Look at this face and tell me what word would you use to describe it?  Would you say retard, stupid or unintelligent? Or would you say thoughtful, beautiful and breathtaking?

Look at this face and tell me what word would you use? Would you describe how she overcame her fear of the beach and reveled in a sunset? Or would you say she is retarded and not worth your time?

Look at this face and tell me what word would you use? Would you use retarded or would you find another world? Would you say this child is happy and excited and a beloved child of her mother? Or would you say you look at her face and see joy?

Look at this face and tell me what word would you use? Would you see a child who overcame her fear of Santa and for one brief moment reveled in magic? Or would you say she was retarded for not believing?

Look at this picture and tell me what word you would use.  Would you say this child was planning word domination? Would you say she was retarded or would you find another word?

Look at this face and I dare you to find another word.  Fashion forward, maybe. Rocking her Patriots jersey, for sure.  Retarded? She is smarter than you ever expected.

There are over 171,000 words in the dictionary. Find another word. Because when you say the word retard, you are saying this child is less than. If you think it doesn’t matter, it’s just a word then find another one.

Bridget is more than a word. Before Bridget I would say something was wicked retarded. Then I grew up. Then I became aware, that even though that word might not have a visceral reaction for me, it did for another mother. That every time a parent whose child has a disability hears the word retarded, even it is not intended, we are kicked in the gut.

Our child is more than a word. If you really need to use the word retard or retarded ask yourself is this what you mean to say.  Insert another adjective and see if it is more effective.

Words matter.

If you responded that words don’t matter, then the word retard shouldn’t be in your vocabulary. Cause does it really matter if you use another word? I dare you to find one.

Try to put retard on this face. Then you will realize you need a more appropriate word.