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I am tired. Tired from lack of sleep, and all together tired of ignorance. I know, “get off Facebook if you’re too sensitive.” But you know what, it takes ZERO energy to be a decent human being. Yes, I know, everyone is tired of being “politically correct” all the time now. Well, this is life. Being PC is just how it is now. Just like in the 50’s when segregation was being fought against, special needs families are now fighting for our children’s rights. Their right to equal education, their right to proper supports, and their rights to be among the masses and NOT be judged for being different.
It starts with YOU. How you talk about our children, how you treat our children, your children see that and will emulate your behaviors. Not just in public, but on public forums. More people need to make an effort to stop using terms such as “retarded,” or “short bus,” or “mental,” (and I could keep going) when commenting on things they see online. I was in a Facebook vape group the other day and someone described a sale as “it’s a retarded sale! You gotta see this!” When I spoke up and asked that the r term not be used, I was told I was being too sensitive and whining. Really? Are you kidding me? A few people that spoke up against me were even parents. Of course, parents of typical kids, and they couldn’t understand WHY that term is so degrading. The admin did step and stand up for what was right, but man, I’m so tired of this thinking, and speaking, being the norm in our society. Granted, the person that posted that wasn’t inherently trying to attack myself or my son, BUT when I spoke up and asked that he not use that term, he made fun of me. It would have taken less effort to stop and think, and change his original post. I wasn’t asking for an apology, I was asking for more respectful terms to be used. Why make fun of me?
We, as a society need to stand together and embrace one another. None of us are better than any one else. And we need to start treating others the way WE want to be treated. We need to raise our children to do the same. Otherwise, this world is going to be way worse than it is now, twenty years from now.
I get that not everyone lives our lives, or walks in our shoes, so they may not understand that the terms they are using are hurtful, but please, try to think before you speak, or type. And if someone expresses that something is hurtful, try to understand what they are saying, and try not getting angry at them for conveying their feelings.
Share this message with every one you know because it takes more than one person to change the world <3