There are two types of people: people that hatefully spread the word and those that spread the word to end the word. If you fall under the latter of the two groups, I encourage you to keep on being a light in the world. If you fall under the other category or wonder as to why we spread the word to end the word in the first place, here is why.

It is hurtful to a lot of people

When you use that insightful, demeaning term, not only does it hurt indivduals with special needs but it hurts their close acquaintances, friends and family. When that word is thrown around, in such slander, it makes me wonder about my autistic brother. Will those people ever respect him or see him as equal? There is not a single person on this earth that is better or less than the next. We are all created beautifully and equally. So next time you say that word, I would love for you to look my brother and me in the eyes while you speak down upon me and my family.

It fosters loneliness

Imagine you are on a bus in a foreign country traveling, and you are the only person that speaks English. Everyone else is different than you and is blatantly speaking about you, laughing, whispering derogatory things, and looking down on you. Tell me, what exactly is the difference for any other human being with special needs that hears the R-word while being in similar situations? Except they are in their own country, in their own state, in their city, in their school, in their neighborhood, or even in their own home. Think before you speak.

It ignores individuality

Everyone has special talents or abilities that they play in the world and in people's lives. Why downplay a special human life? Why hate your equals who want nothing but love from their fellow man? I cannot fathom the hate that is being output by people who feel entitled and have evil hearts. The CEO of The Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, said it best: “Words matter. People don't need to scoff at others to make a point. Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it."

The R-Word represents false assumption

I am not trying to say everyone who uses's the R-word said it to be intentionally hateful or look down upon others; however, even if it's meant as a joke, it spreads the idea that people who are cognitively impaired are either stupid or losers. That could not be further from the truth. I have met so many people with special needs and love them the same if not more than people who aren't. For people that use the word too much or too often, how is using the R-word any different than derogatory terms of those used by sexists, racists and bigots?

It's hard to understand and explain until you experience it yourself, and I think a lot of people out there just don't realize why. There is already a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding about people with cognitive impairments, and this is one small thing we can do to help. This is something that I, along with hundreds of thousands of others, feel very strongly about. Spreading the word to end the word is something that must be done. I hope you understand now what ending the R-word actually means. It is about seeing a person as a person, for what they really are and how they can contribute in life.