A punch in the gut. Someone spitting in your face. A cruel insult.

Friend, that’s how hurtful, demeaning, and destructive the R-word is to the millions of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) worldwide. Our children with autism, our friends with Down syndrome, and our neighbors with cerebral palsy are not slow or stupid. They are not less than human, but that’s how the R-word can pain them and their families. 

Each year at Special Olympics, we work to raise awareness about the effects of the R-word and stop its use for good through the Spread the Word: Inclusion campaign. As we approach Spread the Word Day on March 3, will you commit to ending the use of the R-word — and building a more inclusive society where all are accepted? Join me and sign the Spread the Word pledge today!

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When my mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, launched Special Olympics, she envisioned a more just world. She believed in the talents and gifts of people with ID, including her sister, Rosemary. She believed that acceptance and inclusion could spark growth and understanding. She believed in the importance of equal opportunities on the field, in school, in the workplace, and in our communities.

We’ve come a long way during Special Olympics’ 52 years. Today, we reach over 5.7 million athletes in 200 countries and jurisdictions — and more than 800,000 Special Olympics supporters committed to spread inclusion by signing our pledge.  

But, we still have a long way to go because the R-word is still out there. It’s used in 60% of negative social media posts about people with ID and recently resurged during the GameStop phenomenon on Reddit. To the people posting, it may feel innocuous or even funny to share it. But to our athletes and people with ID, it’s a slur; a form of bullying; a word that reinforces isolation, exclusion, and fear.

That’s why it’s so important that allies like you, Friend, rally around Spread the Word Day and join our efforts to stop the use of this hurtful word. Together, with kindness, support, and respect for everyone, we can build a more inclusive world.

Make your pledge for inclusion now: [link removed]
Thank you,

Tim Shriver
Chairman, Special Olympics

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Special Olympics
1133 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036-3604
United States
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