I am an advocate for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. When something is happening that offends me I have to do something about it. The use of the R word is way too common. Children are using it. Children who don’t even understand the word’s meaning.

It’s heard on TV, the radio and in movies. One movie in particular is “Tropic Thunder”. I think this has been the breaking point for activists. There is now a backlash against this movie and a challenge sponsored by such groups as Special Olympics, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, United Cerebal Palsy and others to stop using the R word. Their website has a place for you to post your challenge. There are badges available for you to place on your blogs too.

On my blog Brain Foggles, I wrote a post about this challenge and included a video you may want to view. Please spread the word, take the challenge and teach others, especially your children about how hurtful one word can be.