The R Word

Day 76: Treating People Who Are Retarded with Respect

DISCLAIMER: I don't use the R word in conversation. I recognize that this is an offensive term. The only reason this word is found in this post is because it is the word that is written in the title of this book.

I wish I had something inspirational to say. I wish I had something personal to share. This value warrants a post that truly brings out the upstander (opposite of a bystander) in all of us. Sadly, I have no such story to share. All I can share is a memory that I hope you find as powerful as I do.

In the fall of my sophomore year of high school, I was active in USY. My chapter decided that as a precursor to Rosh Hashana, we were going to go apple picking at a local orchard with some of the special needs students who participate in a program called Friendship Circle. That day, I met a man in his early twenties. Now I've forgotten his name but his smile, voice, and attitude are the things I still remember. We talked a little bit and I asked him about himself. We didn't become monumental friends, we didn't keep in touch.

In the spring of my sophomore year of high school, in order to fulfill some of my community service hours, I volunteered at a nursing home in my hometown. I took residents to various activities going on around the home and sometimes I'd participate in those activities with my friend who was doing the same thing I was doing.

At my first day on the job, I hear my name called. A tall boy who I recognized but couldn't immediately place ran up to me and gave me a hug. He said "you're Hannah. We went apple picking together with Friendship Circle." He waved to me and hugged me and insisted on having lunch with me almost every day that week


As it turns out, the home I was volunteering at uses special needs young adults as volunteers to work with the residents. By giving the special needs people the responsibility of helping the elderly, we have given them respect and honor. They have a space to be productive and helpful to both the residents and those running the home.