What is today?!

Today is March, 6th 2013

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD

Today is the annual day of awareness of the hurtful use of the R-word. By eliminating the word from your vocabulary, simply costs you nothing but compassion for those with developmental disabilities. A person with developmental disabilities feel "less than human" when people use the words "retard" or "retarded." The "R" word is offensive and derogatory. So I know you all can stop using the word and even make a pledge to stop using those words and inform others as well.  The 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. Go to http://www.r-word.org/ and in the upper right hand corner there is a button where you can click on that and make an online pledge!

Here is a story by Alexandra from Rhode Island, My brother is a hero to me, he just doesn't know it. My brother may look normal but has no speech and is very much mentally disabled. He has cerebellum hypaplasia; half the brain isn't developed. He is made fun of on a daily basis. He is 19 and at the point in life where he doesn't understand why he is the way he and wants to be "normal." We tell him it's the way God made him. My brother will never be able to have children, drive, be on his own or even have a job. Why does society have to make fun of disabled children and people in general when they have every chance in the world to do anything but make fun of a person who didn't ask to be that way. My brother has broken speech, no muscle in his tongue, very off balance, a doctor for every organ and part of his body. If I could be in his shoes I'd trade any day. The way society is, is horrible. We need to put a stop to bullying in general.

Just because today is the annual say of awareness of the hurtful use of the R-word, doesn't mean that it starts today and ends today. It just means that more people are aware of the word and how hurtful it can be. It starts with you, 

                        SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD for good!