I was corrected...

[lacyndarella]

LOL! I must admit I find it amuzing. I posted a link (on fb) to an article on Ann Coulter's website because it was so horrendous! I referenced Down Syndrome in my status. A friend felt the need to correct me by saying it is "Downs Syndrome." Of course it is NOT. It is either Down's Syndrome or Down Syndrome, named for the doctor who categorized the syndrome. I cited NIH and the National Down Syndrome Society as support for my word usage. It's funny when people correct you and are incorrect. I found it slightly ludicrous to even correct that to begin with. I wouldn't even bother if someone posted Downs Syndrome. But whatever...

[lacyndarella]

And even now she insists in the UK it is Downs Syndrome. Actually, most often it is called Down's Syndrome in UK (at least according to their national society). But even in the UK the man's name is Down, not Downs. :)

[Donna Thomson]

That is so funny, sheesh! You are right, of course. Hope Jimmy and Charlie are well! xoDonna

[mg12061]

My daughter has Down syndrome. I'm on the board of our resource center and this is the spelling we use. Down is capitalized because it's a persons name syndrome is not. They dont' use any "s" at the end.
Mary Grace

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Lacy))))))

Why can't this person check the links you've provided, or Google for her self, then admit that she was incorrect? You've proven that she's wrong, but she can't prove that she's right.

I know about the Ann Coulter garbage to which you referred. I had a post all ready to go to put on CN, but I've been reluctant, because it is political.

However, it is extremely relevant to all of us, as she likes to sling around the R-word, then she tells anyone who objects to "Sc&#w Off!"

She claims that "everyone knows that the R-word has been used for years to mean 'loser.'"

Evidently, she's an expert on the R-word, its meaning, and how it should make us feel when we hear it.

Let's take her feeble argument that the R-word now means "loser." Like that makes it acceptable and not a slur? Wow!

Then she says that she would never use the R-word in reference to a person who has DD. Is there any logic to her arguments whatsoever? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately, she has the public stage, and freedom of speech allows her to spew her hatred of others with reckless abandon. And she doesn't give a fig newton how it affects us or our children, as long as the spotlight is directly on her.

((((((Mary))))))

Thank you for providing your expert knowledge. I didn't know that the s in syndrome is not capitalized.

Love & Light,

Rose

[Donna Thomson]

I posted on Facebook and my facebook Page, the Caregivers' Living Room on AC's slur. Well, at least she is hearing loud and clear from our movement and many others that the 'r' word is NOT ACCEPTABLE EVER. I learned in the UK the phrase 'casual racism' and I now apply the term 'casual disablism' to people who would appropriate diagnoses from the disability community and use them to refer to 'losers'. Down with the likes of Ann Coulter!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Donna))))))

Of course, we should vociferously speak out against the defamation of persons with ... is the term "intellectual disabilities" now? I have a problem with that term, actually. To me, developmental disabilities seems more appropriate.

But, it's still a label. No matter what term we use, it's still a label.

The difference is that the R-word is a slur.

I have often resented that when I'm meeting a new person and the subject of "how many children do you have?" arises. I respond, "I have two sons." Then typically, at some point, I will add, "who were born with developmental disabilities." or "who have developmental disabilities."

Has the mother of a typically developing child ever used the disclaimer, "I have a daughter, who is normal?" or "I have a son, who wasn't born with disabilities?" Of course not!

By virtue of the fact that I eventually have to explain my sons' conditions to anyone, with whom I have an elongated conversation (as questions arise, such as, "do you have grandchildren?" because my sons are adults, or "what line of business is your son in?"), I become an outsider. Then, my sons and I become the object of pity or at least a dramatic "ooooohhhh, I'm so sorry."

So, my children have to be labeled, because they are "different," but many people in society declare that they can use any label they want for them, and I should not care?

People, who use the R-word indiscriminately, are just like Ann Coulter. They will tell you that you are being overly sensitive and that you shouldn't let a "word" bother you so intensely. They will offer some pathetic excuse or explanation for their use of the R-word. They will call you the "PC Police." I've had more than a few discussions about the R-word, and I've been dismissed in my solid arguments against its use, including the ramifications in society's devaluation of persons with DD, with these flimsy comebacks.

