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Joined: Jun 2005
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National Public Radio story worth reading and hearing:
Quote:
NPR: Rethinking 'the R-word'
(Retarded) Should It Leave The Lexicon?

by Neda Ulaby 9/8/09, via Johanna at the Down-syn Discussion Group.
" ...
E. Duff Wrobbel never gave the word much thought � until his daughter
was born with Down syndrome. When she was just a baby, Wrobbel was
driving with her when another car cut them off.
"And I actually said that word," says Wrobbel, who is a professor of speech communications. "And then I stopped my car and got teary. And I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I just said that.' "
Now, Wrobbel has joined other activists who campaign against the word ... To them, it's not a hilarious put-down; it's hate speech. ..."
"... What happens is, if you're lucky, you come to understand those words describe actual human beings."
"...It's not about freedom of speech," the Feltys write on their Website. "Its simply about respect."..."


Should it "leave the lexicon?"

Yes. Please. Soon.

Pam W
SE of Seattle



Pamela Wilson - Children with Special Needs Editor
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I have a sister-in-law who is MRDD and she is in no way intellectually disabled. Yes, her brain functions differently than many people's brain functions however she is extremely insightful and has dealt with a serious health problem better than anyone I know.

I think the term intellectual disablities is completely inaccurate.


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Originally Posted By: Erika Lyn Smith - ADD
I have a sister-in-law who is MRDD and she is in no way intellectually disabled. Yes, her brain functions differently than many people's brain functions however she is extremely insightful and has dealt with a serious health problem better than anyone I know.

I think the term intellectual disabilities is completely inaccurate.

Thank you, Erika Lyn.

You have a great point there. I believe it is more accurate to label people with higher IQs who demean or harass others as being intellectually disabled. The same held true, for me, with the terms 'ineducable' and 'untrainable' (along with with their positive counterparts) - accurately used to describe some administrators we met, but never students.

Recognizing multiple intelligences, capacities and potential makes so much more sense than creating more terminology that will reduce opportunties and natrual inclusion for people who contribute so positively to the world.

That being said, I still remember the shock I felt the first time I saw my son cringe when he heard the 'R' word in casual conversation. He was so young ~ I was shocked that he had even heard the word, let alone that he had heard the word used in a context that was hate speech.

Pam W
SE of Seattle

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