Growing up, not
only was I labeled as a kid in Special Education by teachers and
administrators, but my peers automatically assumed I was something less than
them because I was in Special Ed. There was times when I was told you can't do
that, you're in "retarded" classes. It was hurtful. I held back tears
as they tried to tear me down. It made me feel like they thought I was
defective. What they didn't realize is I'm just like them. I'm a daughter, I'm
a sister, I'm gifted in writing, I like to hang out with my friends, but most
importantly I'm a person.
You don't even
have to use the "r word" in a hurtful way. Behind your friendly face
when you use that word, I know you think that people with disabilities are less
than you. But we're not.
We are human beings
just like you. People don't have the
right to label you just because of your differences. Everyone has differences,
but sometimes our differences stand out a little more. That doesn't mean they can’t
do what you can do. Not only do you hurt
people with disabilities when you use the "r word", you hurt the ones
that love them. So think before you say, and eliminate the "r word"
from your vocabulary. It hurts more than you think.
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