Think about it.
Don't pity them. Don't talk down to them. Be open to them. Be open to people. It changed my life, I think it would change yours.
~Johnny Knoxville, discussing use of the R word and reflecting on his work in The Ringer with Eddie Barbanell, an individual that has Down syndrome
Talk to them. Be their friend. Love them. Hug them. Do anything to raise the spirits of people with different abilities. It is like God taking something away from them in one area and making them extraordinary in other areas. Break down the walls. Break down the stereotypes. Break down every wall you can.
~Eddie Barbanell, an actor that has Down syndrome
I have been told before that I am too sensitive when it comes to the R word. Quite honestly, that is hurtful. Just as hurtful as the R word. Is that what you are going to tell my girls too ... when one day they inevitably will come crying to me because their feelings are hurt after hearing someone called them retarded? Are you going to tell them they are being insensitive too?
Do you realize just how often the R word is thrown around?
I know. I used to be one of those people. How ignorant was I?
The I-didn't-mean-it-that-way arguments are meaningless. It doesn't matter how you meant it. Using the word insinuates so many things about my girls ... about any person with an intellectual disability.
Think about it.
Is there anyone in your life that has changed your perspective of the use of the R word?
~Johnny Knoxville, discussing use of the R word and reflecting on his work in The Ringer with Eddie Barbanell, an individual that has Down syndrome
Talk to them. Be their friend. Love them. Hug them. Do anything to raise the spirits of people with different abilities. It is like God taking something away from them in one area and making them extraordinary in other areas. Break down the walls. Break down the stereotypes. Break down every wall you can.
~Eddie Barbanell, an actor that has Down syndrome
I have been told before that I am too sensitive when it comes to the R word. Quite honestly, that is hurtful. Just as hurtful as the R word. Is that what you are going to tell my girls too ... when one day they inevitably will come crying to me because their feelings are hurt after hearing someone called them retarded? Are you going to tell them they are being insensitive too?
Do you realize just how often the R word is thrown around?
I know. I used to be one of those people. How ignorant was I?
The I-didn't-mean-it-that-way arguments are meaningless. It doesn't matter how you meant it. Using the word insinuates so many things about my girls ... about any person with an intellectual disability.
Think about it.
Is there anyone in your life that has changed your perspective of the use of the R word?
