Spread the Word to End the Word

Spread the Word to End the Word

-- March 7, 2012 is the National "Spread the Word to End the Word" Awareness Day --

The "R-WORD" (retarded) is a slang for Mental-Retardation, a term that doctors or professionals use to identify children or persons with an intellectual impairment. Unfortunately, in today's world, the term is used loosely to insult or call some one "stupid". It is important to remember that people with Mental Retardation are NOT stupid nor shall they be the root of all insults. 

Regardless of whether it is meant to be hurtful or rude, IT IS.

Please note: As of October 10, 2010, the term Mental Retardation was officially changed to "Intellectual Disability" from a law passed by President Obama known as Rosa's Law.

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Have you ever heard a friend, colleague, family member, or even stranger use the word 'retard' or 'retarded'? I would say that approximately 99% of Americans have used or heard this word used in a derogatory manner. 

The most common phrases that I witness are...

"That's so retarded"- "Stop being such a retard" - "You're retarded"

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It IS offensive. It IS rude. It IS hurtful. It IS wrong.

To family members

.friends.

.loved ones.

.victims.

.people.

So my question to you is this.

What are YOU going to do about it?

I challenge you to take a stand. Confront others and educate them about the derogatory meaning of the r-word. Encourage others to eliminate the word. Be a change. Help make a difference.

Click here to take the pledge

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::As of March 6, 2012::

 people on the world wide web have used the r-word 

157,015 times 

Hope for Kyli & Dustin♥

I posted last week about a couple named Dustin & Kyli who are in desperate need of medical care and are way over $100,000 in medical debt and cannot afford health care. Also - because of their pre-existing conditions & disability, they are frequently denied health care :(

 -----------------------------------------

Dustin suffers from gastroparesis and is loosing weight at an unhealthy rapid rate & unable to keep food down...he is getting sicker by the minute. He also suffers from a condition known as EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) which is a defect in your collagen production that causes a multitude of symptoms. 

On top of ALL this, they both suffer from a form of Dysautonomia, known as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

If you would like to help, you can donate or bid on some wonderful items on the fund-raising page here...

"Hope for Kyli & Dustin"

ANY help you all could provide would be greatly appreciated :)

 (As a sufferer of POTS/Dysautonomia & EDS, I know how difficult these conditions can be. I am so blessed to still be covered under my mothers insurance, but due to pre-exisiting conditions that people suffer from, one day, I too will be in outrageous medical debt and only hope that if I was ever caught in a bind, I would have fellow friends that would help me out as well.)

If you do not wish to donate/make a bid
(as I know asking for money is a very difficult thing)...  

I (we) would greatly appreciate it if you could spread the word through a blog post, just to help get the word out! Any form of advertisement would be so incredibly beneficial and extremely appreciated :)

"I am only one, but I am one.  

 I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  

And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. "

~Edward Everett Hale

♥

xoxo

-erinj0

For more information on Dustin &

Kyli, please visit their youtube channel

One Million Cards=ONE wish

YOU have the power to help someone's wish come true!

Max is a 12 year old cancer patient from Iowa. When he was in kindergarten, he was sadly diagnosed with Leukemia and has been struggling ever since. According to the DesMoinesRegister, Max now has a relapse of Leukemia in 85% of his Bone Marrow.

Photo Credit: http://act.mtv.com/tag/mighty-max-low/

His Wish?

To receive ONE MILLION get well cards. 

This young boy doesn't want money or expensive trips, just cards from people all over : )

As of 20 March 2011, Max has already received 19,966 cards and counting from people ALL OVER THE WORLD. 

He also has received a handwritten card from former president George W. Bush 

PLEASE - Be a part of this movement. You can help make a child's wish come true!

They can be handmade, they can be store bought...

whatever you would like!

WANT TO HELP?
HERE'S HOW!

Here is where to send you card to Max!

Mighty Max Low

PO Box 111

Neola, IA 51559 USA

Click here to join the facebook group

or

Click here to read more on the article about Mighty Max Low

Please note: This is not a scam - 
Max is currently receiving treatment in the city which I reside, at the local Children's Hospital

♥erinj0