The r-word. Why would you use it? Think you are funny? Have you ever really thought about it, that word? Using it is just wrong.
STOP!
Help me to spread the word to end the word. Let's all end using the r-word.
Will you take the pledge and join me?
WHY PLEDGE: What is the R-word and Why is its Use a Problem?
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. More on Effects >
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
History of the Campaign
2004
In response to Special Olympics athletes’ call for change, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors adopts a resolution to update the movement’s terminology from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disabilities."
2008
Special Olympics launches the website www.r-word.org to combat the inappropriate use of the R-word in common usage.
August 14, 2008
Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and a coalition of national disability organizations, mobilizes a grass-roots campaign against "Tropic Thunder," a DreamWorks production. Special Olympics athletes joined protestors at demonstrations in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., New York City, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Texas. "Tropic Thunder," marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general, contains scenes promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny.
Why "intellectual disability" is replacing "mental retardation"
The R-word, “retard,” is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so retarded” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.
Because of this, Special Olympics, Best Buddies and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes. As language has evolved, Special Olympics and Best Buddies have updated their official terminology to use standard, people-first language that is more acceptable to constituents.
Rosa’s Law and Legislature Challenges
On October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed bill S. 2781 into federal law. Rosa’s Law, which takes its name and inspiration for 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, removes the terms “mental retardation” and "mentally retarded" from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.” The signing of Rosa’s Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities More on Rosa's Law >
I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
We talked about it before. End the use of the R-word. I cringe every time I hear it. Change the R-word to RESPECT. Spread the word to end the use of the r-word.
If you have checked out the web site R-Word.org, they have some wonderful items for sale such as t-shirts and mugs. I purchased a couple of t-shirts for my family. I love wearing them. They are a good quality shirt, the graphics are great, and I love the message on them. I first saw these shirts at a Special Olympics event. I just had to have one.
I was wearing one of my shirts the other day while I was grocery shopping. At the checkout, the clerk saw my shirt. She asked me about it. I started into my regular "speech" about the R-Word. She stopped me part way through. And began telling me her story of her son and his struggles through school. One of the administrators hat the school had called her son retarded. Her son was now twenty. She was devastated. It stayed with her. I saw the hurt in her face. Wasn't there a better way to discuss her son's struggles in school? I think so........
So, I was interested to see that yesterday, the R-Word hit center stage in the media. And a young Special Olympian took it upon himself to educate and advocate. Continue on to read this inspiring young man's words.
Special Olympian with Down Syndrome shames Ann Coulter over calling Obama ‘retard’
The incendiary conservative pundit stood by her use of the slur Tuesday, but John Franklin Stephens challenged her to attend the Special Olympics and leave with an unchanged heart.
CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES
A Special Olympian with Down Syndrome castigated right-wing flamethrower Ann Coulter for calling President Obama a 'retard' after the final presidential debate.
A Special Olympics athlete with Down syndrome has shamed conservative pundit Ann Coulter in an open letter after she called President Obama a “retard” this week.
“Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren't dumb and you aren't shallow,” wrote John Franklin Stephens in a blog post. “So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?”
Stephens, 30, told Coulter that he has “struggled with the public's perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow.”
“I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.”
Coulter used the offensive term when commenting about the final presidential debate on Twitter.
“I highly approve of Romney's decision to be kind and gentle to the retard,” Coulter wrote Monday night.
WILL SCHERMERHORN/SPECIAL OLYMPICS, INC
John Franklin Stephens is a Special Olympics athlete.
Despite widespread outrage about the tweet, Coulter doubled down on her word choice on Tuesday.
“If he's ‘the smartest guy in the room’ it must be one retarded room,” she wrote about Obama.
In his open letter, Stephens wondered whether Coulter had used the word to suggest that President Obama was “bullied as a child by people like you” or that he “has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says.”
“After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me,” he wrote. “You assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like me is an insult and you assumed you could get away with it and still appear on TV.”
“Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor,” he said.
Stephens invited Coulter to attend the Special Olympics, challenging her to “walk away with your heart unchanged.”
Coulter has not yet publicly responded to the open letter, which Stephens signed “a friend you haven’t made yet.”
The conservative commentator has a long history of using inflammatory and offensive language.
Her latest insensitive remark comes just weeks after she was criticized for joking that national “coming out” day would be followed by national “disown your son” day.
