It is said that spoken words have unique powers. Depending on how the words are used, the power is either positive or negative. The r word pledge was started to discourage and end the use of the term retarded or retarded in reference to persons who are intellectually impaired. This reference is hurtful and demeaning. Its avoidance makes the society more accommodating of shortcomings in other people. It shows respect and recognition of varied talents enabling people to take the right actions towards persons gifted differently.
The gist of this campaign is to show the variation in gifts other than inability. The argument is that not everyone can swim, walk, sing, run, etc as fast as everyone else. This does not make the people any less valuable. There is need, therefore, to get rid of this word to avoid battering the self esteem of affected people. Everyone should be regarded with dignity despite certain shortcomings.
It is the mainstreaming of the term mental retardation or mentally retarded that is causing a problem. The connotative meaning was to be reserved for clinical or medicinal use. Doctors used it to refer to a developmental condition. Today, its street use is to tell off a person whose act is considered stupid or thoughtless. The problem arises when it is used on persons with actual mental condition. It gives them a tag that indicates less value than ordinary human beings.
Mental retardation is the preferred reference in medical circles for a person who is mentally impaired. Though people who engage in stupid acts are regarded as retards, it is hurtful when used on persons with real mental condition. It shows failure to appreciate or ignorance of the gifts that such a person possesses.
The campaign began in 2009 at a Special Olympics activation event. There arose the need to put the person before what he or she can do. Focus was to shift from cognitive or developmental inability and shine on his intrinsic value. It was a call to appreciate that such persons have satisfying experiences like every normal human being. Words should not be used to make them appear any less human.
Pledges are registered on the official campaign website where you are required to give the name, residence city and country or state where you come from. You may add details about your organization or school, but these are optional. These details are filled on a prompt form with your commitment being displayed for the world to see. You are invited to sign in for a monthly newsletter containing calendar of events, news and more campaign information.
Most people ask, What is wrong with her/him, when they spot a mentally impaired person. The aim of this campaign is to turn the shine on what the person can do other than his or her deficiencies. Being on a wheelchair is equated to inability to swim, sing, draw, etc. It does not make anyone any less valuable.
People making pledges are invited to share personal experiences with mentally impaired persons. The experiences will help people view the victims as ordinary human beings only that they are alternatively gifted. By creating a positive aura around the issue the affected persons will feel more dignified.
The gist of this campaign is to show the variation in gifts other than inability. The argument is that not everyone can swim, walk, sing, run, etc as fast as everyone else. This does not make the people any less valuable. There is need, therefore, to get rid of this word to avoid battering the self esteem of affected people. Everyone should be regarded with dignity despite certain shortcomings.
It is the mainstreaming of the term mental retardation or mentally retarded that is causing a problem. The connotative meaning was to be reserved for clinical or medicinal use. Doctors used it to refer to a developmental condition. Today, its street use is to tell off a person whose act is considered stupid or thoughtless. The problem arises when it is used on persons with actual mental condition. It gives them a tag that indicates less value than ordinary human beings.
Mental retardation is the preferred reference in medical circles for a person who is mentally impaired. Though people who engage in stupid acts are regarded as retards, it is hurtful when used on persons with real mental condition. It shows failure to appreciate or ignorance of the gifts that such a person possesses.
The campaign began in 2009 at a Special Olympics activation event. There arose the need to put the person before what he or she can do. Focus was to shift from cognitive or developmental inability and shine on his intrinsic value. It was a call to appreciate that such persons have satisfying experiences like every normal human being. Words should not be used to make them appear any less human.
Pledges are registered on the official campaign website where you are required to give the name, residence city and country or state where you come from. You may add details about your organization or school, but these are optional. These details are filled on a prompt form with your commitment being displayed for the world to see. You are invited to sign in for a monthly newsletter containing calendar of events, news and more campaign information.
Most people ask, What is wrong with her/him, when they spot a mentally impaired person. The aim of this campaign is to turn the shine on what the person can do other than his or her deficiencies. Being on a wheelchair is equated to inability to swim, sing, draw, etc. It does not make anyone any less valuable.
People making pledges are invited to share personal experiences with mentally impaired persons. The experiences will help people view the victims as ordinary human beings only that they are alternatively gifted. By creating a positive aura around the issue the affected persons will feel more dignified.
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