the "r" word discussion

[Chester]

My daughter was at an overnight camp last night, and the DH is out of town too. So I decided to spend some quality time with the boys.....cleaning out Cory's room....AUGH! Even though we just moved, his room was a pit! He moved candy wrappers for crying out loud....anyhow

Cory, JT and I were working away and Cory said something about the camp his sister was at as "mental" because it's "environMENTAL" get it Mom, Mom, huh Mom?!

I asked him if he knew what mental meant. Somewhere along the conversation I asked him if he knew that his brother was mentally retarded? OH MAN! You would have just thought I had said the "f" word in front of him. I wasn't ready for Cory's response, I wouldn't have thrown it out there like that if I would have known. He was MAD at me for saying that. He kept saying no he's not, and I should take it back. So after he vented for a bit, I told him that MR is a "medical term" for learning slower, developing slower.

Everyone was okay by bedtime. I know Cory will always be one of JT's biggest advocates. I know Cory has a brand new sense of why name calling hurts and I know that my mudslide tasted mighty good after they went to bed!

Dawn

[Jessie]

Wow! Interesting response by Cory, aka, the pack rat? LOL

Funny how a lesson can take place so innocently and unexpectedly. Glad to hear you enjoyed your mudslide!

The other day Jason's cousin was over to our house and he said something was retarded. When Brian walked out of the room, I said, you know, retarded probably isn't the most appropriate word to use and winked at him. He goes, OMG, I'm sorry I just don't think sometimes. This is a kid that completely loves Jason and has always treated him as an equal. I believe that most kids repeat things, pick things up, etc., and just need to have it pointed out to them to think about what it really means when they say something like that, just like you did with Cory.


Jessie

[Valerie]

Hey, Dawn, I can understand! My son (who will be 17 in a couple days) had the same reaction to me! One of his friends was over here and said something was retarded, so I asked them if they actually knew what that word meant. So we were talking about it, and I said you know your brother has DS. OMG!!!

My boy about went off on me! He said, "Nick is NOT that!" (He wouldn't even say the word!) "He does some things faster than other kids his age, and that's not what he is!"

So I'm explaining to my TEENAGER, that yes, Nicholas is slower learning some things, and that's the true meaning of retarded, slower. I really don't like using that word, either, but was just trying to explain things!

[Claire]

I myself use the word mental retardation in my presentations at schools for the grade 8th. But I explain what the wrod means. It is a medical term, and there is nothing wrong with the word. It is the way my son is and it's OK by us. I also tell the student that there are ways that the wrod is used that is harmful, but to just make a point of it as a medical term I don't have a problem with it. Just my opinion. I think the more people react to certain words negatively is what makes the word bad.