I am going to start this off by noting that I am not trying to criticize you but educate you on why you need to expand your vocabulary further than the hurtful word that seems to fall into your sentences.
“Retard” was first noted towards those with a development delay in 1895. Somehow almost every aspect of our world has revolutionized since then but our vocabulary hasn’t? Shame on us. This word was used as a medical term, those being “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded”, until a sweet little girl named Rosa and her tribe changed that for families all over the United States. The bill states that the two terms cannot be used in federal health, education and labor policies. The correct term now is “individual with intellectual disability”. But why do people with intellectual disabilities need to be seen with this label at all. Why are we still using a word that has the power to break down a beautiful soul and is hateful in every capacity?
Did you know that all over the world there are people who are passionately paving paths full of hope and opportunity for those with disabilities in order to give them the chance to do everything they ever aspire to do? There are multiple colleges’ offering programs with those who have intellectual disabilities to learn in an accepting environment that does everything in their power to prepare them to be out in the real world. There are also restaurants dedicated to hiring people with disabilities in order to give them a job and a way to earn money. Sunflower Bakery being one of them is dedicated to helping those with learning differences through professional on-the-job training. Another business, Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates is the restaurant that goes along with the nonprofit foundation, Every1 Can Work. They aren’t just looking to be a place that gives a job to someone with disabilities for a short time; they are dedicated to giving them a permanent job. 85% of people with disabilities were unemployed in 2010, but the key word is unemployed because what we seem to forget is that unemployed and unemployable are not synonymous. If you own a business, I am challenging you to try harder to hire someone with a disability because trust me they will change your life.
The R- word does not describe these glorious people that you carelessly put down with one word. I personally know this because of a big-hearted 11-year-old boy who changed my life by being born with an extra chromosome. He is light hearted and loves to laugh but he is also more stubborn than anyone I know. He loves to play video games, basketball and isn’t afraid to give you sass. He is full of life and love and one of the most accepting people I know. He is the epitome of the kind of person we should aspire to be, one who accepts everyone and loves those around him. While he is only one, there are people all around you that have disabilities, befriend them, love them, and ultimately, let them change your life.
Educate yourself, take the step to overcome the ignorance that clouts the thoughts that come to mind when one brings up those with disabilities. Think before you use the R-Word and don’t be afraid to educate those around you when they do. Be the change. Spread the word to end the word.
