We teach our children that they should never say the “F” word. We teach them that it is disrespectful, hurtful and derogatory to say the “N” word. We would never tell our children that it is okay to use any racial slurs. However, many young children commonly use the word retarded when joking with their friends, and their parents sit by and say nothing. Parents should explain the meaning of that word, and explain to their children why it is so offensive to many people. The “R” word is to a person with a disability as the “N” word is to an African American. That word should not be used. Intellectual disability or developmental disability are much more respectful words.
Disability is a natural part of life. Everyone's life! If you are a person without a disability, you need to realize, you are only one car accident, stroke, fall, or tragedy away from being a person with a disability. If the day comes that you should need to use a wheelchair, or you loose the ability to speak, see or hear, you would still want to be treated with respect. Would you like to be called a retard? Even those with very significant disabilities, those who have trouble communicating, often can understand what is being said to them. They feel sadness, anger, and pain just like anyone else. We need to treat everyone as a person first and look at their disability second.
Rosa's Law was signed by President Obama in October 2010. This law will change the words “mental retardation” (MR) in federal law, to “intellectual disability”(ID). Governor Joe Manchin signed a similar law in West Virginia, that will stop the use of this word in all future documents in the state. Now that we have the law on our side, we need to educate the general public about this hurtful word. Remember, every person with a disability is also someones child, parent, sibling or friend.
Think before you speak!
Written by:
The members of People First of Morgantown
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