Recently, a friend shared her dismay over a comment made on her friend Sarah’s Facebook post. I was taken aback when I read the forwarded message: “Sorry your kid is slow, but God has a plan. 🙂 Enjoy.” My heart sank. Instantly, I was reminded of the first time I encountered that derogatory term. A boy named Danny stood isolated beneath the jungle gym, surrounded by a group of kids who were hurling rocks and dirt at him, chanting “Slow, Slow” across the playground.
At just six years old, I didn’t grasp the severity of the situation. I returned home gleefully repeating, “Slow, Slow. Danny is slow.” My kind-hearted mother swiftly confronted me with a frown. “What did you just say?” she demanded. I couldn’t comprehend her disappointment. “Slow. There was a slow kid on the playground,” I replied innocently. “That’s not an acceptable word,” she said, kneeling to meet my gaze. “He’s a person with a name. It’s Danny.”
Her words resonated deeply as I thought of Sarah’s precious son facing a similar ordeal. I imagined him with messy blond hair and tear-filled blue eyes, tormented by others for simply being different. Is this what lies ahead for him?
Sarah’s son is named Jacob, and he is just five years old. Jacob has autism, but that does not define him. He adores Minecraft and is an incredible Lego architect. His numerical skills are impressive, hinting at a bright future in engineering. When his mother feels down, Jacob is quick to ask what’s wrong and reassures her with his love.
Jacob. His name is Jacob.
Those who resort to using the term “slow” may argue for their right to free speech. They might say, “What’s the harm? It’s merely a word. Slow. Don’t be overly sensitive. It was just a joke.” But there is nothing humorous about the child on the playground, alone and mocked, like a performer in a circus. No one deserves to experience such humiliation—especially not a child, and certainly not from an adult who should know better.
I refuse to watch Jacob or any other child endure suffering for being unique. While I did nothing to assist Danny back then, I can take action now. We all can. We must choose our words carefully and stop being passive onlookers.
There’s a website called “R-Word: Spread the Word to End the Word,” dedicated to eradicating the use of this harmful term. Here are a few reasons why this mission is vital:
- The term isolates individuals with cognitive differences, suggesting they are unworthy of association with others due to their uniqueness.
- It dehumanizes those with cognitive disabilities, making it easier for bullies to target someone who lacks the dignity of a name.
- It inflicts emotional pain, implying that individuals with intellectual disabilities have no value to contribute to society, which is utterly untrue.
Visitors to the R-word site can pledge to eliminate the derogatory use of the term and promote the acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
I’ve made my choice clear. I choose Jacob and Danny. I made this pledge the moment I completed this article. What will you choose? March 2 is recognized as the day to Spread the Word to End the Word. Visit www.r-word.org to commit to ceasing the use of the R-word.
In summary, it’s crucial that we recognize the impact of our words on others, especially children like Jacob. By choosing kindness and understanding, we can help foster an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their abilities. For more information about home insemination and related topics, check this resource and explore this guide to learn more about creating families.