Like most, I am guilty of misusing the word retarded. In my defense, I did not know the true meaning or origin of the word before it was incorrectly incorporated into my vocabulary. Most people nowadays who use the r-word to mean idiotic do so ignorantly and without knowledge of its roots, to no fault of their own — the word has incorporated itself into modern day vocabulary, and most use it without any ill will towards those with special needs.
Retarded, however, is defined as slowed down or delayed, but it became used as a substitute for those with mental disabilities to refer to their stunted intellectual development or delayed mental processes, which in my sister’s case, is Down Syndrome.
When Grace was born, she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and predicted to remain mute for life. As the only one able to coax out of and interpret her warbled dialect, I was assigned the role of translator. Our relationship was interdependent. As young children, we could often be spotted cruising down the streets in a double stroller or romping around the backyard catching roly-polies. She depended on me to communicate with the rest of the world; I depended on her to be my best friend.
Watching her overcome the hurdle of speech, defying the constraints of her condition, I couldn’t have been more proud of her, which was why it felt like a punch in the gut when strangers would point and whisper at her round face and flat nose. Some
Retarded, however, is defined as slowed down or delayed, but it became used as a substitute for those with mental disabilities to refer to their stunted intellectual development or delayed mental processes, which in my sister’s case, is Down Syndrome.
When Grace was born, she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and predicted to remain mute for life. As the only one able to coax out of and interpret her warbled dialect, I was assigned the role of translator. Our relationship was interdependent. As young children, we could often be spotted cruising down the streets in a double stroller or romping around the backyard catching roly-polies. She depended on me to communicate with the rest of the world; I depended on her to be my best friend.
Watching her overcome the hurdle of speech, defying the constraints of her condition, I couldn’t have been more proud of her, which was why it felt like a punch in the gut when strangers would point and whisper at her round face and flat nose. Some
would question her differences with childlike curiosity, others would point out her abnormalities in cruder manners.
Oftentimes I was left speechless, clueless as to how to defend my sister, whose condition left her incapable to defend herself. As my parents raised me to embrace difference and protect the vulnerable and less fortunate, I did not understand why some would choose to mock my sister who was bright enough to come even as far as 12th grade despite the odds, instead of lending a compassionate hand. Now some of the brightest and kindest souls are unjustly subjected to the negative connotations of retarded due to their mental handicaps. But with its widespread and popular use, people insensitively dole out the insult, unknowingly ostracizing the special needs community, which encompasses about 15% of the world’s population. Usage of the word ignores the humanity in these individuals and assumes that all those with disabilities are stupid, making it their defining characteristic. By hurting those who are impaired, it is by extension, hurting their loved ones.Today, people flippantly utilize words like retarded without giving a second thought to the weight they hold or the damage they can create.
Although I by no means expect the word to disappear, it is my hope that people will take the time to consider their words before mindlessly throwing them around.
Oftentimes I was left speechless, clueless as to how to defend my sister, whose condition left her incapable to defend herself. As my parents raised me to embrace difference and protect the vulnerable and less fortunate, I did not understand why some would choose to mock my sister who was bright enough to come even as far as 12th grade despite the odds, instead of lending a compassionate hand. Now some of the brightest and kindest souls are unjustly subjected to the negative connotations of retarded due to their mental handicaps. But with its widespread and popular use, people insensitively dole out the insult, unknowingly ostracizing the special needs community, which encompasses about 15% of the world’s population. Usage of the word ignores the humanity in these individuals and assumes that all those with disabilities are stupid, making it their defining characteristic. By hurting those who are impaired, it is by extension, hurting their loved ones.Today, people flippantly utilize words like retarded without giving a second thought to the weight they hold or the damage they can create.
Although I by no means expect the word to disappear, it is my hope that people will take the time to consider their words before mindlessly throwing them around.