Fill the Bookends with Beauty and Carry a Big Sword
Kelle Hampton, Enjoying the Small Stuff, 22nd September 2015
This is a small incident, and yes there’s a battlefield out there. But this is how we’ll do it: Fill the bookends with beauty so that those deep sea moments in between barely have room to breathe.
And carry a very big sword ...
6 Types of Strangers You May Meet If Your Child Has Down Syndrome
Kari Magner-Peck, The Mighty, 22nd September 2015
Unwanted commentary by strangers about my 8-year-old son who has Down syndrome is a common occurrence. I understand noticing difference; that in and of itself is not objectionable to me. What is objectionable is how my son’s difference is somehow seen as an invitation by strangers to make comments that — whether they know it or not — are offensive and hurtful ...
Stop the #Rword!
Stop the #Rword!
NSW Council on Intellectual Disability, 22nd September 2015
NSW CID wants to say something and wants to say it loud and clear.
The use of the word "retard" as an insult is just not on.
NSW CID was very disappointed to see an Australian newspaper journalist - use the hashtag “leftard” in a twitter post on 20/9/2015.
"Everyone hates this word. It is just one word - but it is outdated and offensive. It is derogatory - please use another word" says NSW CID Chairperson Michael Sullivan, who has Down syndrome.
Sullivan feels that "using that word is just unfair and it is not acceptable".
NSW CID, the New South Wales Council for Intellectual Disability, advocates with and for people with intellectual disability to change things for the better. Executive Director Advocacy, Aine Healy reveals that "changing societal attitudes about people with intellectual disability is one of our major challenges - the recent insensitive use of this word in the media indicates that there is still much progress to be made".
People with intellectual disability are so many things - students, employees, partners, sportsman, advocates, friends and family members - they are so much more than a label. They do not deserve to be at the brunt of hurtful and cruel insults. The "R" word reinforces negative, demeaning and untrue stereotypes.
NSW CID calls upon the media and the wider public to refrain from using the word. As Sullivan wisely suggests -"Get a dictionary and use something else".
The Guardian, 13th August 2015
... When I was younger, I always hoped that one day I’d read a book about someone just like me.
I did find characters who were pretty similar to me – the brunette teenage girls who loved reading and writing – but there was always one important trait that I could never find in any protagonist of all the books I read when I grew up ...
... When I was younger, I always hoped that one day I’d read a book about someone just like me.
I did find characters who were pretty similar to me – the brunette teenage girls who loved reading and writing – but there was always one important trait that I could never find in any protagonist of all the books I read when I grew up ...
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| Day 1 was a great route - we had over 35 bikes along, including the DTeam which are DT200's. Arrived in Gunning a little chilled. We picked up some more riders here for Day 2 to Urana. Is still a bit cold but sunny 😃 |
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