The R Word

Anyone that knows me knows how much I hate this word and how much it hurts me to hear it. If you don't know why it is terrible and/or want to read a few things about why I hate it so much I have blogged about it a few times here, here and one of my favorites here.

There has been some media lately on this subject and recently a bill was passed to eliminate the term "retarded". (You can read about it here). I have mixed feelings (mostly good) about this that I plan to talk about in a later post.

This change is great news because I hate seeing the term "mentally retarded" all over Zach's education plans. See... Zach does not qualify for services because he has Down syndrome. Zach qualifies because he is considered mentally retarded. (now you see why I hate the word being used as slang?). Technically, someone is classified as "mentally retarded" based off of their IQ score yet Zach has never had an IQ test (could they even do an IQ test on a 6 year old? Any 6 year old?). So the fact that he is assumed "retarded" based off of his extra chromosome really sucks!


Here is where you can help. Don't use the word. Correct your peers when they use it. Don't let your children/nieces/nephews/siblings/cousins use it. I hope that in my lifetime the R word will be as unacceptable as the N word.


Here is one last article by John C McGinley (who has a son with Down syndrome) that is fantastic.

So there. Go. Read... and don't say I never taught you anything!

I leave you with one last video clip. 

Spread the word to end the word!