Today is an important day for me, my students, my friends and approximately 200 million others.  

Today is the annual day of awareness to "Spread the Word to End the Word".

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# What word? 

The word is "retarded" or "retard"... basically any form of the "r" word that is used as an insult toward anyone or anything. 
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# Why do I care?

I care because I believe in respecting everyone. 

I am a special education teacher who is lucky enough to really get to know some students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On a daily basis, I get to see the value individuals with disabilities bring to our world. I get to witness their kindness, generosity, intelligence, creativity, friendship and love. I also get to witness their frustrations, anger, sadness, and mistakes. You know... the same things all people have in common. 

Because that is just it. I get to see that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are *people*. 

And all people deserve to be respected. 

When someone uses the "r" word as an insult, it hurts people with disabilities as well as those who love them. It doesn't matter if I believe they *should* be offended by the word or not. The fact is, many individuals with disabilities and their loved ones feel pain when they hear the word. They feel that the person who is using it is belittling anyone with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

People with disabilities and their loved ones already need to overcome more challenges than I do,  why would I want to add any negativity to their lives?

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# Who am I to tell a person what words he or she can use?

No one. 

I have no right to *tell* anyone what he or she is *allowed* to say. Everyone reading this is perfectly free to say whatever words he or she chooses. 

I merely hope to spread the word so that everyone is able to make an informed choice concerning the use of this word.

Using the "r" word as an insult is hurtful toward many people with disabilities and those who love them. 

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# More information

If you'd like more information or would like to take the pledge to "Spread the Word to End the Word" please visit:

http://www.r-word.org/Default.aspx

*I will donate the USD equivalent of the rewards from this post to [The Special Olympics](http://www.specialolympics.org). 

*Image Links* [1](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b3/64/f3/b364f3c9450ac5a3a91feaac46609ec1.jpg), [2](http://media.specialolympics.org/resources/brand-awareness-and-communication/event-resources/spread-the-word/2017/2017-Spread-the-Word-Printable-Banner.pdf), [3](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAskoPxc3KQ/T1ds4ii5QNI/AAAAAAAAKw4/4m7UVsxSwiU/s1600/421587_10150652463809691_828709690_8984845_1276334015_n.jpg)