The "R" Word

What does the term "retarded" mean to you.  To some people it is just a term that they use to insult their friend who is acting a little weird or different as a joke.  To others it is viewed as a hurtful term that is offensive to people with intellectual disabilities.  If you were a child with intellectual disabilities, how would you feel is people called you a retard?  Chances are you would not like being called that.  Many people do not realize it, but when you call someone a retard just joking around, that person can be truly offended by the term.  

People with intellectual disabilities are no different from rest of us.  We are all just people.  Nobody is perfect and we all have our own problems.  Many people do not treat those with intellectual disabilities with the respect that they deserve.  Those with intellectual disabilities should not be discriminated just because they are a little different.