Mentally Impaired Audience Members — Page 16

tgn, then don't read it?

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Updated On: 2/12/08 at 09:15 PM

I could, but how much fun would that be?

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After reading the last four pages of this thread, I think I am going to scream.

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The term retarded is an outdated term that the medical community is/has been moving away from. The main reason is out of respect and sensitivity for families. Families often heard the word retardation and thought no hope, can't learn. This is not the case, they just learn differently and at a slower rate. The terms developmentally or intellectually disabled or challenged are becoming the norms in the medical community. These terms do not come across to families as harsh and give them more hope. I'm sure no-one here would disagree that hearing that your child has a developmental or intellectual delay wouldn't be hard to hear. Does changing the term change the diagnosis/prognosis- no; but if it helps a family cope and have hope then it is worth it. Again children with these diagnosis can make progress and learn, but only with the support of their family. People that don't work in the medical field or don't really have any contact with someone with this type of disability is not going to be as sensitive to the use of the term retarded as those who do are. If the term is not used intentionally as an insult, i don't think the person who uses this more outdated term is insensitive. i just take it as an opportunity to educate them on the newer terminology. (i had to educate my momma that "Mongoloid" is a very outdated term- but that is what she learned/heard growing up; she didn't use it to be hurtful; once she knew the correct term, she stopped using the old one.) I hope they will be understanding and be a little more sensitive when using the term in any situation, after all you never know, especially on a board like this, how closely that term may hit.
I did see the term "retard" used on here- and i will say that is never appropriate to use; it is most definitely an insult.
Now- can we please be done with the discussion about this and move on.

sanda if you want to insult someone don't use the word retarded. 'Nuf said.

Sesot, I see where you're coming from, but I dont completely agree. My retarded cousin is not "developmentally delayed or challenged" He is 27 years old, and he'll NEVER read, write, speak in sentences, use toilet paper, understand social norms, use tissue to wipe his nose, eat with utensils, etc.

On the other hand, the term Mongloid was used to described him by a lot of his teachers. A lot of people in the world of the Chicago disabled objected to the Mongloid term.

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wow.

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I'm contributing to the thread, and all you're doing is making this some weird personal thing. I dont get it.

But, I'll let you get the last word. The original poster requested that there would be no more petty posts, so I won't respond to your posts from now on, no matter what you say about me or my cousin.

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I totally get that "retarded" can come off as offensive. But seriously, when I am at the Northern Illinois Special Olympics, Independence Park Special ed. day programs, New Horizons family days, City of Chicago Holiday Sports Fest, etc, the word "retarded" is used. Everybody knows that "retarded" can be used pejoratively, but nobody uses it that way at those specific places.

I don't agree that because a word has become a pejorative it should never be used. I feel another alternative is to just use it more carefully.

The few times that my family has broached this topic, we've always said that replacing the word retarded when referring to my cousin with "developmentally disabled" etc just kind of masks his problem. We've always been very aggressive about involving him in things, and not shying away from the fact that he is, in fact, severely retarded. His mom, especially, felt like people telling her not to use the word retarded are telling her to feel shame or embarrassment about having a retarded son, so she should use another word to "mask" it.

My other cousin is the President of the Northern IL Special Olympics, and she uses "developmental disabilities" alot because it is a more inclusive term for the Special olympics. My cousin is a particular case--a man who has been diagnosed as having mental retardation. Not all of the people in the S. olympics are retarded, but they do all have developmental disabilities. But, here's the kicker: some of the people on my cousin's Special olympics basketball team can run, dribble, shoot, etc. Not only can my cousin not do those things, he doesnt even understand that he's in a basketball game when he "plays" basketball. So to call them ALL the same term--its just not accurate.

And, if was talking to somebody about my cousin and I said "yeah my cousin is retarded; he has down syndrome" and they were like "I'm so offended!" I would say "ok i'm sorry" and I would try not to say it in front of that person, because youre right its not necessary to aggravate people. HOWEVER.......HOWEVER..........HOWEVER.......in all seriousness...that has never happend to me! other than this messageboard!

I totally respect anybody's right to not use the word retarded and to hate the word retarded, but darn it, my cousin is retarded, and there is nothing ! wrong ! with ! that! : )

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Updated On: 2/14/08 at 05:20 PM

so what? is this about winning? its just a conversation.

And page 13 of this thread STILL features your use of the N-word, which you hae neither apologized for nor have you edited that post and removed it. So if that's the majority, thank goodness I'm in the minority.

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Updated On: 2/14/08 at 05:43 PM

people at my place of employment use the term retarded also. And that is still no excuse for using the N word.

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Updated On: 2/14/08 at 06:42 PM

George- political correctness drives me nuts. I hate that we cant "talk" anymore without fear of offending somenone. We DO NOT have to agree on everything in order to live together peacefuly! I would be glad to go to the theatre with you and your relative. I'm sure we'd both spend half the evening trying to teach was is and isn't acceptable beahvior, but isn't that what everyone should be doing anyway? I have enjoyed talking with and messaging you. You are the kind of person that makes the world a better and more accepting place to live. My hat is off to you, buddy!

yes! Another person on our side! Happy Valentine's day to us, George!

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