Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Spread the Word to End The Word ("R" Word)

 

raymay52

 

You have to see this inspiring message.  What a powerful tribute from a loving sister.

Bravo to you, loving, creative sister!

From Dictionary.com

re·tard  [ree-tahrd]   noun

1. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.  2. Slang: Disparaging a. a mentally retarded person  b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.

Ashamed   I’m sad to say that I grew up when saying that word was just a common phrase, like gross, bogue, yuck, silly, funny, weird, goofy, etc.  We used it not so much as name calling, but more as a descriptive word for something we didn’t like or couldn’t understand.  I admit to slipping occasionally when I'm with a childhood friend - the old lingo gushes out. 

Now I'm hyper-aware, I catch myself:

“that’s re-....uh...ridiculous."

It's a word most people say without realizing. They surely cannot understand how they hurt people with special needs, their friends and families.

Retard Reality  Everyone should realize that disability does not discriminate....rich, poor, ugly, beautiful, fat, skinny, kind, mean, funny, sad, brown, white, old, young.  It can appear from nowhere to touch your life, consume your family. It shows no mercy, and - unlike lightning - often strikes twice, thrice and more.

Disability barges in with fists flying to assault families with tears, heartache, despair, anxiety, confusion, struggles, exhaustion, isolation.

But disability also brings along a surprise treasure chest filled with smiles, joy, wonder, delight, pride, laughter, simplicity, beauty, growth, inspiration, knowledge, depth, hope and loads of love.

 

From Dictionary.com

re·tard  /rɪˈtɑrd,ˈritɑrd [ri-tahrd]

verb (used with object)  1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.

verb (used without object)  2. to be delayed

Retard the R-word   With a little faith and cultivation, we can help teach others to learn the correct meaning of retard (noun) and help to retard (verb) its misuse.

Let's turn that frown upside down.

 

Please spread the word to end the word.

Make your pledge now to STOP! 

Invite your friends.

http://r-word.org/

https://www.facebook.com/EndtheWord?ref=ts&sk=wall

Catch yourself before you think/say the R-word. Use my trick - instead say, “ridiculous”.  It fits without the hurt. 

Pass it along.