We should choose our words wisely......
By LiveLove
@LiveLove (443)
United States
October 23, 2009 3:52pm CST
It was when I was in high school and a befriended someone because I don't enjoy seeing people alone. It was hard to understand what she was saying sometimes because she was handicapped. But one day she came up to me and told me how a guy violated her and she cried after talking about it. I asked her had she told a teacher or better yet a police officer and she told me that no one would ever believe her because she's "retarded". She said it in a way that made me believe she was ashamed because of the way she was. Probably due to teasing or how the term is constantly used in a negative way. I just kept telling her to tell someone but she kept saying that no one would believe her as if her handicap makes her less credible. As far as I know, she didn't tell authorities and she remained silent for a while after telling me about her troubles. Even I was guilty of misusing the term because at first I didn't know about her problem and I got so frustrated with her that I asked her was she "retarded" and she said yes and broke down crying. I never felt so ashamed of something I said in my left and I don't use that term anymore. I guess I never really realized how deep words could cut. Have you ever been in such a situation or witnesses something like that?
2 responses
@good2go2001 (915)
• United States
23 Oct 09
I have gone threw similar situations with my children because they are autistic. When you tell someone your child has special needs they sometimes assume that means the child is not intelegent. If one of my children has a issue when out on public like if they have a seizure alot of people stare at them like they are afraid of them. Its so had to get past what some people think about people with special needs.
@LiveLove (443)
• United States
23 Oct 09
That's really sad that people would stare at your child rather than try to make sure that everything is okay. I have learned on my own that special needs doesn't mean stupid but rather that individual have different ways of doing things. Unfortunately, there are people who are not use to being around individuals that they believe are "different". I do hope that autism becomes widely recognized and dealt with accordingly because a lack of understanding shouldn't mean cruelty towards people who have no control over their condition. I wish you and your family much peace in the future and don't late uninformed people get to you or your children.
@snowy22315 (170025)
• United States
23 Oct 09
i am always in favor of helping the underdog. I think there are many things that can work to help make people's lives better that is part of the reason that I am working as a social worker. I like o try to make people lives better if it is within my power to do so.
