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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
"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
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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

October 31, 2016 | North America: Ohio

I had Disabilities When I was a Baby

By Riley

When I was a baby, I had disabilities. I couldn't breathe. I had to stay in a tub for like more than a week.View Story ▼When I was a baby, I had disabilities. I couldn't breathe. I had to stay in a tub for like more than a week. My parents were scared.I will spread the word to not use the r-word. Plus I'm kind, I'm neat and I love people.I love that people with disabilities can still party, play, do sports and more. When I grow up I will help pepole with disabilities. My brother has a disability. He can't see. He has to wear a eye patch. He does not like it.

About Riley:im really nice. I'm kind as well. I tell people, don't say the mean r-word. I say use respect. I love pepole with disabilities, i know they can party and theyre funny and nice.
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October 31, 2016 | North America: Texas

Everyone Deserves Love

By Kelcy Tekell

I am on the Autism spectrum. While I am high-functioning and intelligent, that doesn't mean people always react positively when I tell them I have Autism.View Story ▼I am on the Autism spectrum. While I am high-functioning and intelligent, that doesn't mean people always react positively when I tell them I have Autism. Although I have never personally been called the r-word, I have heard people say it many times when referring to people with Autism. Even though they aren't talking about me personally, I still take it that way because I feel like I am a voice and an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and are being talked about this way. I also work with and teach children with special needs, including but not limited to children with Autism. People with special needs are not "dumb" or "stupid" or anything that qualifies anyone to call them the r-word. They can do anything they set their mind to, especially if they have help and support from others. These children teach me new things everyday, even though I'm supposed to be teaching them. Nobody deserves to be called the r-word. Everyone deserves love, understanding, and acceptance.

About Kelcy Tekell:I am a currently a preschool teacher that has experience working with special needs children. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism (Aspergers syndrome) when I was 19 years old.
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October 31, 2016 | North America: New York

I'm here to stop the R-word

By Jumelee Jimenez

I want people to be treated with respect. So what if you have a disability, you're still smart no matter what.View Story ▼I want people to be treated with respect. So what if you have a disability, you're still smart no matter what and I know you can do it. I heard the R-word is very hurtful. It is and I am hear to tell you, ignore it and even if they still call you that, it's hurtful. They should stop because you are smart. No matter what, I believe in you guys you guys are beautiful.

About Jumelee Jimenez :Hi my name is jumelee I'm kind and sweet I'm very helpful and when you need me I'll always be there no matter what
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October 31, 2016 | North America: Kentucky

My Spread the Word to End The Word Story

By Hayden Redmon

Hello, my name is Hayden Redmon. I'm a Special Olympics athlete and I just graduated to be a Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador.View Story ▼Hello, my name is Hayden Redmon. I'm a Special Olympics athlete and I just graduated to be a Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador. It's my houner to tell you my story I went to a church near me and I talked to the youth about spread the word to end the word and it was so awesome my friend and I got to talk to them and teach them what it means to talk about spread the word to end the word and we got a standing Applause!!!!! The kids were so excited!!!!! I talked about the Kansas City Chiefs and the running back Jamal Charles and his story about and behind Special Olympics Kentucky.

About Hayden Redmon :My name is hayden Redmon
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October 26, 2016 | North America: Ohio

Author and a Advocate

By Jason A. Plants

My name is Jason Plants and I am 29 years old. I was born with many, many disabilities and the doctors at one point in time did not expect to me to live.View Story ▼My name is Jason Plants and I am 29 years old and I live in Akron Ohio but I was born in Chesapeake, Virginia. I was born with many, many disabilities and the doctors at one point in time did not expect to me to live to see a year old. I am a Author of two books and they are called A Reason To Smile and The Million Dollar Smile My Story. I am also a advocate for others who has a disabilities as well and also a advocate for people who had were bullied at one point in their lifetime. I am a advocate against bullying. I live in a group home and I am enjoying it and also I am participating in Special Olympics as well in my home state of Ohio.

About Jason A. Plants:I participate in the Special Olympics in Summit County, Ohio. I do Track and Field, Bowling and Softball.
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Spread the Word 03.01.2017

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We've Pledged!

  • It kills me when someone is talking to me and says the word. My friends know not to say it by me. Make a difference!

    Alex

    Dolgner, Illinois
    5 hours ago

  • I have supported people for 10 years! I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusi...

    ...

    T'Ana Novy

    Watertown , South Dakota
    311 hours ago

  • I have worked with special needs for four years now, and to know this word still exists, hurts myself and MANY others. I pledge and support the elimination of the derogat...

    ...

    Ariel Sullivan

    South Berwick, Maine
    3633 hours ago

  • I have taken the pledge before. In fact my son ran a Spread the Word campaign during his 8th grade year at Brown Barge Middle School and got 460 people to take the pledge...

    ...

    Kim Stefansson

    Pensacola, Florida
    3635 hours ago

  • My sister had PMG, Microcephaly and a lot of other thing and I hate it when people use the r-word because I feel like it is aimed straight at her. I pledge to never use t...

    ...

    Lily Salazar

    Topeka, Kansas
    3646 hours ago

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