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Spread The WordHelp us raise awareness about the hurtfulness of the R-word by pledging and sharing your stories year round.Pledge Now  
Seven Years of ProgressIn the years since the R-word campaign started, real change has taken place. Read more
R-word VideosSee the newest R-word videos on YouTube.Check them out
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I pledge #Respect thru my words & actions. Will you? Pledge now to create communities of inclusion for people with ID http://r-word.org  Here's how  
Movement ChampionsJohn "Frank" Stephens became a national phenomenon by showing us all how to create a more accepting society.
Read Frank's Story

Your Stories

December 04, 2015 | North America: Indiana

Think about it?

By Hailee

The word retarded is never used correctly. Everyone says it, even my closest friends, and people who have a family member like my brother.View Story ▼My little brother has Down syndrome and my uncle would be mentally retarded if he had lived. The word retarded is never used correctly. Everyone says it, even my closest friends, and people who have a family member like my brother. One day at lunch at school one of my friends called one of his friends retarded. While he was saying this I stopped him and told him that, that word was mean and can describe an actual person and that he should never say it again. From that day one he never said it again. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About Hailee:I am the only living sister in my family and my little brother has Down syndrome.
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December 04, 2015 | North America: South Dakota

Spreading the Word at SDSU

By Loral I Barrie

I started the movement on campus. My initial goal was to get 200 pledges and ended up reaching 1,018!View Story ▼I started the movement on campus as a leadership project for one of my classes at South Dakota State University. My initial goal was to get 200 pledges and ended up reaching 1,018 pledges from the SDSU community! It was great to see the support from my peers at SDSU to put an end to this offensive and derogatory word. An individual in the Brooking community said that "I have a disability and it does not define me" This is such a powerful statement that I believe everyone with a disability should know and use! SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!

About Loral I Barrie:My names is Loral I Barrie and I am a student at South Dakota State University with a passion to Spread the Word to End the Word!
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December 04, 2015 | Europe Eurasia: Great Britain

My Sister

By Lucie

My little sister was called Libbie. She was in my mum's tummy when we found out something was wrong.View Story ▼My little sister was called Libbie. She was in my mum's tummy when we found out something was wrong. My mum went to have the baby and she found out she had Apert syndrome, a genetic disorder which would make her look different to all other children if she would have survived and not passed away in my mum's tummy. I would have hated for anyone to call her the R word or make fun of how she looked or acted as it's revolting this word even exists and people use it in such a negative vile way. I think children should know not to use the word as it's highly offensive and disrespectful to people who may be slightly different to us. I really think people should think twice before saying the R-word as it really shouldn't be said. If I were to actually hear anyone say it, I would will remind them what it means. It's not fair and should not be said! I believe everyone should be treated equally and no one should get called names because of how they may look or act. It's so rude and discourteous.

About Lucie :My name is Lucie. I am 14. I have a brother who is 2 and a sister who is 10 and I love sport.
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December 04, 2015 | North America: Colorado

Not knowing is NOT an excuse

By Jenessa Romo

My best friend's little brother has special needs and he is the happiest, most outgoing and caring person I know.View Story ▼My best friend's little brother has special needs and he is the happiest, most outgoing and caring person I know. One day my friend and I were outside with some friends when her mom comes outside asking if her little brother could come say hi. Confused as to why her mom came outside to ask that, one of our friends said, "What? Is your brother retarded or something?" As soon as the r-word came out of his mouth, her little brother opened the door and our friend realized how big of a mistake he had just made. Not knowing if someone has special needs is not an excuse to use the r-word. Ever since that day the friendships we had have not been the same. Using the r-word hurts everyone who is close to someone with special needs. Not knowing is NOT an excuse!

About Jenessa Romo:I have been volunteering with Special Olympics for 5 years now. I also volunteer for Adams Camp, which is a therapeutic camp for special needs. I am currently studying Occupational Therapy.
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December 04, 2015 | North America: North Carolina

everyone on campus has my back

By Caro Addams

I was hanging out with a friend and when I came back to my dorm I saw someone wrote the word retard on my whiteboard.View Story ▼I was hanging out with a friend and when I came back to my dorm I saw someone wrote the word retard on my whiteboard. I was extremely upset and mad at whoever did it. I never have said the word but I told a few friends at dinner that night and on an app called yik yak i saw many posts about almost all the sports team and many of my good friends have my back and understand why i am so upset about the word. It made me so happy to know that I have so many people have my back.

About Caro Addams:I have an older sister who has a disability that makes her unable to talk and do certain things on her own. I am also a huge fan of my college's baseball and softball teams.
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Spread the Word 3.04.15

Our annual day of awareness is 2 March 2016. You can still take the pledge, and if you have a story to share, please do.

Join Us to End the Word

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Act Now!

Pledge your support to eliminate the demeaning use of the r-word.

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We've Pledged!

  • I pledge and cross my heart to never allow the "R" word to cross my mind again and I pledge to correct people if they do happen to say the "R" word because they areen't o...

    ...

    Sydney

    Chicago, Illinois
    2891 hours ago

  • I volunteer at a camp for people of all ages with various disabilities and I won hate to see any one of them hurt because of a peer using the r-word. I pledge and support...

    ...

    Angela Sutch

    Levittown, New York
    2905 hours ago

  • My brother and I both have forms of Autism and we are constantly informing people that the r-word is not only misused it's also extremely demeaning to any person with spe...

    ...

    Brittney Cathcart

    Arlington, Texas
    2978 hours ago

  • 10+ years ago I volunteered for organizations that work with wonderful and intelligent special needs children and teens. Although I'm involved less now, I'm frequently d...

    ...

    Sarah Rosenthal

    Township of Washington, New Jersey
    3035 hours ago

  • I have a sister with Downs and I know that words can hurt. I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the ...

    ...

    Peter Collins

    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    3052 hours ago

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