Spread The Word To End The Word

Today is Spread The Word To End Te Word Day.  A day specifically meant to raise awareness to the fact that the "r-word" is not appropriate and to end it's use.  It's no secret how I feel about the word and lately I've seen it pop up more and more on Facebook.  I've even confronted a few people about how hurtful it is.  Sometimes people truly don't realize and are apologetic, and other times, people just don't care, which is sad.  I've deleted a few *friends* recently, after I suggested that their use of the word "retard" or "retarded" was inappropriate as well as hurtful, just to be bashed and called oversensitive.  In my opinion, real friends don't use the r-word.


Many medical professionals still use this term, however I have started to see a transition to more appropriate terms, such as intellectual delays or disabilities.  I think that's a step in the right direction.  If the medical community can eliminate it, maybe there's hope that it will become used less overall.

I ask you to visit Spread The Word To End The Word and sign the pledge to eliminate the use of the word from every day speech and to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.  I also ask that you please share this with your friends and family.

Think of this face the next time you think about using the word or you see someone else use it.  Please make a difference and do your part to eliminate this awful word from society.

In case you need more reasons not to use it.  Take a look at this video.