The following is a guest post in the form of an open letter from Special Olympics athlete and global messenger John Franklin Stephens to Ann Coulter after this tweet during last night’s Presidential debate.
Dear Ann Coulter,
Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?
I’m a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public’s perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow. I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.
I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.
Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next.
Finally, I wondered if you meant to degrade him as someone who is likely to receive bad health care, live in low grade housing with very little income and still manages to see life as a wonderful gift.
Because, Ms. Coulter, that is who we are – and much, much more.
After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me. You assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like me is an insult and you assumed you could get away with it and still appear on TV.
I have to wonder if you considered other hateful words but recoiled from the backlash.
Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.
No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.
Come join us someday at Special Olympics. See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged.
A friend you haven’t made yet, John Franklin Stephens Global Messenger Special Olympics Virginia
EDITOR’S NOTE: John has previously written powerful opinion pieces on the R-word.Read one here.
Maybe these athletes need to learn compassion and respect for not only those with special needs, but also for all of humanity. Olympians are put on pedestal. Everything they say and so is watched and emulated. Maybe all the Olympic athletes need to take the R-Word pledge?
At least athletes that do not respect all humanity are expelled from the Olympics. I just hope they learn that words can and do hurt.
Switzerland have expelled Michel Morganella from their Olympics squad after he posted a racist message on Twitter.
Morganella: Expelled from London Olympics
Morganella was part of the Swiss team that was defeated by the South Korean's 2-1 on Sunday.
After the game he posted on Twitter: "I am going to batter the Koreans, burn them all... bunch of 'trisos'."
'Trisos' is a French slang word for people with Down's Syndrome.
His remarks were met with firm action from the Swiss Olympic Team as their team chief Gian Gilli held a press conference on Monday.
He said the post "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people".
Swiss newspaper Le Matin published the tweets from the players account but the tweets have since been deleted following the furore.
The 23-year-old defender is the second Olympic athlete kicked off a team for offensive Twitter comments.
Greece dropped triple jumper Voula Papachristou last week after she posted a comment mocking African immigrants.
Another account of the story.
UK: Second Olympian banned for offensive tweet
31-07-2012
Swiss soccer player Michel Morganella has been booted off his team for an offensive tweet he posted after Switzerland's group stage defeat against South Korea.
Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said on Monday that Morganella will be stripped of his accreditation two days ahead of the team's final group match with Mexico.
At a press conference on Monday, Gilli said Morganella had "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people."
On Sunday, Switzerland lost to South Korea 2-1. After the match, he said he'd "batter the Koreans, burn them all" and referred to them using an insulting French word for people with Down's Syndrome.
His Twitter account, @morgastoss, has been shut down, a spokeswoman for the team said. She also said Morganella had apologized. The Swiss 23-year-old right back plays his club football with Palermo in Italy.
Morganella is the second person to be banned from the Olympics because of a tweet. Two days before the opening ceremony, Greek triple-jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled from Greece's team for tweeting "statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement," as the Hellenic Olympic Committee put it.
Papachristou had already drawn attention with links to videos and websites of the extreme-right Golden Dawn political party. But it was a tweet she posted the week of the opening ceremony that outraged the committee.
Commenting on recent cases of mosquitoes carrying the Nile virus appearing in Athens, she tweeted "With so many Africans in Greece, the West Nile mosquitoes will be getting home food!!!"
Isidoros Kouvelos, the head of the committee, appeared on the TV station Skai and said, "We are not here just to get medals, but to promote the Olympic ideals, to show our character."
Have you taken the pledge to end the use of the R-word yet? "Why would I want to take the pledge to end the R-word?" you may ask?
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” –Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. More on Effects >
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
We can do it. End the use of the R word. Even it is one person at a time. How about one country at a time? Well, it has happened in Israel. Can we make it happen in your community?
The end of the R word in Israel
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Lin Kornhauser (right) celebrates her medal win at the World Summer Games in Athens 2011. This image won first prize in a Sport & Peace Photographic Competition
Significant Milestone
Following years of lobbying by Special Olympics Israel the term ‘people with intellectual disabilities’ has finally replaced the term ‘people with retardation’ in Israel. The R word will no longer be acceptable or tolerated in Israel when talking about people with intellectual disabilities. Making the significant announcement this week, the Minister for Welfare Moshe Kahlon said the change in language was long overdue and reflects what should be paramount for all people with intellectual disabilities – respect and dignity. He thanked Special Olympics Israel for never giving up on this issue and he was proud to officially announce the language change.
