Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/56088
March 7 is Spread the Word to End the R-Word Day The power of words - by Jon Buzby Karen Gaffney's message to nearly 300 high school students was important enough that she flew across the country to deliver it. H er message was pretty simple: "I want friends just like everyone else does," she said. Karen Gaffney Sussex Tech students collect signatures showing student commitment to end the "R" word. Gaffney has swum across the English Channel in 60-degree water, battling enormous waves and dodging jelly fish. She once swam for nine straight hours while crossing Lake Tahoe. She has even "Escaped from Alcatraz" in a swim across San Francisco Bay, boasting, "Unlike some of the prisoners, I lived to talk about it." The fact that she has done these things would be impressive under any circumstances. The fact she did them without the use of her left leg due to a lifelong hip problem, makes it even more amazing. Biggest challenge not the English Channel, but mak- ing friends She told the students those feats are nothing compared to her biggest challenge: Making friends. "The gymnasiums, cafeterias and hallways can be a very lonely place for people like me," Gaffney explained. "Making friends is easy for some, but for me it's harder than my swims." Gaffney, 34, has Down Syndrome, and traveled from her home in Portland, Oregon, to deliver a sim- ple yet profound message to her audience: "There are people in your schools who are different, just like me. Just like me, they want to have friends. Or better yet, a circle of friends." Her message resonated loud and clear with the students represent- ing 36 high schools at the annual Special Olympics Delaware Project UNIFY Conference, held January 8 at the University of Delaware. The purpose of the conference was to motivate students to return to their high schools and begin plans for March 7, when schools all over the country will hold events. March 7 is Spread the Word to End the Word Day The campaign is in its third year and was created by Special Olympics and Best Buddies. Here in Delaware and in states around the country, the campaign is spearhead- ed by Special Olympics' Project UNIFY initiative. "I've seen how hurtful the use of the R-word (retard) can be," says Kaitlin Repella, a senior at William Penn High School in Colonial, and member of the Project UNIFY committee. "I want to make a difference and help change the environment at my school." day by taking balloons with the R- word written on them outside and releasing them. Even the big, tough football players had tears in their eyes." Whether spoken thoughtlessly or with intent, a word can have a strong impact. Asking high school students to think about how their rience for students. "It has changed the culture of our school to be toler- ant of differences no matter what people may look like or sound like," Bench says. "In addition, it brings about awareness and allows our students to stop and think about the words that they are using and how hurtful their words can be to oth- ers. Even the students that used to use the R-word as a funny term of endearment to their friends now challenge themselves to use other words. " is not just a one day event. It Sussex Tech students pledge to "End the R-word." casual use of the R-word perpetu- ates a negative stereotype is a pow- erful first step in garnering respect for people with intellectual disabili- ties. " is a wonderful program that Donna Amis oversees the Day at Concord High School and says there's no doubt it has an impact, even on the "tough guys." "I think the campaign was one of the most unifying projects our school has been involved in," Amis says. "It was so heartwarming to see almost the entire staff proudly wearing their t-shirts. We ended the 8 February 2012 DSEA ACTION! allows students to understand that slang words hurt and are hateful to others," Smyrna High School Teacher Whitney Reed-Pierson says. "Through this program, my students have learned that their language reflects who they are and how they want to be perceived. I have noticed in the few years Smyrna High School has participat- ed, that the student population now views these students like regular high school students and not people who are different." Kelly Bench, a social studies teacher at Hodgson Vo-Tech, says the event is a life-changing expe- radiates throughout the halls of Hodgson every single day." For more information on how you can get your school involved in the March 7 Spread the Word to End the Word event, contact Ruth Coughlan at coughlan@ udel.edu or 302-831-4048, or visit www.sode.org. Students sign Middletown High School's pledge banner. Barbara MacGeorge (center) is a special needs para and vice president of her local union. Jon Buzby is the director of media relations for Special Olympics Delaware. He can be reached at his office in Newark at 302-831-3484. www.dsea.org Spread the Word to End the Word to End the R-Word Spread the Word Spread the Word to End the Word Spread the Word to End the Word Spread the Word to End the Word Spread the Word to End the Word