tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post7024762714747932710..comments2023-10-26T04:27:02.682-06:00Comments on Some days it's not worth chewing through the leather straps: Repost: Everyone uses the word, what's your problemSkylersDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18264164502733912326noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-7059867412069594992011-03-12T09:09:57.978-07:002011-03-12T09:09:57.978-07:00Thank you for writing this. It touched on so many ...Thank you for writing this. It touched on so many of the feelings that I have when I have a certain word spat at me. I hate hearing it on TV, in jokes, and yes, sometimes I have to tolerate those people who are very sincere, but just don't know that the M-word is not cool. Even when we do find the courage to speak out against hurtful words, you are spot on in describing the reactions we get: "It's just a joke. Don't be so uptight. Don't you have better things to worry about etc, etc. " <br />Anyway, I don't want to take away from your experience, I just wanted to say that I totally, totally understand this. In solidarity. - G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-458132999953409532011-03-03T11:36:22.548-07:002011-03-03T11:36:22.548-07:00I'm guilty of tacking on the "tard" ...I'm guilty of tacking on the "tard" suffix to "celeb." But I think the word's meaning has become something else entirely over time, in that a lot of people don't even equate it with people with special needs anymore. I suppose that doesn't take away the negative feelings associated with it from years of abuse, though.BeckEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00119780316809151433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-14041170577367537732011-03-02T16:33:36.353-07:002011-03-02T16:33:36.353-07:00I remember this post. And I remember how the other...I remember this post. And I remember how the other kids used to call me a "retard" in Kindergarten because I had a British accent and they couldn't understand what I was saying. Ignorant jerks. :-(<br /><br />By the way, where have you been?! I miss you in Blog World. It's not the same without you.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-82033739344173488452009-09-18T19:21:48.178-06:002009-09-18T19:21:48.178-06:00Thank you Chris. I too hate this word - it gives ...Thank you Chris. I too hate this word - it gives me the same cold sweat and cringing feeling as the word that begins with "N" which I cannot even type. <br /><br />When my big brother was starting school, there was no integration of special needs children in our district. Robbie is deaf. As a result, he went to Gompers and a chain link fence separated their "playground" from ours (I was at Simis). We would meet at the chain link fence and visit at recess because I was shy and he was my hero.<br /><br />I remember my teacher making a comment about me hanging out at the fence and that I probably shouldn't because those children (and I quote), "are retarded and can be volatile". <br /><br />OMG. I was in the 4th grade and asked to go to the nurse because I was sick. At 9 years old I knew the word was hateful and demeaning and WRONG. <br /><br />This post made me cry... and call my brother, Robbie to tell him I love him (via CapTel of course).sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08838935957994302879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-4150656106448567932009-09-18T13:36:43.349-06:002009-09-18T13:36:43.349-06:00Excellent post, SkyDad.
Here's another one f...Excellent post, SkyDad. <br /><br />Here's another one for you:<br /><br />http://www.guzer.com/videos/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.phpReal Live Lesbianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272384473977144125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-72210636654358888572009-09-17T15:30:58.200-06:002009-09-17T15:30:58.200-06:00I was guilty as charged until I thought about it o...I was guilty as charged until I thought about it one day and decided I needed to stop saying it. Of course, I never used it except in silliness, but still.<br /><br />Great post, I love hearing about the challenges you continue to face being Skyler's parent.GETkristiLOVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03873004576844292852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-8671211050638752422009-09-16T12:15:40.647-06:002009-09-16T12:15:40.647-06:00wow, consider that word gone from my vocab, humbli...wow, consider that word gone from my vocab, humbling.cozzie laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14879058357710805378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-81029537638548519512009-09-16T11:43:51.622-06:002009-09-16T11:43:51.622-06:00Being a feminist, I am frequently accused of being...Being a feminist, I am frequently accused of being too PC, or not having a sense of humor, especially when I roll my eyes at, for example, commercial parodies that portray women as only being interested in housework and blow jobs.<br /><br />I think it is important to constantly question when a certain word is truly appropriate, and when you trading on stereotypes because your modes of expression are based on mental laziness or just plain meanness.<br /><br />Some groups are now advocating that the word "retard" be bleeped on television. More censorship is not the answer. What we need to do is to develop media that allow us to learn about and experience the lives of people like Skylar, because with understanding comes kindness and empathy.<br /><br />So, SkyDad, by discussing your experiences in a public forum you are doing exactly what needs to be done. Does Skylar's school invite their students to visit websites or view media that gives them information about the issues that are affecting Skylar? Because they should.vikkitikkitavihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01501311175482530001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-75792536712407100402009-09-16T09:28:38.186-06:002009-09-16T09:28:38.186-06:00Wow Chris...very poignant post. I felt it to the b...Wow Chris...very poignant post. I felt it to the bone as I must admit I have used the word "retard" in sentences where it does not belong. Never to someones face and not maliciously, but now more than ever I will think before I use words that should not be used in that context or in a derogatory manner. The videos are great eye openers. Thanks!Debraleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00624276181409558326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-53185902259039099342009-09-15T11:23:37.293-06:002009-09-15T11:23:37.293-06:00I didn't have anything great and thoughtful to...I didn't have anything great and thoughtful to say...but thought I'd leave my mark just so you know I read it.<br /><br />Much love to you and your wife and son!~Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09790803480647717864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-14232974841736478562009-09-15T09:25:50.667-06:002009-09-15T09:25:50.667-06:00There are limits to how sensitive I can be, but th...There are limits to how sensitive I can be, but there is a list of words that I do my best to stay away from. The R-word is way up on that list. It bugs me to see it used so casually.