CAMPAIGN TO END BULLYING OF THE INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED
Fairhope resident Scot Sligh addressed the City Council in support of the nationwide campaign (click) -- highlighted tomorrow (March 2nd) to "spread the word to end the word . . . that word is retarded."
Sligh said he is the parent of 2 children -- one with Down Syndrome, the other with cerebral palsy -- and asked those present to "think about how this word affects people . . . and their families . . . folks fully capable of laughing, loving . . . enjoying life."
"Words like re-tard and retarded . . . demeaning words . . . give those with intellectual disabilities . . . low self-worth . . . we've all done it . . . a form of bullying . . . but let me tell you people (with disabilities) are the most pure-hearted people you will see . . . everybody has value . . . need to help people see that."
Sligh said he felt compelled to "stand up for those who can't -- to change hearts and minds."
Sligh: ". . . want to . . . challenge everybody . . . March 2nd . . . if you use the word . . . take the pledge to stop . . . (and) educate people about a different word . . . respect."
[Sligh is an employee of Fairhope's electric department.]
Fairhope resident Scot Sligh addressed the City Council in support of the nationwide campaign (click) -- highlighted tomorrow (March 2nd) to "spread the word to end the word . . . that word is retarded."
Sligh said he is the parent of 2 children -- one with Down Syndrome, the other with cerebral palsy -- and asked those present to "think about how this word affects people . . . and their families . . . folks fully capable of laughing, loving . . . enjoying life."
"Words like re-tard and retarded . . . demeaning words . . . give those with intellectual disabilities . . . low self-worth . . . we've all done it . . . a form of bullying . . . but let me tell you people (with disabilities) are the most pure-hearted people you will see . . . everybody has value . . . need to help people see that."
Sligh said he felt compelled to "stand up for those who can't -- to change hearts and minds."
Sligh: ". . . want to . . . challenge everybody . . . March 2nd . . . if you use the word . . . take the pledge to stop . . . (and) educate people about a different word . . . respect."
[Sligh is an employee of Fairhope's electric department.]
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