There is Strength in Words!

Recently I re-posted via St. Ann Center’s facebook, a link in support of a program that is supported by Best Buddies called “Spread the Word to End the Word.” This program is striving to support the elimination of the derogatory use of the word ‘retard(ed)’ from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

Someone commented on our facebook page essentially saying that “we have the problem with the use of the r-word, that people with disabilities don’t care about the use of that word.” As the administrator of the page I removed that comment from our page because I felt it was inappropriate.

I would like to respond to that posting because I feel it is necessary to explain why the posting was removed. The person who made that comment was somewhat correct. It is the people who love and care for those with special needs that care about the use of the r-word. It is true that some people with disabilities do not understand that they are being referred to using the “r-word,” but there are some who do understand.

I have a child with Down syndrome and he is, in fact, mentally retarded – though that clinical connotation is no longer used. Clinically he is referred to as cognitively delayed, not mentally retarded. The denotation of the word ‘retard’ is ‘slow.’ When people in casual speech, use the r-word it is usually used as a derogatory expression meaning “stupid” or “dumb” not “slow.” It hurts me, yes me personally, when I hear people ignorantly use the r-word in casual conversation. My son does not care about the use of the r-word, but his brothers, his sister, his grandparents and his parents do!

Below is an excerpt taken from the website r-word.org:

“The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech.

How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision

When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity. “

I would like to hear what you think. Please feel free to comment below.

A Sea of Beautiful People

During a visit to St. Ann Center I came across a group of people watching a movie on a large-screen TV– Finding Nemo. As I looked away from the colorful schools of fish on screen I realized that I was in sea of people myself!

I saw not only children, but elderly people and people with disabilities. All of these different groups of people were sitting down in front of the TV like an extended family. I thought to myself: “You’re in St. Ann Center, a place like no other.”

Sights like this, as common as they are at St. Ann's, never cease to amaze me. Everyday you can see something unique that can easily be taken for granted. It makes me wonder, why do we live in ways that separate us from one another? Why doesn't everyone want to be like this? I know it’s not typical for every family to include elderly, children and people with disabilities, yet that's what is unique about St. Ann Center. It is inclusive-everyday.

Written by Darrell Garrett, Cardinal Stritch Student Intern

A Visit to the Respite Center

There are so many different units and services here at St. Ann Center that if you were walking in for the first time, you probably wouldn’t know where to begin. One of them, the respite center, is a place where people can bring their loved ones, usually frail from age or challenged with a disability, when they need someone to care for them for a while. Stays are no longer than 20 days. The respite area has 9 rooms, each with distinctive décor and cultural theme. Guests may stay in the Irish room or the Polish room, for example. Guests are invited to "feel at home" during their stay, and are treated like family. A departing guest recently remarked, "I loved my stay and can't wait to return!"

Marian, one of the respite staff, said “St Ann's is a wonderful place to work. This job is a blessing to have, for more reasons than one. I was able to bring my daughter to work when she could not be in childcare. When my car was snowed in and they were able to come get me. The spirit is wonderful here.”

Now, if you can name a place where not only the service is excellent, but the people providing that service genuinely enjoy being there, then I'll be happy to say that I was wrong when I thought “there's no community in the world like St. Ann Center!”
Written by Darrell Garrett (Cardinal Stritch College)