Lin Kornhauser from Raanana is an athlete with Special Olympics Israel and has won several medals for her country at world and national Games. Her mother Tali was one of those people campaigning for the term change. “My daughter is not retarded, she has achieved more than most and I am delighted the Minister has made this announcement. It is hugely important to people with intellectual disabilities and their families."
The effects of the R-word on people with ID and their families and friends
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech.
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
Meet another one of my heroes. Jane Lynch. You may know her from the hit series "Glee"? Great show that celebrates being different. But Jane Lynch is also an advocate for people with Down Syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society recently honored Jane Lynch for her support and also her support of the End the R-Word campaign. ClickHERE to learn more about Ending the R-Word campaign.
Comedian Jane Lynch is a woman who fights for what she believes in. She's known for fighting for the LGBT community and supports President Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage. However, this is not the only cause that Lynch supports.
This week Lynch was honored at the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Annual Spring Luncheon. The event was hosted to celebrate people with Down syndrome and those who support them. Actor Chris Burke, known for his work on the ABC show Life Goes On, was also in attendance. NDSS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Similarly to her character Sue Sylvester on Glee, Lynch has shown support for down syndrome before and is a proud supporter of the campaign ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’. If you are unfamiliar with this powerful campaign, its main goal is to stop the everyday use of the word ‘retard’.
During the Wednesday luncheon that took place in New York City, Glee star Lauren Potter, who plays Becky on the show, also made an appearance by filming a video with Lynch in support of the campaign. Potter was unable to attend the luncheon but congratulated Lynch via video message. "The world would be a better place if more people saw beauty the way you do, and chose to recognize abilities, rather than disabilities," she said.
I do. I hear someone's conversation or I am having a conversation with someone and there it is. That word. That word that always hits me by surprise. Used in conversation as if it doesn't hurt or insult people.
From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary: RETARD : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment.
Should we really use this word in slang? Should we use it as an insult, even if unintentional? I have a one word, two letter answer........ NO!
Lets end the use of the r-word. Have you taken the pledge? Why not? Do it right now.
I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
It
is time we
Spread the Word to End the Word™
and build awareness for society to stop and think about its’ use of
the R-word. That R-word is something hurtful and painful – “retard”
or “retarded.” Most people don’t think of this word as hate
speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people
with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and
friends. The R-word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.
Visit www.r-word.org to make your
pledge today.
Young
people around the world are taking a stand and raising awareness of
the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the words “retard” or
“retarded” and are helping encourage others to think before they
speak.
Did
you know the pejorative and ever increasing use of the R-word in
today’s society further perpetuates the stigma and negative
stereotypes that face people with intellectual disabilities?
Up
to three percent of the world’s population have intellectual
disabilities - that’s 200 million people around the world. It’s
the largest disability population in the world, perhaps you know
someone?
We
ask that you help us change the conversation and help eliminate the
demeaning use of the R-word from today’s popular youth vernacular
and replace it with “respect.” We are asking for your help in
creating a more accepting world for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and all those people that may appear
different, but have unique gifts and talents to share with the
world.
We’re
asking every person - young and old - to help eliminate the
demeaning use of the R-word–a common taunt used to make fun of
others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that
is clumsy, hapless, and even hopeless. But whether intentional or
not, the word conjures up a painful stereotype of people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. It hurts. Even if you
don’t mean it that way.
People
with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable and
enjoy sharing life experiences – listening to music, playing video
games, watching the latest movies, and yes, having fun – as well
as working together toward athletic excellence and mutually
enriching one-to-one friendships as demonstrated constantly through
Special Olympics and Best Buddies. They can attend school, work,
drive cars, get married, participate in decisions that affect them,
and contribute to society in many ways.
Special
Olympics’ Multi-National Public Opinion Study of Attitudes toward
People with Intellectual Disabilities, conducted by Gallup, reveals
that throughout the world, over 60 percent of people still
believe that people with intellectual disabilities should be
segregated in schools and in the workplace. This is intolerable. We
need massive attitude change now to attack and reverse the stigma
that is destructive to the lives of people with intellectual
disabilities and a barrier to growth.