Coulter is the perfect example, in that she literally said, "Sc@#w You!" to all of her critics of her obscene tweets. She's saying that to you, to me, to all of us here. Her narcissism deafens her to our complaints. She literally does not care how we feel about her repeated use of the R-word, or she would apologize, or at least stop using it. She will not change. It's all about her.

So, the best we can hope for is to educate the masses as to why the R-word is unacceptable and to soften the hearts of those, who just let it slip out of their mouths by habit. Maybe we can encourage people to think before they speak.

But Coulter is a lost cause. And the less we pay attention to her, the sooner her vitriol and she will go away.

Love & Light,

Rose

[funnylegs4]

I think that person thought it was "Downs" because that is how it sounds when some people say it. While we are on the subject of words describing mentally impaired, does the word "Derpy" mean retarded?????!!! I have seen quite a few disputes about a character from a show called "My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic" who was named Derpy having to be cut from the show because she was "offensive" to people with mental disabilities but have no idea what Derpy actually means.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((funnylegs4))))))

I agree that the confusion stems from the words Down and Syndrome when said together. It can easily seem to sound like Downs Syndrome, or Down's Syndrome, as heard, when the term is spoken.

However, Lacy explained to the FB poster that it is Down syndrome, and the poster still argued with Lacy.

About Derpy:

Derpy Hooves, a pegasus pony, is a fictional character in My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic (a TV series?)

http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Derpy

The pony was named Derpy, because of its crossed eyes.

The Urban Dictionary offers various definitions of derpy, including: clumsy, uncoordinated, accident prone, awkward, lacking intelligence or common sense, and yes, the R-word. One person wrote that derpy "usually takes the place of 'retarded.'"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Derpy

Given that definition, as it is used to substitute for the R-word, it's a substitute slur. R-word is the brand name; derpy is the generic.

And how sweet -- for our children to be watching cartoons using this word to denigrate a clumsy, cross-eyed pony. Hasbro adopted it with pride! And now the young generation will grow up with their stuffed Derpy toys, using that name, with the same belittlement contained in the R-word.

My frustration is enormous to discover that after fighting against the use of the R-word for over 40 years, a new replacement word, with the same intention, has been introduced. We can't change attitude, if we don't change behavior. Frankly, I'm tired of trying. This makes me want to give up, but I won't.

I can't.

Love & Light,

Rose

[funnylegs4]

((((((funnylegs4))))))

I agree that the confusion stems from the words Down and Syndrome when said together. It can easily seem to sound like Downs Syndrome, or Down's Syndrome, as heard, when the term is spoken.

However, Lacy explained to the FB poster that it is Down syndrome, and the poster still argued with Lacy.

About Derpy:

Derpy Hooves, a pegasus pony, is a fictional character in My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic (a TV series?)

http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Derpy

The pony was named Derpy, because of its crossed eyes.

The Urban Dictionary offers various definitions of derpy, including: clumsy, uncoordinated, accident prone, awkward, lacking intelligence or common sense, and yes, the R-word. One person wrote that derpy "usually takes the place of 'retarded.'"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Derpy

Given that definition, as it is used to substitute for the R-word, it's a substitute slur. R-word is the brand name; derpy is the generic.

And how sweet -- for our children to be watching cartoons using this word to denigrate a clumsy, cross-eyed pony. Hasbro adopted it with pride! And now the young generation will grow up with their stuffed Derpy toys, using that name, with the same belittlement contained in the R-word.

My frustration is enormous to discover that after fighting against the use of the R-word for over 40 years, a new replacement word, with the same intention, has been introduced. We can't change attitude, if we don't change behavior. Frankly, I'm tired of trying. This makes me want to give up, but I won't.

I can't.

Love & Light,

Rose

Yes, My Little Pony is a little kid show on Hub Channel. Thanks for explaining that. I did more research on the issue of the pony's name and found this: http://www.savederpy.com/ I do not think the channel meant any harm but kid shows do need to be more careful. Luckily they seem to be trying to fix the issue.