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  • RESPECT RESPECT

    • From: jswim77
    • Description:

      What does the word “RESPECT”

      Mean to you?

      To me, it mean’s

      Don’t judge people

      For what they are

      But who they are inside

      Because everyone deserves a chance

      To be heard

       

      But then there are those

      That don’t RESPECT

      Those with intellectual disabilities

      By using the “R-WORD”.

      I am not going to say it.

      If you have watched “Tropic Thunder”

      You will know what I mean

       

      “Tropic Thunder” is out

      And, “The Ringer” is in

      Because Tropic Thunder

      Makes fun of those with intellectual disabilities

      No matter what Hollywood

      Or, Ben Stiller says

      Their just in it for the money

       

      Look at who the person is

      Before you say anything

      To that person

      Because it just might be

      Someone who will get you back

      For what you say

       

      “Sticks and stones

      Won’t hurt my bones

      But words can be deadly”

      If used wrong

    • Blog post
    • 10 months ago
    • Views: 630
  • fun fun

    • From: GatewayHS
    • Description:

      Mellanie blair                                                               

      April 1, 2009

       

      it is fun yestrday. Our class made T-shirts and we set up our lunch room so kids could take a piedge to ban the R-word.

      When the kids sign the pledge they got stickers we made and got to shred a paper with the R-word on it. After our hard

      work  we had some pizza. l enjoyed the day!

    • Blog post
    • 10 months ago
    • Views: 563
  • my speech at r-word assembly t my speech at r-word assembly today

    • From: donyknight
    • Description:

      Hi, my name is Dony Knight and I am a freshman here at Sutherlin. I am also a Special Olympics athlete and co-president of the Partners Club. I love my classes because school is fun and I like to hang out with my friends. I play a lot of sports like swimming, soccer, basketball, track and sofball. I like Special Olympics because I meet lots of cool people and we always have fun. I also like to compete and I like to win and it's hard for me to keep up on a regular team.

      In February, Mrs. McKnight, Hannah Kasal and I went to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho. We talked alot about the "R" word campaign and what we can do to spread the word.

      In the Partners Club we talk about the "R" word campaign. When you say the "R" word it makes people feel bad and it hurts my feelings and I don't want to hear you guys say it. Instead, you can call me a leader, a hero, or a human being, but please don'c call me the "R" word.

      Thank you all for coming and I love you guys!

       

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 907
  • R-Word Campaign R-Word Campaign

    • From: Finkster
    • Description:

      With the international kick-off of the R-Word campaign in site my school decided to put on a week long campaign to promote the cause to "Spread the Word to End the Word."  At East Anchorage High School in Alaska we are having a week long campaign to raise awareness of the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities rather than look down on people who are "different."  The goal of our event is to promote acceptance, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all people within our school.  We have fun activities planned to make the week a more fun and active event.  We are having a sprit week full of dress up days, sports activities, and a youth forum.  We are really excited to educate our school about how we feel when we hear people use the R-Word and we are going to do our best to have fun and make this week a week of fun and festive occasion! 

      Friday 3/27 - Band in the lunch commons playing fun music in support of the week long R-Word campaign the following week.

      Monday 3/30 - Dress up in red and go to the commons to put hand print on pledge banner.

      Tuesday 3/31 - Dress in blue or 3.31.09 t-shirt and attend youth forum to promote the acceptance of all people and talk about the negative use of the R-Word.

      Wednesday 4/1 - Wear green and participate in fun relays at lunch like the three legged race and other fun relays.

      Thursday 4/2 - Dress in black and attend basketball in the gym during lunch and play fun games of bumb, pig, and small pick up games.

      Friday 4/3 - Dress in yellow and show your spirit by attending floor hockey in the gym at lunch.

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 694
    • Not yet rated
  • Obama, Special Olympics, and b Obama, Special Olympics, and bowling: a Friendly Competition

    • From: yarndog
    • Description:

      I watched President Obama on the Tonight show the other night and to be honest I didn't catch the Special Olympics reference.  After hearing of the commentary I watched that part again and saw what was being referred to.  Personally I don't think he was making fun at the expense of the Special Olympics, he was poking fun at himself and his lack of talent on the bowling alley.  I see where the Head of Special Olympics took offense at his remark and President Obama has already called him and apologized and invited Special Olympic Bowlers to the White House.  Rather than take his remark too seriously and be defensive or even indignant or hurt about it why not have fun with it and turn it into an enormous opportunity without pointing any fingers?  After all many have made jokes at Obama's expense and at the expense of his being African American, right?  If I have a finger pointing at you I also have 3 more pointing at me. 

