But not until this month have I attended any events that have touched me like the Little Miss Sweetheart Special Needs pageant and the Special Olympics have. They have not only humbled me to no end, but they've given me a new understanding for an often overlooked group of our worlds population. The disabled.
The Special Needs pageant I attended had an organization there who were getting attendants to take a pledge, and sign a banner. This organization was called The R-Word. After hearing what they had to say, and seeing what the organization was all about, I too pledged not to use the r-word.
My platform "Revaluating Rubies: Building Self Esteem" describes the four needs to build healthy self esteem.
1. Strong Foundation-
You are a valuable human being, wonderfully made.
2. Ample Support-. Everybody needs at least one mentor and role model who can encourage them.
3. Quality Materials- When you know that you are valuable, that is when any "self improvement" can occur. if you attempt to hide low self value or attempt self improvement in a negative mental state, it's destructive.
4. Finally, the fourth element is an Open Door- Get involved!
That's my platform in a nutshell and my door is opening wider and wider as I volunteer and experience life with so many people, now including those with disabilities. Bullying or tearing down somebody is not acceptable. Indirectly insulting someone or putting "no offense" before or "just kidding" after a statement does not justify saying it. Attacking self value is attacking a person who feels and thinks the same way you do. So with all this being said, using an originally medical term in a derogatory and demeaning way is not acceptable either. I urge you to take the pledge to not use the r-word.
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