I never really thought that one word could make me so angry. My stomach was in knots and it felt like there was fire shooting through my veins. I got up, did not even look at his face, and walked up the stairs. I pretended that each step was his face, stomping on each one to try and imagine him hurting from the impact of my foot just as the impact of his words hurt Joseph. Joseph never did anything to him. He is the nicest most innocent person in my family. The only question that I wanted answered was why? Why would you ever say that?

Joseph was 17 (at the time), he is the youngest son of my Godparents. I think of him as a family member because we are so close. He is loving and energetic and always knows how to have fun. Every time I walk into his house I see a big smile on his face and he asks how I have been doing. I remember the first time I sat down with him and watched a movie. He was there in the movie! He knew every line! He acted out every scene as if he was the star, which he is. He is known as “Buzz” (from “Toy Story) or “Spiderman”. He walks down the street with me as if he is shooting cobwebs and saving the day. In his backyard he has his own little “Buzz Lightyear Command Center”. It’s an old wooden swing set that’s beaten down but he looks at it like it’s brand new and has years left in it.

Joseph has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. It limits a person’s mental and/or physical capacity. Joseph’s parents don’t see this as a disability. His dad said once, “God must think I am special because he gave me Joseph.” Joseph’s family looks at him like a specially wrapped gift that opened their minds to many new things, which he did. He appreciates every little thing in life. So the fact that someone called Joseph a “retard” got me very upset.

Joseph’s energy and appreciation of the little things in life has helped me a lot. He can swing for hours and stills enjoys every minute. Its things like that that makes me appreciate the little things I have. Sometimes when I start to become ungrateful and selfish I just think about how I could use my old things in different ways so I can enjoy them more. One time when I was younger, I really wanted a water slide or a pool, but my parents didn’t want to buy either of them. I just thought about how I could make one myself. So I took out the hose, turned it on, spread out a piece of tarp and wet it. My brother and I were outside for hours! Our skin looked so wrinkled from the water I don’t think even a prune could look worse. We still talk about how much fun it was instead of a regular pool or water slide. Because of Joseph, I have learned to appreciate many things I might have otherwise overlooked. I just can’t understand why someone would call him “retard”.

I want everyone to think about this word and try to form a sentence that uses it in a positive way.

Did you think of one? No? Because it can’t be used in a positive way. The definition of retard is to delay or hold back in terms of progress or development. The route of the word comes from the Latin word retardare (from re- ‘back’ + tardus ‘slow’). Next time you think about using the word retarded in a sentence think about Joseph.