Today I turn my blog over to a very special guest writer. This is a subject near and dear to my heart, as is the author.
Developmental and mental health disorders (DMH) are the last bastion of acceptable discrimination in modern society. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, religion, creed, colour and socio-economic status still exist, but are frowned upon.
However it is quite acceptable to make “retard” jokes.
People use the word retarded (and its variations) in common lexicon without any thought to the pain that it may cause to the person beside them. The general population does not see how using a slur like the r-word can be harmful. End The R- Word is a movement organized to bring awareness to this discriminatory practice, but it is having trouble getting support outside the DMH community.
People who disclose their mental or developmental health issues are also routinely denied paying jobs. If that happened to any other segment of society there would be outrage and charges laid *
