Students Work To Make The 'R' Word Obsolete

By Kathy Walsh

PARKER, Colo. (CBS4)- They call it the "R" word ... retard or retarded. It can be a cruel label for a person with intellectual disabilities.

For years now, there has been a national campaign called "Spread the Word to End the Word." This year, students at Legend High School in Parker decided to show the entire student body how much that word can hurt.

The students were peer interns, helping the students with special needs one on one in English class. Senior Madison O'Connor came up with the idea of producing a video where the teenagers could speak up about the R word.

"I think it's just disrespectful," O'Connor said. "These kids are known to be happy and loving, but when you get down to the nitty gritty of it, it hurts them."

The video, now posted on YouTube, was shown to the Legend High School student body at the spring assembly in April. In it, the students with disabilities talk emotionally about the R word.

They explain how it makes them sad and upset. They share examples of when they were labeled by other students. Some even cry on camera.

The video also includes the words the students with disabilities would like to define them. They hold signs including "I am a cheerleader and talented," "I am a good friend" and "I am loving."

"It touched me from the heart," said 18-year-old Kamari Scott.

Sixteen-year-old Bella Kirshner was asked if kids are nicer to her now.

"Yes, a lot nicer," Kirshner said.

At Legend there was also a banner students could sign pledging not to use the R word, but instead work to end it. The message in the video is clear ... forget the R word. Choose another word. Choose respect.

Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.