The Social Challenge Celebrates its first birthday! THE 'R' WORD - More than a word to people with developmental disabilities | March 2012

As posted at 'lifemywayblog':

Uploaded by lifemywayil on Aug 11, 2011


It’s been one year since The Social Challenge website went live. Since then, more than 22,000 actions from all parts of the globe have been taken to create a world rooted in equality and respect!

We’ve had a lot of folks weigh-in about how much they appreciate the website and appreciate the opportunity to address people directly about how the r-word affects them and their loved ones.

It’s an honor to provide the world with a forum to educate others, but as a user who wrote to us over the summer reminds, we are faced with opportunities to right prejudicial wrongs every day.

“Im only 15 and people in my school uses the R word every day, every hour, every moment. My brother goes to the same school. He has down syndrome and i love him to death. When people use that word, i tell them to knock it off. A lot of my friends try not to use the word at all.”

Another user contacted us last spring saying they are sometimes guilty of using the r-word, and their confession serves as a reminder that we’re not all perfect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be part of the change:

“This is a great idea! I have to admit, I fall into using this word every once and a while, without thinking about who it affects and hurts. This has helped me be more aware of my words and the power they carry. Thank you.”

It’s been an honor to have provided so many people with the opportunity to stand up for what they believe in. But without their participation, and without their resolute conviction, we wouldn’t have been able to create such a stalwart community.

There’s really nothing more we can offer other than a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s participated!

So as we close our eyes to blow out our first birthday candle, we’ll keep all of you in mind. We’ll make our birthday wish on your behalf, and in return we simply ask that you continue to advocate for a world where everyone is equal, independent and treated with the same level of dignity and respect that every human deserves.

The Social Challenge Year Two is now officially underway, log on and BE THE CHANGE!

http://www.thesocialchallenge.org/

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Please lets take a few minutes, visit The Social Challenge

Retard. More than a word to people with developmental disabilities. Challenge yourself, challenge others. Join us in creating a community rooted in equality.

http://www.thesocialchallenge.org/