      Here is my idea.  I think there should be an "Official" challenge to President Obama for a Bowling contest between him and Special Olympic Bowlers.  All in good fun of course.  Winning or losing isn't the objective, but a chance to have fun with his comment and to highlight the ingenious and wonderful things Special Olympians accomplish.  He has already invited bowlers over.  Why not go this little step further.   From a brainstorming perspective, if he loses, he has to highlight Special Olympics on a National or even International stage.  His heart is in the right place, and this is a unique opportunity to use the Power of the Presidency and his gift for Communcation to highlight a great organization.  There could be a "big" buildup to the "Match of the Century" all the while education and promoting what the Special Olympics do.  All of this in good fun with no finger pointing and no hurt feelings.  We already know the Special Olympics Bowlers are going to win anyways so have fun with it.  Well, that is my idea.  Thanks for listening. 

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 763
    • Not yet rated
  • I'm Not Apologizing I'm Not Apologizing

    • From: FreetoSpeak
    • Description:

      I am going to continue using the word "retard" to describe someone who is obstinately stupid and refusing to consider facts or logic in a situation. Now, you may think that I am such a person. Guess what? I don't carewhat you think! I realize that "fool" is a more appropriate word, but I am a free citizen and can speak as I choose. You can stuff your politically correct nonsense.

      No one who is being truly insensitive to people with learning disabilities is going to stop making fun of them. I

    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 1085
    • Forum: General...
  • Obama's hurtful words Obama's hurtful words

    • From: BowlingDowns
    • Description:

      I am a very strong person I am told. But when the man that I helped with my love and talk about him makes fun of me and my friends, that makes me sad...  I BOWL GOOD! I am not as good as other people, but I am trying harder to be better.  I will be better.

      Please go to:

      http://digg.com/politics/Olympian_Caitlin_Cox_said_Obama_s_words_Made_her_sad

      People say that he did not mean it but when people are nice they never say things like that. I am sad but I dont like to be sad. It hurts sometimes. I want to be like my friends. I m not special. I can do anything he can do too. Now I could even be a President...

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 1171
  • You are here because . . . You are here because . . .

    • From: lchapman99
    • Description:

      Would you tell your child that they are in the Special Olympics because they are "less capable"? Or would you say because it is a wonderful opportunity to compete and have fun?

       

      11 months ago

    • Views: 230
    • Forum: General...
  • Obama on Leno Obama on Leno

    • From: coach_kevin98
    • Description:

      I do have a big problem with Obama's comment. He equated his poor bowling score to being in Special Olympics. Whether he was poking fun at himself or not, he was using that same demeaning attitude that Special Olympics is for people who are "less than". He wasn't good enough so he was ready for Special Olympics. There is no other spin you can put to it. It was demeaning. From the President of the United States. On national TV. I suppose all those videos on YouTube are OK too because they

    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 15
    • Forum: General...
  • Obama on Leno Obama on Leno

    • From: lchapman99
    • Description:

      As the father of a Special Olympian (soccer, basketball, track, BOWLING) I want to shout to the world that I had no problem at all with the president's remark on the Tonight Show this evening.   He was clearly poking fun at himself and not Special Olympians.

      And you?

       

      -- Larry Chapman

          Fort Collins, CO

    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 2210
    • Forum: General...
  • Spread the Word, a Q&A Spread the Word, a Q&A

    • From: ryaneades
    • Description:

      Recently I gave an interview for a high school student (Fan Community member BigOtaku) and I thought that as we approach March 31st and the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign continues to gain momentum, that this might serve as a helpful resource as you find yourselves in conversations with friends and family who want you to explain to them what it is that we are doing.

      The Q&A transcript is below.  Thanks.

       

      Q: What do think when you hear the phrase, "Spread the Word, to End the Word."?

      A: I think of how powerful and inspiring youth activiation can be in today's world. This campaign came about as a collaboration of 120 youth with and without intellectual disabilities who wanted to make a difference. It's inspiring.

       

      Q: Do you feel as though ignorance can cause people to say such hurtful things to others?

