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she has a name...

Hi my name is Kim and I am a recovering bigot and ignorant sole…once was the day I agreed abortion was a woman choice…sole choice…once was ...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

no longer the king...

I am a huge sports fan…love the Green Bay Packers…just do…since football is out! basketball is in….I enjoy watching them…I understand it is just a game -a pastime…nothing more…I do not idolize the players and will teach my kids to have better heroes then ones on a playing field…considering you really do not know if they are “good guys” or not…so the other day when LaBron James used the “r” word…I thought wow…this is going to bring the people who say “just get over it” out! I knew the message boards would be full of the people saying...what is the big deal?...sure enough on ESPN comment boards...it was a prime example of why I should not read the comments…why this is a members only club…if you do not love someone that has a intellectual disability then you do not understand the power and degradation of the “r” word…when I was discussing it with Chad…Max asked the question…what is the “r” word…clearly I was not ready for this conversation with him…he is 5…I would rather talk about how sex works then this topic…but we had it…we explained what it is…how it hurts…and how it is not to be used…that we do it for human kind…not just for Maddie…but for anyone…we also talked about what to do if someone uses it in front of him…how he should handle it…what he could say…to much for a 5 year old… maybe…but he is Maddie’s big brother so he has already had to grow up to fast…

6 comments:

  1. WOW! That's a big discussion. Kudos to you for taking it on. I agree...I think I'd rather have the sex talk!!!

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  2. Good for you! I have been told so many times "it is just a word...do not get so worked up about it." It is so much more, and I will always get worked up because that word just feels like a stab to the heart. I really think somedat we will all make a difference in its use. Max will now make a difference too!!!:)

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  3. I have never liked that word although I must admit to having used it as a slur against myself at times. Now that I know my daughter and others with developments delays it has taken on a new meaning to me. It is degrading, and as insulting as any other negative term to discuss a group of people. It is also wrong. Some of the most amazing, smart people I have met have been people who fall into a "developmental disability category". The challenges that my daughter has overcome, the work she puts into just speaking, something I take for granted, leaves me speechless. The more that people meet people who are "diffrent" than they are the more that all people are accepted. Our typical children will help lead others to see the gifts and talents of all people! Thanks for letting me share.

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  4. I think you did a great job with this one! ANY time a child asks is the right time to explain...And I love how you said "for human kind, not just Maddie" Perfect!

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  5. Good job having the discussion. It's a hard one to have sometimes and I imagine having it with a kid would be extra hard. One of the articles I read on this had a great quote...something along the lines of how any racial slur, homophobic language, or using the r-word is all the same. I loved it because there is something there that most people can relate to.

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  6. Wow, not something I'd want to talk about with a 5 year old either, but I think you handled it PERFECTLY! Way to go Mom! :)

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