Point Pleasant Middle School Student On A Mission To End The Use Of The 'R' Word

Thirteen-year-old Will Herrington and his family are proud of older bother Ryan, who has Down Syndrome.

So they are naturally upset whenever someone around them uses the ”R” word.

Will’s older brothers Daniel and Owen spearheaded a successful ”Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign at Point Pleasant Borough High School. Will, 13, was so inspired he decided to do a similar campaign at Memorial Middle School to coincide with the March 4 Spread the Word movement’s national day of awareness, according to a story on the school district’s website.

Spread the Word to End the Word is a national movement aimed at eradicating the derogatory use of the hurtful R-word. The movement began in 2009 at the Special Olympic World Winter Games, the movement is a call to action, designed to, shift perceptions about people with intellectual disabilities; recognize the contributions people with intellectual disabilities make to communities around the world; and promote inclusion and acceptance among all people.

Ryan Herrington has spoken to students during school assemblies.

“Having had the opportunity to get to know Ryan Herrington and having been in the audience during one of his presentations he has given at our schools and to our Board of Education, and knowing what a dynamic and engaging young man he is, I can definitively say that there is no place for the r-word in our collective vocabulary,” Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith said.

To read Will’s story, click here:

http://www.pointpleasant.k12.nj.us/Windows/MMS/Pledge15.htm