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Pledges
Pledge & Be Heard
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Spread The WordHelp us raise awareness about the hurtfulness of the R-word by pledging and sharing your stories year round.Pledge Now  
Take The PledgeSpecial Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver invites U.S. presidential candidates to take the pledge, too.
Read what he said
Years of ProgressIn the years since the R-word campaign started, real change has taken place. Read more
Here's a Book for YouIt's for anyone who isn't quite aware of the words that come out of their mouths. Till March 31, author Rob Snow will donate $5 to Special Olympics for each book sold. Learn More
"Join Our Quest"Special Olympics Virginia athlete John "Frank" Stephens shares a poem with the Huffington Post.
Read Frank's New Poem
R-word VideosSee the newest R-word videos on YouTube.Check them out
Tweet Your PledgeHere's your tweet-ready text:
I pledge #Respect thru my words & actions. Will you? Pledge now to create communities of inclusion for people with ID http://r-word.org  Here's how  

Your Stories

April 06, 2016 | North America: Michigan

Equality at its best

By Izabella Hunt

The R word...A lot of people don’t think before they speak, they just say whatever they are thinking. Which honestly a lot of the times is mean and hurtful things.View Story ▼ The R word...A lot of people don’t think before they speak, they just say whatever they are thinking. Which honestly a lot of the times is mean and hurtful things. The saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” Is a very false saying. Emotional pain is just as bad as physical pain. What you say on a daily basis counts. Everyone deserves equality and friends. No one is perfect, we’re all a little weird, and we all have our flaws...So why can’t we just accept them. Accept everyone for who they are. We’re all beautiful in one way or another, we all are compassionate we all long for the same thing in life. And that is happiness. So why can’t we all pitch in and help deliver it?

About Izabella Hunt:My school has a links program, which is a program specifically for autistic children. I love it <3 Every day i get to be surrounded by amazing people.. and enjoy helping them. (: #STOPTHERWORD
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April 06, 2016 | North America: Connecticut

My Daughter, Kristina N. Juliano, has Williams Syndrome

By Judy L. Marino

She is kind, loyal, loving, empathetic & beautiful both inside & out. She loves to sing, dance & listen to music. She can be so full of joy that she glows & physically bounces.View Story ▼She is 31, tomorrow, 4/6/16 & is asking for donations to williams-syndrome.org as a celebration. She is kind, loyal, loving, empathetic & beautiful both inside & out. She loves to sing, dance & listen to music. She can be so full of joy that she glows & physically bounces, yet is driven to distraction by worries & anxieties. She loves with a full heart, accepting people, maybe a little too quickly & can be easily hurt as a result. She is concerned for family & friends, & will literally do anything she can to help another. Her brain is complicated with one half working better than the other. The side that deals with reason & problem-solving is weaker, while the language side is awesome and she has a special ability to be FRIENDLY & OUTGOING. Oliver Saks called it a 'gregarious brain". Because the matching genes for up to 22, on chromosome #7 are missing, she faces many challenges, but is BLESSED with many gifts!! IF NOT FOR Ws, she simply would not be the Kristina, I know & love!!

About Judy L. Marino :I am a disabled 56 years old parent with complicated & debilitating health, but because Gov. Malloy continues to cut DDS budgets, my daughter is forced to live in my backroom, getting less & less help
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April 06, 2016 | North America: Massachusetts

No more r-word

By Meghan m

My cousins have Down syndrome and they have also been called that word several times which is not right under any conditions.View Story ▼Hi guys I'm Meghan and I am great friends with Zoe and her sister. My cousins have Down syndrome and they have also been called that word several times which is not right under any conditions. I have gotten to know Zoe and violet over the past eight and a half years and yes I've noticed people making fun of people and it's not right I love Zoe and violet and No, nothing at all could ever change that violet is the cutest little girl ever and we are blessed to have her. I am so grateful for my great friend Zoe and helping to stop the therribe r-word . I pledge ~Meghan

About Meghan m:I'm Meghan and I'm a great friend of Zoe's. I will do anything to help stop the r-word #stopther-word #nomorebullying
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April 06, 2016 | North America: Michigan

The Boy Behind Closed Doors

By Isabella J.

I am 17, and my 15-year-old brother has Asperger's syndrome. He has been bullied his entire life.View Story ▼People use the "R" word so lightly. They throw it around without thinking of the harm it does. I am 17, and my 15-year-old brother has Asperger's syndrome. He has been bullied his entire life. People don't get that he's different, but he is so funny and a great person! They don't understand what he struggles with daily. He deals with endless panic attacks and as he got older, he started locking himself in his room due to these people who don't understand when to stop. A 15 year old should be out kicking a ball, not in their room afraid of the world. Please spread the word to end the "R" word!

About Isabella J.:I am a 17 year old senior who is also in the LINKS program. I deal with ASD students and help them strive to do their best! I am also looking to go to MSU to be a veterinarian.
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April 06, 2016 | North America: Pennsylvania

McDonalds Be Ashamed

By Robert and Judith Weisman for Elyssa

My husband took my daughter who has Down Syndrome to breakfast at the McDonalds in Flourtown, Pennsylvania this past Friday. Everything was going well until he overheard one of the managers call another employee retarded.View Story ▼My husband took my daughter who has Down Syndrome to breakfast at the McDonalds in Flourtown, Pennsylvania this past Friday. Everything was going well until he overheard one of the managers call another employee retarded. When he contacted their corporate website and we spoke to someone they seemed to think that because it wasn't aimed at our daughter it was not a problem. I explained about your organization and that still didn't turn on a light bulb. So we have taken to Facebook to spread our story.

About Robert and Judith Weisman for Elyssa :Parents and advocates for our daughter!
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Upcoming Events


Date

Event

Location

Apr 13, 2016
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Spread the Word to End the Word

On April 13, 2016 from 11 AM- 2 PM the Future Educators of America club at Point Park University will have a table set up in Village Park (rain location- West Penn lobby) where students, staff, and the community can come and pledge to use respectful, people first language. We will have a banner for people to sign, and laptops available so that people can also pledge on the website. We will also have Spread the Word to End the Word campaign information, a guest speaker, and treats.
For more information
Dominique Furrowh
Email:[email protected]View More

Village Park
201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
UNITED STATES
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Spread the Word 3.02.16

Our annual day of awareness was 2 March 2016. You can still take the pledge, and if you have a story to share, please do.

Join Us to End the Word

We are spreading the word on your favorite sites. Join us!

Act Now!

Pledge your support to eliminate the demeaning use of the r-word.

PledgeactPledges

We've Pledged!

  • I have a brother who has Muscular Dystrophy and is continually fighting for his life. I hear the r word all the time with him. I can't stand it. I pledge to end the R wor...

    ...

    Paul Davis

    Edmond , Oklahoma
    733 hours ago

  • As a father with a child on the Autism Spectrum I have come to know the broad reach of both the word itsrlf and the pain in which it inflicts. I pledge and support the el...

    ...

    Aaron White

    Shelbyville , Tennessee
    750 hours ago

  • As an advocate for children and adults with special needs, I pledge to stand up and give voice, to make the R-word RESPECT. Spread the word to end the word!

    Salyssa

    Tampa, Florida
    756 hours ago

  • I help my best friends and I will promote to r-word in all front of the people. Best regards : Stephanie Handojo-IGM

    Stephanie Handojo

    Jakarta Utara, Indonesia
    783 hours ago

  • As an advocate for kids and adults with special needs, I pledge to always fight for the rights of my students and peers, and will promote "spread the word to end the word...

    ...

    Willow Lessman

    Lincoln, Nebraska
    805 hours ago

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