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134850383532818765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-86620354147171112862009-09-15T08:46:12.935-06:002009-09-15T08:46:12.935-06:00D*mn you Chris, you made me cry. I couldn't ge...D*mn you Chris, you made me cry. I couldn't get the first video, but the second one should be mandatory for all kids in school to watch. That girl had the voice of an angel, too.<br />When I was in high school, there was a "special" kid named Leopold who was constantly put down by the other kids. Then one day, he came in to school with a guitar, and played softly for the class while the rest of us studied. That experience turned a few minds around, but not all. I don't know why I thought of it just now, but I think it's a shame when some kids can't see the whole package in others.dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16084010090761068139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-42880819654294677612009-09-15T08:37:58.706-06:002009-09-15T08:37:58.706-06:00I feel the same way about the word "gay"...I feel the same way about the word "gay". I love <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEpBYKOs3ys" rel="nofollow">this new commercial</a> about the subject- it's the same principal. I understand some people think the world is getting overly PC, but these are two instances when that is decidedly not the case- it's just ignorant and offensive.rachaelgkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002691394373545956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-82917853516387129982009-09-15T08:07:25.145-06:002009-09-15T08:07:25.145-06:00You have mentioned your distaste for this word in ...You have mentioned your distaste for this word in a previous post and after reading it, I swore I would never use this word again. If you were looking to change just one person, brother pat yourself on the back, because you changed me!<br /><br />DocDochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16979621370660001312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-20562399785446422522009-09-15T07:16:59.409-06:002009-09-15T07:16:59.409-06:00perfectperfectlynette355https://www.blogger.com/profile/07162581667028276870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-63989123513745927452009-09-15T05:16:31.665-06:002009-09-15T05:16:31.665-06:00Beautiful speech! One person at a time is all it t...Beautiful speech! One person at a time is all it takes to make the changes that are so desperately needed.<br /><br />Skyler is incredibly lucky to have a dad like you. It shows in your posts and in all of the pics you post of him.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14869448149679702821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-63174860980790455732009-09-15T04:31:25.414-06:002009-09-15T04:31:25.414-06:00GREAT POST.
Sometimes it just takes a little unde...GREAT POST.<br /><br />Sometimes it just takes a little understanding to make a change.<br /><br />Nice work Sky's DadCandy's daily Dandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18172746492146546253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-53430251617015787112009-09-14T22:42:47.095-06:002009-09-14T22:42:47.095-06:00Thanks for writing this. I wrote something before,...Thanks for writing this. I wrote something before, that was probably a bit to long and it got deleted. I think because I sat on it too long before hitting "publish." But thanks again for writing this.Moderatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02318879290010704973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-65265663987721908612009-09-14T22:35:58.284-06:002009-09-14T22:35:58.284-06:00Man, now I feel like a re-ject.
And if we change ...Man, now I feel like a re-ject.<br /><br />And if we change the word to the more accurate "celebuturd", would that be better or too derivative?Scopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14671603955380819514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-41508361145028887972009-09-14T21:47:15.159-06:002009-09-14T21:47:15.159-06:00Thanks for the post, S.D. I don't really have...Thanks for the post, S.D. I don't really have anything to add. You've said it all.Some Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06899082993897012313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-5404625953232441872009-09-14T21:20:38.398-06:002009-09-14T21:20:38.398-06:00Hi Skylar's Dad - Saw your comments on Help in...Hi Skylar's Dad - Saw your comments on Help in a Handbag and decided to check your blog out. I think this is a great post and you seem like a terrific Dad. Good for you for posting this. I have a cousin with CP and I'm sure that people put this label on him too, and it breaks my heart to think about it, really. He is such a funny, sweet boy who brings so much joy to our family, as I'm sure Skylar does yours. I am so with ya.<br />See you around.<br />MoxSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07936590434342279468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-64196354516442902202009-09-14T20:20:55.700-06:002009-09-14T20:20:55.700-06:00Awww, Sky Dad, this was really beautiful and touch...Awww, Sky Dad, this was really beautiful and touching, especially the boy giving the speech. WOW!!Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-12689228874616111012009-09-14T20:04:04.895-06:002009-09-14T20:04:04.895-06:00My daughter introduced me to a Facebook group call...My daughter introduced me to a Facebook group called 'The R-word'. A retired school administrator that is now volunteering in the Special Olympics came into school and introduced the kids to the group. She also had t-shirts that spread the word. It was so cool. They had a pledge day where kids could pledge to not use the word. My kid nagged me to make sure I made the pledge... which I failed to get done on the day it was to be done. :-(<br /><br />I will be honest, from time to time the word slips out when I talk, with ZERO thought for the issues at hand. I'm not proud of me, but I'm proud to say that when it does, my kids are the first to admonish me. (They don't say boo when I throw the F-bomb around...)<br /><br />Great post, Chris. Check out the Facebook group!bubbleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04309024574089677684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229035.post-90030242023157975872009-09-14T18:38:49.400-06:002009-09-14T18:38:49.400-06:00Excellent post Chris, and two beautiful videos. I...Excellent post Chris, and two beautiful videos. I especially like the HS speech. I wish I could give that kid a big {{{HUG}}}! What an excellent teaching tool; I will be sharing this video for sure. I would guess that most people - who haven't been effected in some way by a child or individual with a developmental disability - probably haven't really given the "R" word much thought. But as much as we might try not to be overly sensitive it does go against the grain and can be down-right hurtful at times. Thanks for sharing and teaching.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010271317286100910noreply@blogger.com