Dear Ann Coutler, please don’t use the “R” word

Dear Ann Coutler,

I’m sure you’ve been inundated with tweets ever since you sent this out:

I appreciate you’re putting your viewpoint across and yes, there is such a thing as freedom of speech but did you really have to use the “R” word?

No matter how much you’d like your candidate to win the Election, resorting to cheap, offensive jibes isn’t the way to do it. Your tweet has had so many RTs too – people agreeing and finding it humorous or people offended? It would be interesting to know.

I know you weren’t using the “R” word in its medical context, a term that is still used in clinical diagnoses in the USA.

Someone who has special needs or care for a special needs individual are deeply offended by the “R” word used in a derogatory or insulting way, there is no place for its use in (what I hope is) an enlightened society.

How many of your followers will now think it’s acceptable to use that word as an insult? Please see my post It’s a matter of taste.., something I wrote in response to the comedians that mock the special needs community for a quick laugh.

This is my daughter, she has brown hair, blue eyes and autism. She has learning difficulties, motor delays and sensory issues. Please think of her and the many other photos of special needs children you have been sent before you use that word again.

There is a website where you can pledge “to eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word” click here it would be so good for awareness if you pledged.

Thank you.