Spread the Word to End the Word

I’m going to take a break from my usual blog about, well, basically nothing really earth shattering ever to bring up awareness about something that is important to some very extraordinary people and me.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” I remember yelling that out as a little kid from the top of my lungs in my friend’s backyard when we’d call each other names. But the truth is, names can indeed hurt and we all know that. 

In 2004, athletes of the Special Olympics requested that the term “mental retardation” be changed to “intellectual disabilities." In 2008 an Internet campaign started by the Special Olympics called “Spread the Word to End the Word” began as an awareness campaign to educate people about how the R-word really can sting, hurt someone’s self esteem and offend people, some of whom can’t defend themselves because of their disability. March 6 is the Special Olympics annual day of awareness.  

“When (people) were originally introduced, the terms 'mental retardation' or 'mentally retarded' were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, 'retard' and 'retarded' have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities," reads the Spread the Word campaing. "Additionally, when 'retard' and 'retarded' are used as synonyms for 'dumb' or 'stupid' by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.” 

When I was younger, I remember using that word to insult people. I fully admit it. I didn’t realize how hurtful it was nor did I really care. I didn’t know anyone with mental disabilities, so what was the big deal? Besides, I didn’t really mean it.

Then I started teaching. It is where my eyes were opened to these remarkable human beings, and where I realized how ashamed I was for being so ignorant and inconsiderate of my past language. 

I must admit, in my first year of teaching, I was nervous having special needs students in my general music classroom. How does one treat a person with special needs? How does one communicate with a person with special needs? Yes, I took the classes in college, but now this is real life. 

I observed the other teachers and classroom aides in my school. They were talking to the special needs students as if they were… they were… normal! They laughed, joked and disciplined; they had expectations for these kids – just like everyone else! These kids weren’t “different," they weren’t “unusual" and they weren’t “odd.” They were – kids. They wanted to be treated as kids, not someone labeled with intellectual disabilites. They had needs that, of course, needed to be met outside of the “mainstream” classroom, but they were 9- 10- and 11-year-olds wanting to be 9- 10- and 11-year-olds and nothing else. 

Needless to say, I was a quick study and I learned from the best. A nice thing about the inclusion classrooms is that the “mainstream” students get to know the students with special needs and grow up with them. They learn tolerance, compassion, and acceptance. Special needs students aren’t different at all, they’re part of the student body, along with everyone else.  

Please remember, children and adults with intellectual disabilities have challenges in life that many can't even imagine. They have obstacles to overcome over things that most take for granted. But ultimately, they are people, human beings, with a heart and a soul and emotions and love to give. All they ask is RESPECT in return.

If you do use the “R-word” out of habit, to be funny or because you think it is no big deal and then read this article, think twice about it. Remember, the word R-word is now used synonymously with “dumb” or “stupid” when it originally started out as a clinical term for “mental retardation," people who have mental disabilities, something that is beyond anyone’s control. It is not funny and it does hurt. Think of parents or relatives of children and loved ones with special needs and how it must affect them. It is time to stop being so careless and insensitive with our language and to educate our youth that being respectful and caring is actually a wonderful thing.     

March is also “Music in our Schools” month. In music, we have the term “Ritard.” or “Ritardando." It is a direction to “slow the music down." The performer then reduces the speed of music and gets a chance to take some time and play or sing with expression and emotion. He or she can add color and depth to the sound and give the piece of music a dimension to it that the listener can take in, absorb and really enjoy to the fullest. What a lovely form of communication. Such a beautiful term.

Take the pledge! It’s easy and its free! Go to: http://www.r-word.org/r-word-pledge.aspx

“I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.”