It's easy...

It's easy to throw a word around to be insulting.

It's easy to hide behind excuses- "I didn't mean it that way", "I don't think Ethan is that"...

It's easy to say "Oops, sorry", and then go about your day without a care in the world...repeatedly.

It's easy to use my son's medical diagnosis- something he has NO control over, as a joke. 

http://www.r-word.org/

Take the pledge.  Take the pledge to spread the word to END the word retard(ed). 

This is not a "you're just too sensitive" or "here comes the PC police" issue.  This is a respect issue.  I ask that you do your part, for Ethan, and all of those with intellectual disabilities.  A person's medical diagnosis should not be the "go to" for a laugh or insult to another.  While you are laughing at your inventive insult, you are hurting me, Ethan, and so many others. 

My friend, Amy, has written the most powerful, eye-opening, and heartfelt post.  Please take a moment to read "Why the word retard isn't funny".  You can also follow Amy's journey here.

This is just a snippet of what we hear all the time.  Nice, right?

When we hear the word "retard" used as an insult, way to demean someone, to feel less than, to laugh at a joke – it is beyond disrespectful. It shows that the user has no compassion, love, or empathy. It shows a lack of education. It shows a lack of being kind. It shows a lack of treating others as you wish to be treated. It shows ignorance. You DO mean Ethan when you use this word so don't use it.

You can do this.  You can make a difference.  You can take the pledge.  You can choose respect over insult.  It really IS an easy thing to do.