Dear Editor,

I often wonder if people realize the impact of using the word ‘retarded’. Do they realize how they could be hurting the person standing beside them when they use this word? I would think that in this day and time, with the way that people are about speaking politically correct, that this would be one word that is no longer used.

The definition of retarded is slow not “stupid”. There were/are many great people in history who were considered to be developmentally delayed. Without those people we would be without many inventions, music, stories and poems. Just because someone is developmentally delayed does not mean that they are not able to go out into society and be a productive member. Each and every person out there that has been labeled with developmental delay or mental handicap is someone’s family member. They are someone who is loved and cared for.

Next time that you are standing in line at the grocery store and you use the word retarded, stop and think. The woman standing in front you may have a son who is developmentally delayed. She may have just received some news about her child’s future and what is in store for him. How would you feel if you were standing in her shoes?

Thank you for your time,

Alison Allen

Mason, W.Va.