Lately I've been hearing the word 'retarded' thrown around everywhere I go - adults, teens, children say it. This word is offensive to me. I would like to think it's not just because I have a mentally disabled child - I have always found this word to be rude and just unnecessary; but just to be honest having Adam does change my perspective.
Just this week I was walking out of a local store and I heard a woman (I'm guessing she was in her 20's) say to her friend, "I am just so retarded." She was referring to the fact that she had forgotten to get something she had originally gone in the store for. This next example is even worse - this week the yearbook came out for my daughter's elementary school. She was riding the bus home and the two kids she was sharing a seat with were looking through the yearbook. They came across one of Adam's classmates (who is also disabled) and were laughing at his picture and calling him a retard. My daughter was so hurt by these words - no they were not about her but she is sensitive about disabled children and adults and understands this word is not appropriate to use...ever! She later said she was glad Adam's photo was not in the yearbook so they could not make fun of him as well.
Where are we going wrong as parents? as role models? as adults? Kids look to us constantly - they mirror and/or repeat what we say and do. We can't be on our best behavior all the time but we can try not to use hurtful and unnecessary language and we can - if we desire - never use the word 'retarded' or 'retard' again. And I beg of you if you hear someone you know use this word just ask them to stop and if they want to know why tell them...you never know maybe next time they won't use this word.
Words Do Matter...make your words count.