      A: There will always be hurt in the world, it is human nature. I think that with the R-word in particular, it is a lack of exposure and a lack of education that has gotten us to where we are today. I know I used to say 'retarded' all the time to describe a fun night or something stupid that I did. I never meant any malice towards people with intellectual disabilities. I was lucky enough to then be exposed to athletes of Special Olympics and I immediately came to the understanding of why the R-word is hurtful and I haven't used it since. So yes, the ignorance of the 'why' is a big reason, but the lack of inclusive education or social interaction is even more important. When you are exposed to something early in life, you just accept it as part of life. When things are hidden away in a corner as people with intellectual disabilities were for so long in our society, and you don't get exposed to difference until later in life it is human nature to be nervous or hesitant around difference. The really sad thing is some people act out against difference because they are unwilling to make the effort to say, "I'll learn something new, maybe it'll be good for me!" They'd rather say, "Be more like me or leave me alone and go away."

       

      Q: Some people may think that "Spread the word, to end the word" is nothing more than hyper-sensitivity, what do you feel about this?

      A: The hypersensitive or "PC" argument is one we hear a lot, and I understand where it’s coming from, but I think it misses the point. We also hear the freedom of speech argument a lot, which really misses the point. We hear that 'retard' is a medical diagnosis and therefore it should be fine to say. Of course the medical diagnosis 'mental retardation' is just that, a diagnosis. But there is no denying that the words 'retard' and 'retarded' have taken on distinct connotations within the vernacular of our society that are used interchangeably in describing something that was less than ideal, or something that was way out there or different. So while many people know they would not call a disabled person 'retarded' to their face, what they don't understand is when they say their friend is being 'retarded' they are saying their friend is being less than ideal, or acting way out there or different. This makes people with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones feel as though society regards them as less than human. Our country has a history of changing its vernacular out of sensitivity to several groups of our fellow human beings. This change came about because those groups fought for the right to have their humanity respected as much as the next person. People with intellectual disabilities are in general predisposed to give love, to care, not to look for a fight. While there are many people with ID that are articulate and will go toe to toe with you in a debate, they are the exception within the population. Lastly, to this point I'd say this - when a human being tells another human being, "when you say this it hurts me. Could you please stop?" How do you argue with that? Why would you not afford them the same respect you'd want in return?

       

      Q: Are there phrases or words that are worse or more hurtful than others that someone might say to a person with a mental disability?

      A: There are many words, phrases and hurtful things to say. Too many to list. Here's the important thing - people with ID are people first. Do not label them. Retard is a label. A disability is not a person, but rather, people have disabilities. Think about it like this - if you break your foot, you are not a 'broken footed person' you are a person with a broken foot. So always remember to see the person first and use that people first language, that's the best way to respect everyone's humanity.

       

      Q: Do you feel as though this cause is supported enough, or could more awareness be much more helpful?

      A: More awareness is always helpful. Until people start to recognize the humanity of people with intellectual disabilities as equal to their own, and as worthy of respect as their own, there will always need to be more awareness. Think about the movie "Tropic Thunder." Most people just excused the movie's portrayal of people with ID and the continued use of the word 'retard' as funny and in context. Well, swap out 'nigger' or 'Jew' or 'spic' or 'faggot' for the word 'retard' in that five minute scene where Ben Stiller says 'retard' 17 times. What do you think the reaction would have been? Here's the biggest rub - the makers of that film screened it for African Americans, for Veterans, for just about every group they were 'offending' in the movie. Not one single group who advocates or supports people with ID was invited to screen the movie and offer feedback. It was never a thought in their mind to invite us to the table, never a thought that it MIGHT be a problem. So until the same respect is shown to people with ID, more awareness will always be needed.

       

      Q: Is this cause worth the effort, can something really change?

      A: Apathy is the worst kind of existence. Why do anything if nothing can change? I know things can change. For pete's sake, we just elected the first African American President of the United States. What do you think someone interviewing Martin Luther King Jr in 1963 before the March on Washington would have said about that!!! In my own experience I've changed people attitudes by engaging them in conversation and educating them about what it is exactly that they are doing. My own example from the earlier answer from when I used the R-word is proof that change can happen. So what if it's one person at a time? I know I have co-workers, friends and advocates who are all out there doing the same thing with the goal of one person, one attitude at a time. Are you going to wake up tomorrow and never hear the R-word again? Probably not. But maybe our work will allow my daughter, who is due to be born this July, to live in a world where all people are respected.

       

      Q: How do you feel about John C. McGinley’s support of this cause?

