The "R-Word"

You may have missed it, but in the news recently was this tweet made by Ann Coulter (see below) and the response from Special Olympian John Franklin Stephens. This really got me thinking about the use of the word “retard” in today’s society.

 

 

While I am not defending Ann’s comment or saying she wasn’t wrong in her choice of words, part of me wonders her actual intention in the phrase. Stop and think for a minute about how often you hear people (regretfully myself included) saying, “Oh, I am such a retard; I did blah, blah, blah wrong,” or “That assignment the teacher gave us is so retarded!”

 

This interchangeable use of the R-word for something we perceive as silly, stupid, or of the like, has become extremely pervasive in the vocabulary of today’s generation. Heck, even the Black Eyed Peas made a very popular song called “Let’s Get Retarded” (later retitled to the more radio friendly “Let’s Get it Started”).

 

Thinking about the aforementioned song, what is the underlying message? Simply, the BEPs are using “retarded” as a synonym for (extremely) intoxicated or going all out crazy /partying. These actions are characterized by a disregard and ignorance of consequences, incoherence, low coordination, and flat out inane behavior. Therefore, it can be reasoned that the BEPs are saying that people considered medically “retarded” have those characteristics. I doubt that the song writers purposefully intended to make fun of the cognitively impaired, but isn’t that exactly what the song does?

 

One can argue that it is just a figure of speech; that it is only slang. Those excuses are only half true, however, because it while it is slang it is also a form of hate speech. This might seem like an extreme assertion at first, but consider the definition of the term:

 

“Hate Speech is, outside the law, communication that vilifies (belittles, criticizes, etc.) a person or a group on the basis of color, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics” -From Wikipedia.

 

To me that pretty much describes the use of the R-word in today’s culture, which unfortunately has become so common that no one stops to think of the group it is disrespecting and demeaning. Intentional or not, it is a put-down to the intellectually disabled.

 

As I mentioned above, I have been guilty of using the R-word many times myself, and therefore I am not intending to criticize everyone that uses the term. I merely want to share my thoughts about something that I never took the time to consider until the issue hit close to home.

 

 

 

 

Honestly, deep down I have always known it (the R-word) wasn’t appropriate, considering I knew to filter my choice of words while in a professional setting. Regrettably I wasn’t so careful about using the term around other people. I look back and wonder how many people I might have inadvertently hurt by using the R-word, and wish I could apologize.

 

My hope for the future is that more people realize the hurt certain words can cause, even if they don’t mean them to. I will have to be an advocate for my daughter as well as help her become her own self-advocate. Does this mean I will call people out when I hear them use the R-word slangily? Maybe, maybe not…I suppose it depends on the situation.

 

What it does mean is I will at the very least modify my own language, and this is not limited to the R-word.

(Gay is another commonly used word used in a similar way).

 

 

 

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's

Although there are more immediate concerns I have for my little girl’s health, Alzheimer’s disease is something else she may face in the future. Studies have shown that genes on the 21st chromosome contribute to the aging process, and therefore an extra copy of 21 increases the risk of a degenerative memory disease.

I am choosing to write about this today because there was a recent conference in Chicago where experts in both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s met to discuss the link between the two afflictions. In a study funded by Johnson & Johnson, individuals with Down syndrome will be the focus of research since the occurrence of Alzheimer’s is much higher in people with DS (roughly 25% show signs by age thirty, with the rate increasing to as high as 75% with age). 

In the past the life expectancy of an individual with Down syndrome was not much past 30, so the connection was not as evident. Now that individuals are living into their 60s, scientists see an opportunity to study a disease that slowly steals people from their loved ones.

The hope is that by monitoring those with a high risk from an early age (before symptoms manifest), they may able to do better understand the progression and to prevent the causes of Alzheimer’s (brain plaques and tangles). You can read the full article here.

One of the questions posed in the article is if parents of adults with Down syndrome would be willing to sign them up for these studies. I think about what I would do, and I suppose it really depends on what the study would entail. Would it be diagnostics and observations, or more risky drug trials? Would you sign up your son or daughter to be studied?

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

In the past years, Down syndrome is becoming better understood as the community strengthens and strives to educate others. Unlike in the seventies where those diagnosed with DS were commonly institutionalized, there is now a realization that with the proper therapies and care people with Down syndrome can lead fulfilling, productive, and “normal” lives.

There is still a long way to go, however, when you consider that 9 out of 10 babies diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome are aborted. I firmly believe that this statistic is largely due to a lack of understanding and knowledge. I discuss some of my personal thoughts on this matter in my post, A Choice.

They bottom line is though, despite all the possible health problems and developmental delays a child with Down syndrome may have, they will overcome more than you can ever imagine. They will amaze you every day and bring more joy and love than you ever thought possible. I believe this, and my baby girl still has 20 weeks left in my belly.

 

So, in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month check out your local Buddy Walk, an advocacy event to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with Down syndrome.

Also, check out this "Wall of Awesome" at Noah's Dad.com, which is a post where parents can share their wonderful stories about raising children with Down syndrome.