Comments for The "r" Word Campaign

Comment on Stop Using It! by Deborah Bobell

Deborah Bobell — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:58:33 +0000

Out finding a dress for my beautiful 37 year old Down Syndrome daughter today, at a Bridal Store. Ours is a dress for a dance routine and recital, others shopping for home town Proms. Three high school girls(2 sisters and a friend) trying on dresses inthe room next to ours,(that we were invited to share with a sweet high schooler). Everyone of the young girls were polite and commenting on Marcy’s choices, then one of the girls next to us ask her mother to come help her get out of her dress. Mothers response: “What are you a retard that you can’t get out of a dress?”
Daggers flew from my eyes, our dressing room friends mother just gasp with disbelief and looked at me.
My response (rather loudly and directed at the stupid woman); “Disabilities ARE excepted in public, ignorance is NOT…”.
I rest my case.

Comment on What Does Retarded Mean? by Deborah Bobell

Deborah Bobell — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:09:29 +0000

“Retarded” in itself and with the dictionary meaning is a word that describes slower than “normal” development. In anything, in anyway and all aspects.
In our society, the “normal”, intelligent individuals have once again taken it and figured out how to twist and turn it to be a hurtful degrading figure of speech. Usually to show their supior intelligence-REALLY?
I would challenge any “normal” person to record their conversation using that word and hear just how intelligent they sound.
I would also ask them to listen carefully, tell me how many times you have ever heard a special needs person, their so called “retards” use that word in a degrading manner.
Makes one wonder just who has the intelligence and “who” doesn’t.
I have a wonderful, beautiful, self aware 37 year old daughter, she works everyday, is an asset to the community and the nicest person that would help or defend anyone, she graduated (on time I might add), has never asked for anything, pays her own way through life not a spoiled young lady that relies on her parents for everything she wants, went on to higher education in computer science and is very successful in today’s standards…….oh, I forgot to mention, she is also Down Syndrome. By definition yes,”retarded”, by society standards, no way, just a very typical person with special abilities.
So, in finishing, I sugesst the “normal” people think before throwing a word around they do not understand.

Comment on Lady Gaga: Madonna Plagiarism Accusation ‘Retarded’ by Bobbi

Bobbi — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:43:06 +0000

I believe that the “Lady” did not mean intentional insult to those of the cognitively disabled community. Not at all… This is; however, a perfect example of a lack of sensitivity to the impact that the “R” word imposes.

Comment on Action Pledge by Rhiannon

Rhiannon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:34:47 +0000

I work with special need kids whom have dounsindrem. They are very SMART, UNIQUE, WARM HEARTED AND SHA’LL NEVER BE CALLED THE “R” WORD UNLESS IT’S USED BY THE MEANINGS OF DISABILITY.
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop. “

Comment on Action Pledge by Sara

Sara — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:56:30 +0000

I’m so glad that this website (and this pledge) exists. I’m sure that I’ve used the r-word to mean ‘stupid’ on a couple of occasions as a teen, but I know that I never will again. I’m currently preparing to be a teacher, and I’m going to do my part to ensure that my students don’t use it, either. The world would be a kinder place without it!

Comment on Action Pledge by melissa hunnicutt

melissa hunnicutt — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:35:56 +0000

i would never say this word again because its hurtful and people need to stop useing this word!!!!!!

Comment on FREE Blog & Web Buttons by melissa hunnicutt

melissa hunnicutt — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:34:53 +0000

well i think that this word is reallly hurtful and that people need to staop saying it so that is why onalaska high school of onalaska wisconsin is doing a thing to get people to stop saying the word because i have friends that have this disablilites and people think that its funny to say this word btu it isnt so people need to stop saying the “r” word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment on Action Pledge by Katlyn(:

Katlyn(: — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:47:39 +0000

“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop.

Comment on Action Pledge by AJ

AJ — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:35:13 +0000

Whenever I hear people say the R word, I get so mad because it is very insulting. I want to yell at them, but I know that they will just make fun of me if I do. I have said it before, I admit, but I will try to not do it again.

Comment on Action Pledge by Stephanie Green

Stephanie Green — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:11:02 +0000

You are awesome