This is a reminder that March 31 has been set aside to raise awareness of the words "retarded," "retard," "'tard" and "retardation."  These words have become commonly used to say something, or someone, is crazy, lame or stupid.

It was recently an issue when President Obama said his bowling was like something in the Special Olympics on Leno.  While he immediately apologized and sought to make amends, many still do not realize the harm of the word.

People with intellectual disabilities, those that love them and other caring people have been hurt by some in society's lack of respect in using these terms for a laugh; these are not funny ways to use this word and its equivalents.  These usages are slurs that show a lack of common decency in using them, usually as the result of ignorance.

Please listen to those around you.  If you hear someone say these hurtful words, please ask them to stop.  If, like in the movie Tropic Thunder, they are used as the punchline of a joke, please boycott the maker of that "joke."

As we all know, words can hurt.  And these do.  Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to all that will try to help stamp out this hurtful language.