tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24008273.post5894484461195092432..comments2024-03-17T03:12:15.165-04:00Comments on Bits of Betsy: Its Only Words - Or Is It?Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993936253314777950noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24008273.post-144655000709396932007-02-07T06:11:00.000-05:002007-02-07T06:11:00.000-05:00Great post Betsy. Words really do have an impact ...Great post Betsy. Words really do have an impact :)<br /><br />Today I was talking to the care coordinator of our medical home project on a call about an upcoming luncheon we're doing for families of children with special healthcare needs. She was saying it was such a shame that not more people had RSVPed, especially when there were so many "downs" kids on the list. I said to her "you mean children with down syndrome, right" and there was definitely an awkward pause and she did apologize :) <br /><br />I think that sometimes it so often a part of speech that kids don't think, but once you talk about it, then it does give them pause. My kids friends will still say it, then look at me and say oops and change it to a different word. They are learning.... <br /><br />I agree that "gay" is way over used in a negative way.... I find myself asking my children if whatever they are talking about really is homosexual.... We've worked out the retarded word, now on to the next one ;)<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts!The Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17452676315914884673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24008273.post-42608937907032035632007-02-06T22:37:00.000-05:002007-02-06T22:37:00.000-05:00PS - I encounter the term 'Deaf and Dumb' more oft...PS - I encounter the term 'Deaf and Dumb' more often - now that brings me out in a rash - I don't like to let those sort of comments pass - I agree with Camille - a gentle prompting to help people THINK is sometimes all that is needed to break down negative (and false) stereotypes!Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306619273869164248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24008273.post-17324338196542885692007-02-06T22:35:00.000-05:002007-02-06T22:35:00.000-05:00Absolutely! We are 'lucky' here in that 'retard' h...Absolutely! We are 'lucky' here in that 'retard' hasn't been as widely used as in US although with increasing Americanisms being used that may change. I have little patience for people who complain about having to be 'politically correct' - what is wrong with asking people to THINK before they speak? Language is an incredibly powerful tool. It isn't just words, it is our history, our values and our attitudes sometimes poorly summarised into a few words.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15306619273869164248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24008273.post-30835052401512017232007-02-06T21:20:00.000-05:002007-02-06T21:20:00.000-05:00What a writer you are!!!I had one experience with ...What a writer you are!!!I had one experience with the word retard. About 3 years ago, Amy had a birthday party in March. The kids were watching a movie and one of the boys said to another, hey retard. I told this child who was 10 that we did not use this word in our home. Amy's little sister has Down syndrome and we rather think this word is offensive...<br />5 months later, we had a pool party and the same boy, sitting at the top of the slide, says really loud: hey, you re. Then he said oops and that was it. I was very proud of him, for remembering... A few months later, I told the story to his mother; how great it was of him to have remembered. She was a little embarrassed. But no, I told her be proud of him, they are children and my gentle talk about "the word" had an impact...Communication (words) is our best tool... So if I hear the word again, I will once more have a gentle chat with...Camillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03768842727868760549noreply@blogger.com