tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post6981521008988506053..comments2024-03-28T03:35:52.176-04:00Comments on Love That Max : This is exactly why the word "retard" hurts: All together now!Ellen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-40271662673277762682018-03-21T15:41:22.796-04:002018-03-21T15:41:22.796-04:00I do not even know the way I ended up here, howeve...I do not even know the way I ended up here, however I thought this <br />submit was once great. I do not understand who you aree howeer <br />definitely you're going to a famous blogger in the event you are not already.<br />Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-18705341728167529222018-03-21T15:18:34.342-04:002018-03-21T15:18:34.342-04:00Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazi...Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing effort.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-1016196912298759602014-02-25T04:58:58.957-05:002014-02-25T04:58:58.957-05:00Go to therapy, get help for your guilt about causi...Go to therapy, get help for your guilt about causing your son to be intellectually and physically "inadequate", then get on with your life. Umm how is Max "inadequate"? <br /><br />Oh and maybe YOU should go to therapy since you seem to have this crazy idea that all children with disabilities are "inadequate". FYI most parents to children with extra needs are NOT responsible for causing the kid's disability. You are a ignorant fool. It’s not about being oversensitive or playing word police. <br /><br />It’s about respect, equality, dignity. These are the basic qualities of life which should granted to ALL kids regardless of their needs."Taranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78175069490766501172013-09-04T01:34:55.856-04:002013-09-04T01:34:55.856-04:00First of all i hate that word and i have knock som...First of all i hate that word and i have knock somebody out. Calling me retard i hate that word it may be freedom of speach some ppl have a metal illiness when you call them that R word it effects them mentallyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457635178808296171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-66638796760335939842013-05-29T11:57:09.303-04:002013-05-29T11:57:09.303-04:00Are you lot aware of the wise saying a word is onl...Are you lot aware of the wise saying a word is only a word even if the word hurts? Plus the context the word is used is also important. Third, asking people to stop using the word retard is a lot to ask. I think you all need to read this brilliantly written article on the subject. http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/03072012-why-i-wont-ban-the-word-retard/<br />Retard used other than to offend the disabled does not bother me either and I swear you lot want to be offended. Policing language is a waste of time. tharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06178926420365797564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-17587490570742202092013-05-29T11:13:20.663-04:002013-05-29T11:13:20.663-04:00Annie I agree with you 100%. It would be silly to ...Annie I agree with you 100%. It would be silly to unlegalise the word. tharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06178926420365797564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-27702259047024854092013-02-22T20:23:56.356-05:002013-02-22T20:23:56.356-05:00Why does this word exist?
Therefore encourage one...Why does this word exist?<br /><br />Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 5:11Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-70002332254866892692012-12-27T16:33:55.624-05:002012-12-27T16:33:55.624-05:00It is offensive to everyone to demean one person b...It is offensive to everyone to demean one person by comparing them with another group. It is no different than using the n-word or calling someone gay. Cranky Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13730530755076238060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-13460028662917260062012-10-28T13:04:45.540-04:002012-10-28T13:04:45.540-04:00I am both a parent with a child with an intellectu...I am both a parent with a child with an intellectual disability and a special educator. I think of that IEP meeting in the fall of 2010, when I was given the test results that indicated my child had an intellectual disability. At the meeting, the term "Mental Retardation" was used. I hear the word "retard" used on an almost daily basis as an insult, and, at that time, it felt as if the team was calling my son an "idiot" or a "moron." I knew that it was only time before my son would be identified as intellectually disabled, but it still hurt to hear the word "retardation" used to describe him. Rosa's Law had just passed and I informed the team of the new terminology. I was relieved that the terminology in his IEP would include "intellectual disability," rather than "mental retardation."