Today is National Spread the Word to End the R-Word Day. It is a day that has become an important day to me and my family ever since we first received our youngest daughters diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Today is not about being politically correct its about showing respect for every individual regardless of their characteristics, skin color or diagnosis. We are all people and we all deserve to be treated like human beings.
The words that we choose to use do have repercussions, whether we mean for them to or not. We must stop and consider our actions, choices and words wisely.
We must teach or children better than we were taught and we should continue to grow and evolve as people and from who our ancestors once were.
You have a chance to be a voice.
Every time you hear the R-word being used, and it doesn't matter if the person meant it that way or not. It doesn't matter if they were meaning it towards anyone in particular or if they were just joking. The "R" word should not be used, ever. Be the voice! Help end the word! Say something! Remind people that the usage of the R-word is disrespectful and hurtful, that it is demeaning and that it segregates and makes the person using the word look distasteful and insensitive.
I could show many photo's of the R-word being used in the most disgusting of ways and even though the shock value of those photo's may help to get my point across, I just cant bring myself to do it.
Instead, I'll share a photo of our sweet Vada girl and ask you, for her, will you be a voice. Will you be brave enough to speak up for those who cant? To those who wont? Will you take the Pledge to Spread the Word to End the Word?
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