Lesson #15: Choose Your Words Carefully

There are lots of people that will teach you so much more than I can if you just open your eyes and see the lesson. The word retard or retarded is used in such a common way now it is disturbing. Stevie, as you get older, choose your words carefully because even a word said in the most innocent way can hurt someone else.

I cannot wait for you to meet your Uncle Bryan. Daddy’s brother has taught him more about curiosity than any cat, more about excitement than any last second field goal, and more about innocence then any newborn baby. Stevie, your Uncle Bryan watches every Cubs game like it is the seventh game of the World Series. Uncle Bryan was in his late teens, and still could not wait for Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to arrive. And Daddy will never forget Freddy. Freddy was Uncle Bryan’s best friend. Freddy would come by to visit everyday. Your Grandpa and Grandma did not like Freddy because he would poke holes in all the screens trying to say Hi to Uncle Bryan. See Stevie, Freddy was a crow. Yes, Daddy said a crow!  You had to see the friendship between Freddy and Uncle Bryan to believe it. Your Uncle Bryan is always into something or another. The one thing Daddy can guarantee is there will never be a dull moment when you get to hang out with your Uncle Bryan.

Stevie, choose your words with care, because some words are hurtful to others. Uncle Bryan and the special needs community have taught me so much. They are perfection. They are in their purest state, always. Uncle Bryan is one of my greatest teachers. He has taught me that being unique is a blessing. He has taught me how to be patient and understanding, and most of all how to love unconditionally. We are all human, Stevie. We all feel pain when others say hurtful things to us, even if they are not doing it consciously. Everyone wants to be treated with the same dignity and respect, so choose your words with care.