For Immediate Release
March 12, 2009
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Special Olympics site about the campaign for dignity
www.r-word.org
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Spread the Word to
End the Word
Letter from the President
of Special Olympics Montana
Dear Friends of Special Olympics Montana:
This past February, we held our 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise/Sun Valley/McCall, Idaho uniting nearly 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries. As part of these historic Games, we gathered 130 young people with and without intellectual disabilities for a week-long activation summit and thousands more at a Youth Rally. The motivation of young people to make change in the world for people with intellectual disabilities is inspiring.
On February 9, during the week of activities, Dick Morris used the word "retarded" in a demeaning way on the O'Reilly Factor. The students of the Youth Activation Summit acted swiftly and reached out to FOX and Bill O'Reilly to educate and engage them on this blunder. On February 12, Bill O'Reilly gave an on-air apology. see it now
Recently I received an e-mail showing, of all things, an expired 1985 Montana license plate that says "Retard" on it and apparently is (or was) for sale on eBay. see photo It really is time to put an end to the use of this hurtful, demeaning word.
Young people have found their power and are leading an effort for Special Olympics called "Spread the Word to End the Word." Students across the country are planning local events for 3.31.09 to end the use of the R-word and to garner more pledges of support. The goal is 100,000 on-line pledges by the end of the March at www.r-word.org.
We invite you to join us as we "Spread the Word to End the Word" this month. Help the youth spread the word by mobilizing your athletes, volunteers, coaches, staff, families and local youth to support their efforts. Graphics, tools and resources can be found at http://www.specialolympics.org/stw_resources.aspx
Bob Norbie
President/CEO
Special Olympics Montana
ACT NOW!
Pledge to not use the "R word"
Watch the "R-word" video on-line
Let's all join together and put an end to such demeaning language! Be a fan of acceptance, inclusion, unity and community. Be a fan of Special Olympics Montana!
Contact: Bob Norbie
CEO and President
bnorbie@somt.org
Special Olympics Montana
PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT 59403
800-242-6876
406-216-5327
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