Post by Debbie on May 20, 2004 23:29:17 GMT -5
I wonder if we have had this subject on here before. It sounds vaguely familar to me.
Since I am a person who has Down syndrome I have to say I personally don't mind the word's, Mentally Retarded or I should say Mental Retardation (which I think is better) if it is used in the proper pretext. I admit, I don't like the word,"Retard", this word greatly offends me. I used to see red actually but was always afraid to say anything in fear of some one telling me I was going off my rocker. Which I had a good reason to go off my rocker! I don't see myself as a person who has mental retardation however. I just see myself as a person who is slower in learning. I don't have problems saying that I have Down syndrome. I am just a person. This is the best way to say it, I am person first above all. Oh, and yes, by the way I happen to have Down syndrome. ;D Yes, I have come across people who thought I didn't have it or thought that I wasn't going to do well. Actually, some were my relative's that said those thing's.
Some comments were indirect and some were pretty direct!
I just considered the source and the time frame. I mean, after all, the time was different for them then. I seemed to change their attitude's in a way too. I am not quite sure how I did that, but I did.
Sue, you were in special education too? I was made fun of myself and I was often called names as a child on the playground. I know how that feel's. Now you can feel for you daughter. You will be in a special place to help her if that does happen to her. I am not saying it will but, you never know. I remember those year's still. I was so shy and I still have problems getting close to people. I completely understand how that feel's.
Since I am a person who has Down syndrome I have to say I personally don't mind the word's, Mentally Retarded or I should say Mental Retardation (which I think is better) if it is used in the proper pretext. I admit, I don't like the word,"Retard", this word greatly offends me. I used to see red actually but was always afraid to say anything in fear of some one telling me I was going off my rocker. Which I had a good reason to go off my rocker! I don't see myself as a person who has mental retardation however. I just see myself as a person who is slower in learning. I don't have problems saying that I have Down syndrome. I am just a person. This is the best way to say it, I am person first above all. Oh, and yes, by the way I happen to have Down syndrome. ;D Yes, I have come across people who thought I didn't have it or thought that I wasn't going to do well. Actually, some were my relative's that said those thing's.
Some comments were indirect and some were pretty direct!
I just considered the source and the time frame. I mean, after all, the time was different for them then. I seemed to change their attitude's in a way too. I am not quite sure how I did that, but I did.
Sue, you were in special education too? I was made fun of myself and I was often called names as a child on the playground. I know how that feel's. Now you can feel for you daughter. You will be in a special place to help her if that does happen to her. I am not saying it will but, you never know. I remember those year's still. I was so shy and I still have problems getting close to people. I completely understand how that feel's.