{"id":1623,"date":"2025-10-09T18:36:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T18:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/?p=1623"},"modified":"2025-10-09T18:36:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T18:36:32","slug":"while-everyone-was-making-funny-faces-and-taking-photos-i-heard-her-say-it-the-r-word-special-needs-mom-pushes-friends-for-inclusive-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/?p=1623","title":{"rendered":"\u2018While everyone was making funny faces and taking photos, I heard her say it. The R word.\u2019: Special needs mom pushes friends for inclusive language"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cThe chips and salsa were being passed around our table of friends at our favorite restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was girl\u2019s night. Jokes were told, stories were shared and laughter probably echoed all the way to the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then it happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While everyone was making funny faces and taking pictures, I heard her say it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Omg, you look like a r\u2014rd!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laughter continued from you and our friends for a brief moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until you all glanced over at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u2019t laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tears began to fill my eyes and I could barely get the words out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Please don\u2019t ever use that word again.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a mother<\/a> of a son with an intellectual disability, it breaks my heart every time I hear an insensitive comment about someone\u2019s IQ or cognitive ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u2018mental retardation\u2019 was replaced with \u2018intellectual disability\u2019 for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when I heard it said in front of me, among friends, it was hard to keep it together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I eventually gathered myself, we talked about why this word is so degrading and hurtful<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it\u2019s disrespectful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And offensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not just to me and my son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But to EVERYONE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also shared why it\u2019s important to teach our children to never use this word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were apologies and more tears shed as we ended our night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a valuable lesson learned that day over dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words are powerful, my friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s up to us how we choose to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018That\u2019s so r\u2014rded.\u2019
\u2018You look like a r\u2014rd.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saying these kinds of things is NOT OK.
Calling ANYONE a r\u2014rd is NOT OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s choose to use words that spread love and not hate.
Let\u2019s choose to be respectful and include<\/a> others who may look or act differently than us.
Let\u2019s be mindful of the words we use and realize the impact they can have on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s promise to make a conscious effort when speaking<\/a> and to not allow this word in our conversations or in our homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start a ripple effect of taking it completely out of the vocabulary we use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change starts with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s no better time than now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Special<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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