<br />And so, I don't think I've ever found myself on the same page as Ann Coulter, but I do think she has a valid point. We should be just as offended if she had used the word "imbecile" to describe the President of the United States. These words now virtually mean the same thing. <br />The reason I think that it is still hard for us to accept the word "retard" purely as an insult just like "stupid" or "moron" is that the shift is still too new. Perhaps we haven't quite gotten there yet. But, we really can't have it both ways.Kathleennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-25913579351298040262012-10-28T09:34:50.032-04:002012-10-28T09:34:50.032-04:00He apologized. I'm sure you SAW that when you...He apologized. I'm sure you SAW that when you looked up your little gotcha citation, too--but that ruined your pathetic little narrative. Here's the link, at the same website where you grabbed your "Nyah, nyah" cite: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=7129997&page=1#.UI0yScXAcms <br /><br />Has Coulter apologized for "retard?" Has Money Boo Boo (Romney) apologized for "cripple?" Let me give you a hint-it's a two letter answer, the first letter is N, the second O. And they never will, because they are mean, selfish, greedy people who don't care about anything save money and themselves. People are known by the company they keep and when they keep company with politicians who want to slash benefits for children and elderly, give kids less education, not more, and toss them to the wolves when it comes to health care, that all becomes clear. This IS a partisan issue--one party cares about social justice, a basic safety net and dignity for all, and people with disabilities, the other doesn't. If you can't connect the dots, I can't help you. Keep this in mind: You can't take it with you, and no matter what, one day you'll die. You can leave a legacy of love and caring or you can focus on making money you won't take to your grave. Felicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-70768150628195560942012-10-26T22:19:24.685-04:002012-10-26T22:19:24.685-04:00Anon, I'm truly happy that words have very lit...Anon, I'm truly happy that words have very little effect on you. I would posit, then, that you have little if no empathy. Good day to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-39806998043966570442012-10-25T23:23:57.976-04:002012-10-25T23:23:57.976-04:00E-x-a-c-t-l-y.E-x-a-c-t-l-y.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-64424326774457153532012-10-25T23:23:24.789-04:002012-10-25T23:23:24.789-04:00No worries there, Anonymous. No worries there, Anonymous. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-81145185882159037852012-10-25T22:56:40.545-04:002012-10-25T22:56:40.545-04:00What you saw *was* immoral beyond belief, and than...What you saw *was* immoral beyond belief, and thank God that you tried so hard to shut it down. I haven't spent over half my life helping people with intellectual disabilities to learn life skills and fighting for integration so that they can be cloistered in sheltered workshops doing boring, unfulfilling work at slave wages. And I'm the first to agree that people with intellectual disabilities should learn about their disabilities, so that they can explain to people what they need when necessary, and that there's nothing about having a disability that makes them any better or any worse than anyone else. Just different.<br /><br />"Mental retardation", while having innocuous beginnings as diagnostic criteria, is such a negatively-loaded term, emotionally, that I can't imagine doing that sort of work with people using it. Even if they asked me too, I think I'd have to explain that I preferred not to, and why. It's not a term that says to me. It's a word that's become synonymous with oppression, not pride, and the self-advocates with the agencies in which I've done most of my work have said that they preferred that staff use other terminology. <br /><br />You're right, banning the word isn't going to change the underlying issues (and I'm not in favour of banning words anyway). I'd prefer that society organically reached a point where it didn't feel the need to *use* these words..."retard" feels like a barometer to me of where attitudes are lying. And when a Cornell educated lawyer thinks that's okay to imply that the President is a loser by calling him a retard, that makes me sad.<br /><br />If you want to continue this discussion, you can email me at girlwithcane@email.com...I don't want to dominate Ellen's wall! :)GirlWithTheCanehttp://www.girlwiththecane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-45596598022192953282012-10-25T22:27:30.486-04:002012-10-25T22:27:30.486-04:00I don't have a post (yet) however I wanted to ...I don't have a post (yet) however I wanted to show my support with a favorite quote:<br /><br />" Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead<br /><br />Carry on brave parents, caregivers, family, friends, teachers, therapists, doctors and supporters. Our small group can make the difference. <br /><br />((hugs)) to you Ellen!<br /><br />~ JamieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-85224252418995133952012-10-25T21:13:55.566-04:002012-10-25T21:13:55.566-04:00Thanks Ellen for continuing to call out Ann Coulte...Thanks Ellen for continuing to call out Ann Coulter on the r-word. My take on it is here:<br />http://www.jewishjournal.com/jews_and_special_needs/item/ann_coulter_needs_some_serious_behavioral_interventionMichelle K. Wolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-55570248029610664382012-10-25T18:41:19.837-04:002012-10-25T18:41:19.837-04:00The one thing i have learned as a mother of an exc...The one thing i have learned as a mother of an exceptional child, witnessing the struggle of those born with a disability or two, or three, or four, is that the real R word related to this extraordinary population who live our lives that we bitch about, but with a hundred sack of potatoes on their back everyday, is Respect.judithfeldmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-50110776547608071672012-10-25T16:59:48.665-04:002012-10-25T16:59:48.665-04:00To the person who wrote the above statement "...To the person who wrote the above statement "she's such an ellen": You're abussive, and not helping to have a rational discussion. This issue affects me, and while I don't agree with the person writing this blog, that doesn't mean it's appropriate to attack her. Grow up.<br /><br />If you can't use critical thought without being nice to people, you'll never function in having a rational discussion. Be nice, or shut up!<br /><br />-- the Anon guy with OCD.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-21320759623164599352012-10-25T16:49:00.052-04:002012-10-25T16:49:00.052-04:00Hey Ellen,
