It is said that spoken words have unique powers. Depending on how the words are used, the power is either positive or negative. The r word pledge was started to discourage and end the use of the term retarded or retarded in reference to persons who are intellectually impaired. This reference is hurtful and demeaning. Its avoidance makes the society more accommodating of shortcomings in other people. It shows respect and recognition of varied talents enabling people to take the right actions towards persons gifted differently.
The gist of this campaign is to show the variation in gifts other than inability. The argument is that not everyone can swim, walk, sing, run, etc as fast as everyone else. This does not make the people any less valuable. There is need, therefore, to get rid of this word to avoid battering the self esteem of affected people. Everyone should be regarded with dignity despite certain shortcomings.
It is the mainstreaming of the term mental retardation or mentally retarded that is causing a problem. The connotative meaning was to be reserved for clinical or medicinal use. Doctors used it to refer to a developmental condition. Today, its street use is to tell off a person whose act is considered stupid or thoughtless. The problem arises when it is used on persons with actual mental condition. It gives them a tag that indicates less value than ordinary human beings.
The hurtful aspect of referring to a developmental condition as retardation is the lack of appreciation of the special gifts such a person possesses. The focus becomes on what the person cannot do instead of what he or she is capable of doing. This action is hurtful and should be condemned. With more people pledging to eliminate such reference from ordinary speech, the trend will be reversed.
The campaign began in 2009 at a Special Olympics activation event. There arose the need to put the person before what he or she can do. Focus was to shift from cognitive or developmental inability and shine on his intrinsic value. It was a call to appreciate that such persons have satisfying experiences like every normal human being. Words should not be used to make them appear any less human.
One makes the pledge by registering on the official website for the campaign. You will be required to provide your name, city of residence and state or country of origin. Optional details to give include organization or school name and your age. By completing this prompt form, your commitment will be displayed on the site as part of a global awareness campaign. The website also releases monthly news, event calendar and campaign information through their subscription newsletter.
Most people ask, What is wrong with her/him, when they spot a mentally impaired person. The aim of this campaign is to turn the shine on what the person can do other than his or her deficiencies. Being on a wheelchair is equated to inability to swim, sing, draw, etc. It does not make anyone any less valuable.
People making pledges are invited to share personal experiences with mentally impaired persons. The experiences will help people view the victims as ordinary human beings only that they are alternatively gifted. By creating a positive aura around the issue the affected persons will feel more dignified.
The gist of this campaign is to show the variation in gifts other than inability. The argument is that not everyone can swim, walk, sing, run, etc as fast as everyone else. This does not make the people any less valuable. There is need, therefore, to get rid of this word to avoid battering the self esteem of affected people. Everyone should be regarded with dignity despite certain shortcomings.
It is the mainstreaming of the term mental retardation or mentally retarded that is causing a problem. The connotative meaning was to be reserved for clinical or medicinal use. Doctors used it to refer to a developmental condition. Today, its street use is to tell off a person whose act is considered stupid or thoughtless. The problem arises when it is used on persons with actual mental condition. It gives them a tag that indicates less value than ordinary human beings.
The hurtful aspect of referring to a developmental condition as retardation is the lack of appreciation of the special gifts such a person possesses. The focus becomes on what the person cannot do instead of what he or she is capable of doing. This action is hurtful and should be condemned. With more people pledging to eliminate such reference from ordinary speech, the trend will be reversed.
The campaign began in 2009 at a Special Olympics activation event. There arose the need to put the person before what he or she can do. Focus was to shift from cognitive or developmental inability and shine on his intrinsic value. It was a call to appreciate that such persons have satisfying experiences like every normal human being. Words should not be used to make them appear any less human.
One makes the pledge by registering on the official website for the campaign. You will be required to provide your name, city of residence and state or country of origin. Optional details to give include organization or school name and your age. By completing this prompt form, your commitment will be displayed on the site as part of a global awareness campaign. The website also releases monthly news, event calendar and campaign information through their subscription newsletter.
Most people ask, What is wrong with her/him, when they spot a mentally impaired person. The aim of this campaign is to turn the shine on what the person can do other than his or her deficiencies. Being on a wheelchair is equated to inability to swim, sing, draw, etc. It does not make anyone any less valuable.
People making pledges are invited to share personal experiences with mentally impaired persons. The experiences will help people view the victims as ordinary human beings only that they are alternatively gifted. By creating a positive aura around the issue the affected persons will feel more dignified.
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