R-word.
Life has been jam-packed, hence my lack of entries lately. Although truthfully I have at least 14 blog posts boiling over in my brain, but haven’t had time to download them digitally.
The new job (which is going beautifully) has me fully maximizing my intellectual threshold capacity day after day — and am completely exhausted come sundown, am attempting to frequent the gym on a regular basis, diligently managing my nutrition in hopes of fitting back into 80% of my pants, participating in a social league’s dodgeball team, fostering friendships, crafting [insert any kind of high-level thinking piece of written work] for friends, among other activities. Oh oh, and how could I forget…reestablishing a healthy and meaningful romantic relationship that comes with supersize amounts of baggage in the meantime.
Despite the fact that day-to-day often feels like a crazy circus, keeping perspective in check on the regular is always high on my priority list. I’ve experienced far too many tragedies among loved ones to possibly wake up each morning not being unbelievably thankful. For that reason — I also find it incredibly gratifying to give back. If it were up to me, I’d be a professional volunteer to show my gratitude. But sadly, that compassionate career won’t pay my car note or grocery tab. So whenever possible in my 9-5 position, I do try to work for companies who ultimately have a greater good, preferably, have a client roster of non-profits. My current pro-pet gig will allow me to tap into the local SPCA. But beyond that, I don’t see much opportunity to work with the less fortunate. [Since writing this paragraph, a company-wide email was sent asking for donations to help victims in Haiti. I stand corrected…]
That’s why when my sorority’s alumnae chapter presented a chance to get in front of our national philanthropy on a local level, the Special Olympics, I shot back my RSVP with the quickness.
As a collegian, on only a handful of occasions, I was able to work hands-on with the Olympians around the state. From what I remember back in college, it was powerful, humbling, and amazing.
Also during my 4-year pursuit to obtain a Bachelors, I vividly remember a scene where the word ‘gay’ was used in my presence (in a derogatory manner) and a (unbeknownst to me at the time) gay man nipped that usage in the bud to the offender. I don’t know why that particular experience resonates with me til this day, but I feel the exact same way about the word “retarded.” Witnessing that dialogue moved me so much, likely because it isn’t often that someone who actually is ‘gay’ or ‘retarded’ gets to tell someone to their face, “Hey, buddy, that word offends me. Do you mind not using it?”
Last night I attended an informational session on how to get involved with Area 6, the Special Olympics local chapter in the city. Turns out it is super easy to help out, and I can’t wait. We heard from a Global Ambassador (and proud Olympian) who told his story on how the SO has touched him personally. What really pulled at my heart strings was the message that we’re all alike; we all want to win, we all have challenges to overcome, we all enjoy camaraderie and competition. But what makes these Olympians far more special than us is, they’ll hold hands while crossing the finish line, or wait for their friend to catch up to them before continuing, or give their opponents a hug at the end of the game.
Besides showing up at practices, games and meets, another opportunity appeared to put my skill sets to use. The organization is launching a new campaign at a grassroots level called Spread the Word to End the Word. As soon as I read it, I knew exactly which word they were referring to. I’m so excited that they’re building this initiative and believe it will gain traction as more and more advocates speak up. I’ve personally been ’spreading the word’ for over a decade now, whenever hearing the expression…”maybe you should reconsider not using that term, as you never know who you’re speaking to and if they have a loved one who is intellectually disable.” And every single time, the person looks at me with an ‘ah ha’ stare. I happen to have a cousin who falls into that category, and a dear friend who has a daughter with down syndrome. In Virginia alone, there are 80,000 people with intellectual disabilities.
So I ask you to take a pledge today, to give people with intellectual disabilities respect and the acceptance they deserve. Stop using the R-word, stop those who use it in front of you, disable negative stereotypes and stand up for these very special people.
