best to refrain from using it. I saw the hurt and pain on that child's face and I know it stung him to his very core. I don't ever want to do that to any human being, ever!
I agree.
My daughter and I always say that people have had no training.
I continue to pray for you and your family. Thank you for all of your prayers. luv ya, Trish
People can be so cruel. It just amazes me sometimes. I hope your son is doing better. I continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Thanks you for getting the word out!
Hi Barb! Now this is strange; I commented on this post the day it came out, and I do not see my comment!!!! Thanks for coming by my place! I just wanted to let you know that you are always in my thoughts and I do hope that your darling boy continues to progress. He is an angel and you are blessed to have him in your life. God has given you an angel. Take care dear one! Anita
Oh....this post touches me because, even in this day and age when we have So much more knowledge available to us than ever before...people still toss this word around. It has been uttered in my very own family about my son. I have been in more than one argument with a family member that the word is not acceptable and no matter what they grew up with...times change. It amazes me that people have to put labels on everything...can't we all just "be" ?
Ok..climbing off my soapbox..ya know how this topic fires me up though...
love ya! angie
What a great post Barb! There needs to be so much more education out there and it starts at home! I taught Childrens Church for years and had a wonderful girl, Debbie, in my group. She was a true blessing to me and I was able to teach the other children my view on kindness towards Debbie. I will never forget her and the love she gave us. You and your son are always in my prayers!
Bisous, Sherry
Barb, I have posted your giveaway over on my blog. I am thrilled to be able to introduce some new readers to your blog. luv ya, Trish
As an ex teacher of children with special needs I am horrified that there is still this stigma. Teachers work tirelessly to promote integration and acceptance.We have so much more knowledge nowadays, thanks to media, and everyone should be thoughtful.
Glad you got on the soapbox!
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