Words cut. Words Matter. In Proverbs 18:21 the Bible states “ The tongue has the power to life or death. It can be used as a weapon to harm or destroy, or as a tool to build and heal.”
I remember growing up in an environment where words weren’t considered in the aspect of how people received them. This was when I was 4-10. Iremember the first time I was called the r-word and let me tell you it didn’t feel very good. I remember not knowing what it meant but I remember the way it was said to me in both tone and facial expression.
I remember the first time I hear a very vulgar word and kept hearing them. Now keep in mind this was during a time I didn’t know a thing about my I/DD. I recall always being bullied and I remember being deeply hurt by the language I was hearing. It was a time for me that was a deep struggle.
Moving forward to when I was 11 and just was adopted. I was learning a boat load about my special needs all at once while being in the pre-teen stage. My mom ( hi mom if you read this) taught me the power of words and they they matter in both delivery and as well as how I feel when I say them. She taught me to think before I speak and that once it’s said it’s said and I can’t take it back. I remember struggling in my med changes and hormone changes. It was a hard time and that was really when it hit me how I offend people with my words because I was not consideringhow i said it and what I said affected the other party.
I learned a lot in the next few years. I grew up and matured a lot mentally. I remember feeling that I’d never measure up because of things said to me to my face as well as behind my back. I remember not “ fitting in” bc of my I/DD. I foundwords are valuable and so is inclusion for everyone! I remember really having to learn my self worth and also really deal with a wide range of insecurities due to the lack of others understanding of me.
Fast forward to my now 22 year old self. I am an active member of the Indiana Special Olympics specifically Grant County. Grant County Special Olympics has really helped me gain confidence and step out of the shell I was living in. I’ve seen a lot of people and peers struggle and learn about themselves and thrive. And let me tell you it’s been hard and rewarding seeing others really understand the things I go through as well as really truly relate to me.
Now to the point: the r-word. My biggest thing is all of this is treat others the way you’d expect to be treated. If you can’t eat what you dish then why say anything at all? I’ve heard it said in all ways and all circumstances. And I feel really disappointed when I hear that word come out of people’s mouths. Putting aside my faith and beliefs I don’t understand why people think it’s so the norm to be cruel with their words and the injustice of this world. I don’t understand why just because we have an I/DD it’s okay for us to be treated any less. We are human too and we have feelings and believe me we DO understand what you’re saying to us. So don’t be making me think I don’t understand because I sure as heck DO! So keep in mind before anyone goes using derogatory terms against special needs remember just like you might be offended by things so are we.
