Spread the Word to End the Word. By: Anne Lounsbury and Briar Ownby-Connolly

What is the word? Retard or Retarded

YOU Why YOU shouldn’t use it It’s not original. There’re so many other words you could use. Just look in a thesaurus! It’s hurtful not only to people with disabilities, but to others as well. Any way you use it, it comes out wrong to other people around you.

Lauren Potter Lauren Potter, for four years, has been starring as Becky Jackson on the popular show Glee. She has overcome her Down Syndrome, and she has been speaking out against many different things, including “Spread the Word to End the Word.”

Famous Quote by Lauren Potter “Different is different, and different isn’t bad.”

Other Disabilities Gross motor = big muscles (ex: legs and arms) Fine motor = tiny muscles (ex: fingers and toes) Intellectual = used to be called mental retardation Special health care needs = ADD or ADHD Learning = dyslexia Emotional = depressed Neurological = autism Speech Impairment=stutter/word sounds

Speak out! Speak out against the use of the R-word! People may say you’re too sensitive if you get offended by the words retard or retarded, however that’s not true! These are not acceptable words, they’re not OK in any way. So the next time you hear someone say the R-word SPEAK OUT!

How to speak out! Enough is enough That’s not OK (acceptable, cool, etc.) It’s not funny Please stop using that word Grow up...And so much more...

We have heard the voice of Lauren Potter and many others, and are willing to make a difference! Help stop the use of the R-word Help speak out And help… Spread the Word to End the Word!

Thank you You’ve now heard what the voice of millions have had to say... However here’s a question you should ask yourself... will I help?

Tomorrow wear Blue, Yellow or both to support people with down-syndrome, or any disability. Help show your appreciation for “Spread the Word to End the Word” But most of all show your respect for kids who are living with disabilities... Because you never know, the could be just like Lauren Potter.