Did
you know that by casually using the word “retard(ed)” to refer
to an action as less than ideal you are making someone with an
intellectual disability feel less than human - whether you meanto or not? Demeaning any of our fellow human beings by using inappropriate words toward any population negatively impacts all of us.
Have you been bullied? Have your children been bullied? Are you a bully? Has your child has Down Syndrome or another developmental disability and is bullied? How is this different? How do they defend themselves? Hard answer huh?
With the release of the somewhat controversial movie "Bully", it makes me realize the importance of the "R-Word campaign.
The effects of the R-word on people with ID and their families and friends
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. More on Effects >
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
History of the Campaign
2004
In response to Special Olympics athletes’ call for change, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors adopts a resolution to update the movement’s terminology from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disabilities."
2008
Special Olympics launches the website www.r-word.org to combat the inappropriate use of the R-word in common usage.
August 14, 2008
Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and a coalition of national disability organizations, mobilizes a grass-roots campaign against "Tropic Thunder," a DreamWorks production. Special Olympics athletes joined protestors at demonstrations in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., New York City, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Texas. "Tropic Thunder," marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general, contains scenes promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny.
Why "intellectual disability" is replacing "mental retardation"
The R-word, “retard,” is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so retarded” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.
Because of this, Special Olympics, Best Buddies and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes. As language has evolved, Special Olympics and Best Buddies have updated their official terminology to use standard, people-first language that is more acceptable to constituents.
Rosa’s Law and Legislature Challenges
On October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed bill S. 2781 into federal law. Rosa’s Law, which takes its name and inspiration for 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, removes the terms “mental retardation” and "mentally retarded" from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.” The signing of Rosa’s Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities More on Rosa's Law >
WHY THE R-WORD HURTS
Advocates explain why the R-word is so hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech.
The R-word is EXCLUSIVE“What’s wrong with "retard"? I can only tell you what it means to me and people like me when we hear it. It means that the rest of you are excluding us from your group. We are something that is not like you and something that none of you would ever want to be. We are something outside the "in" group. We are someone that is not your kind. I want you to know that it hurts to be left out here, alone.” – Joseph Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger
The R-word IGNORES INDIVIDUALITY“Words matter. People don't need to scoff at others to make a point. Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Tim Shriver, CEO of Special Olympics
The R-word equates intellectual disability with being DUMB OR STUPIDWhen saying the R-word, “What we mean is that he is as stupid as someone who is mentally handicapped, and we mean that in the most derogatory sense. The implication is that the only characteristic of mentally handicapped individuals is their stupidity.” – Crystal, Stanford, CA
The R-word spreads HURT“It is wrong to pain people with your language. Especially, when you have already been made aware of your oral transgression's impact. Make no mistake about it: WORDS DO HURT! And when you pepper your speak with "retard" and "retarded," you are spreading hurt.” – John C. McGinley, actor and star of the hit TV show “Scrubs”
The R-word is OFFENSIVE“The word retard is considered hate speech because it offends people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as the people that care for and support them. It alienates and excludes them. It also emphasizes the negative stereotypes surrounding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the common belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be segregated, hidden away from society, which, in my opinion, is really old fashioned.” – Karleigh Jones, Special Olympics New Zealand athlete
The R-word is INCORRECT“When you say the "R" word it makes people feel bad and it hurts my feelings and I don't want to hear you guys say it. Instead, you can call me a leader, a hero, or a human being, but please don't call me the "R" word.” – Dony Knight, Special Olympics Oregon athlete
The R-word is DEROGATORY“Because the word has become a casual description of anything negative or flawed, ‘retarded’ is no longer considered an appropriate way to describe people with intellectual disabilities. And any use of the word, even when used as slang and not intended to be offensive, is hurtful - because it will always be associated with people who have disabilities.” – Sara Mitton, Board Member, Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association
The R-word fosters LONELINESS“It hurts and scares me when I am the only person with intellectual disabilities on the bus and young people start making “retard” jokes or references. Please put yourself on that bus and fill the bus with people who are different from you. Imagine that they start making jokes using a term that describes you. It hurts and it is scary.” – Joseph Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger
The R-word is HATE SPEECH“I don’t think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don’t realize that you hate. But that’s what it is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them [people with intellectual disabilities], your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it’s nothing but another form of hate. It’s more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything.” – Soeren Palumbo, student, advocate, brother to a sister with an intellectual disability.