      A: I'm really excited John C. is involved. With Max, his 11 year old son born with Down Syndrome, he's been a great ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society for years. The truth is we are a celebrity obsessed culture so it's great to have a celebrity ambassador for this campaign because it’s just another way to get people to pay attention and hear the message. That's the most important thing, to get people to hear the message, because we all believe that as a whole, the person is good and we know what we are doing is right, so it only stands to reason that we believe the more people hear our message the more people will come to understand the importance of respecting people with intellectual disabilities. Plus, I cannot lie; I've been a HUGE 'Scrubs' fan for years, so it's great to have the big guy on board!

       

      Q: Why do you think people make fun of someone who is mentally challenged, or has mental disabilities?

      A: That goes back to my earlier point of fearing difference. It takes effort to reach out and learn something new. It's easier to just laugh at difference so you can feel better about yourself for being too much of a coward to make the effort to learn and accept difference. The path of least resistance transcends much more than people with intellectual disabilities though, it's true of how people react to all differences from sexual orientation, to religion, to skin color or heritage. People fear what they do not know. The weak act out through violence, mockery and hate. The strong reach out with a willingness to include and learn, then accept their own inevitable failures during the process, but continue to try again and again.

    • Blog post
    • 11 months ago
    • Views: 1088
  • jocko99

    • Member
    • Points:0
    • Views: 471
    • Since: 1 year ago
    • Not yet rated
  • lexie

    • Member
    • Points:320
    • Views: 702
    • Since: 1 year ago
  • Fun shot with athletes Fun shot with athletes

    • From: karl_hejlik
    • Description:

      Healthy Athlete Photos

    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 720
    • Not yet rated
  • Fun Fitness Fun Fitness

    • From: karl_hejlik
    • Description:

      Healthy Athlete Photos

    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 495
    • Not yet rated
  • Bravery & Unity Bravery & Unity

    • From: dbuchanan43
    • Description:

           Being part of there lifes helps me bring out the good that I have inside me. For I was one of those people that always never understood why they acted the way they did until I started to work with them and started to get involved with them. Now I understand that they can do whatever we can. But they have more heart and spirit to achieve what they desire. Based off there determination and hard work that htey do. And now I feel like they have became a part of my family. Even though

    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 199
    • Forum: General...
  • Everyone has fun at Opening Everyone has fun at Opening

    • From: ryaneades
    • Description:
    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 376
    • Not yet rated
  • My faverit moment My faverit moment

    • From: greenhillbeth
    • Description:

      I loved it all but if i had to just pick one thing it would have to be the parad of athletes. I was in it. I was on team USA. I just loved seeing all the othere athletes marching in. Even though they all went in before my team. Its amazing to see all of them from all over the world. All had there own unique stlye of close and way they caried teamselfs. It was moving to see them all siting next to eachother like one big family.

      The second thing would have to be the bands. just because they we fun

    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 192
    • Forum: General...
  • Well I am back at home from tg Well I am back at home from tghe world winter games

    • From: jcroo00
    • Description:

      Well well good afternoon everyone!! Well I had so much fun from the world winter games. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone and to the IGM'S and now I am back at home getting ready to go a special olympic meeting in my county... So I will post more later on tonight... JessicaSmile 

    • Blog post
    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 508
    • Not yet rated
  • Regionals Regionals

    • From: hannahkasal
    • Description:

      February 14th, 2009

      Yesterday was basketball Regionals at Roseburg High School.  There were 5:5 basketball games going on all day for youth and adults.  3:3 basketball games also going on at Fremont Middle School.  And Individual Basketball Skills going on for Youth and Adults of all ages at the High School.  To being this day we had Opening Ceremonies as usual, and Dony Knight (athlete) and myself (partner) spoke up and explained to the crowd that we had just got back from Boise, Idaho attending the Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 World Winter Games.  I explained that one of our sessions was about the R-word and how we all needed to change our vocabulary to exclude that word. The R-word is an inapropriate word that discriminates others.  We need to modivate the youth to get more involved with Special Olympics and get to know Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Along with that... As the day went on... I presented teams and individuals with awards.  That was a great experience.  To not only have fun and see the happiness in everyone, I got some Speaking skills which that indeed I needed. Congradulations all I hope you all had a great day! =]

    • Blog post
    • 1 year ago
    • Views: 641
    • Not yet rated
Results 81 - 100 of 156

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