I'm the Anonymous guy who had OCD ...Hey Ellen,<br /><br />I'm the Anonymous guy who had OCD posting about PC stuff.<br /><br />A number of people using the Anon description have been really abussive. Just want you to know, none of them have been me! I haven't addressed you directly in any of my posts, nor would I be hurtful toward anyone. I can disagree with people without being mean.<br /><br />While I disagree with you regarding language, I appreciate what you're trying to do for you kid. Hope you're well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-86209886960214926322012-10-25T16:45:20.623-04:002012-10-25T16:45:20.623-04:00There's more than one Anonymous posting... The...There's more than one Anonymous posting... The Anonymous with OCD doesn't personally attack people on this board. I'm a nice guy!<br /><br />The people accusing Ellen of this, that and the other thing aren't me. I appreciate what you're trying to do with your site, never listened to Howard Stern, and hope you have a happy life with your kid.<br /><br />My advice: Make sure he has lots of contact with other people who share his condition! I've seen such a difference in how happy they are. I have a family member with Down Syndrome myself.<br /><br />I'd put my full name on these posts so I'm not confused with abusive people, but for discriminatory purposes I leave my name off.<br /><br />To those people weilding insults, you're not helping. Be nice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-60470690418455997432012-10-25T16:37:14.056-04:002012-10-25T16:37:14.056-04:00Where I live, the legal definition of disability i...Where I live, the legal definition of disability involves an inability to function without assistance.<br /><br />If you were able to function, you'd no longer be disabled. What you're saying, is that you hope to get well and NO LONGER be disabled.<br /><br />That's great! However, you need to accept the nature of your disability.<br /><br />If you have a disability where there's no cure, you'd be wasting your time trying to fully function. Functionality isn't the end-all be-all of human existence, anyway. There are plenty of things in life to enjoy outside of economic production.<br /><br />While I'm indignant throughout these posts because I despise political correctness, I'm actually a happy person. My life is great! I attribute this to accepting my disability, so that I'm not ashamed of it. The term "crazy" has literally no affect on me.<br /><br />I have worked with people who have Down Syndrome, in what turned out to be a sweat shop for the disabled... I spent a year of my life trying to shut it down.<br /><br />It stayed open, because naive families wanted their disabled kids to learn "life skills" to "integrate", working on an assembly line against their will, while trying to meet a quota. It was immoral beyond belief.<br /><br />I've seen what happens when people fail to acknowledge mental retardation as an affliction. I also realize that people with Down Syndrome and Autism often feel ashamed, and some even wield the word "retard" hurtfully toward each other in group settings. The key is to teach people that their affliction is nothing to be ashamed of. Banning language won't accomplish that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-10109007870124530132012-10-25T16:26:52.531-04:002012-10-25T16:26:52.531-04:00Ellen,
Thanks for your great posts and your commi...Ellen,<br /><br />Thanks for your great posts and your commitment to raise awareness. I am shocked at some of the cruel comments that have been posted here. It is sad that there are some people who respond like that.<br /><br />I am a monthly contributor writer to my local newspaper. I wrote a post about using the R-word this past March 2012. Here is the link.<br /><br />http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/catching-curve-balls/2012/mar/14/r-word-hurtful/<br /><br />Thanks Ellen! Keep up the inspiring work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-68000672753971355272012-10-25T16:03:23.168-04:002012-10-25T16:03:23.168-04:00You are making a difference, Ellen! Hang in there!...You are making a difference, Ellen! Hang in there! Thank you for your perspective. Kristin W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-37706242111005132932012-10-25T15:57:19.939-04:002012-10-25T15:57:19.939-04:00Let's face it, verb or noun she was trying to ...Let's face it, verb or noun she was trying to be INSULTING ; you would think with her education and her money she could find a better vocabulary. I am all for free speech, but have some respect!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20265250781635261352012-10-25T15:41:06.461-04:002012-10-25T15:41:06.461-04:00Ellen, thank you for writing this important piece!...Ellen, thank you for writing this important piece!<br />For my take on the role of social media in this conversation, please click here: http://mashable.com/2012/10/25/ann-coulter-op-ed/Marissa Cohennoreply@blogger.com