Think Before You Speak

We teach our children that they should never say the "F" word. We teach them that it is disrespectful, hurtful and derogatory to say the "N" word. We would never tell our children that it is okay to use any racial slurs. However, many children commonly use the word retarded when joking with their friends, and their parents sit by and say nothing. Parents should explain the meaning of that word, and explain to their children why it is so offensive to many people. The "R" word is to a person with a disability as the "N" word is to an African American. That word should not be used. Intellectual disability or developmental disability are much more respectful words.

Disability is a natural part of life. Everyone's life! If you are a person without a disability, you need to realize, you are only one car accident, stroke, fall, or a tragedy away from being a person with a disability. If the day comes that you should need to use a wheelchair, or loose the ability to speak, see or hear, you would still want to be treated with respect. Would you like to be called a retard? Even those with very significant disabilities, those who have trouble communicating, often can understand what is being said to them. They feel sadness, anger, and pain just like anyone else. We need to treat everyone as a person first and look at their disabilities second.

Rosa's Law was signed by President Obama in October 2010. This law will change the words "mental retardation" (MR) in federal law, to "intellectual disability " (ID). Governor Joe Manchin signed a similar law in West Virginia that will stop the use of this word in all future documents in the state. Now that we have the law on our side, we need to educate the general public about this hurtful word. Remember, every person with a disability is also someones child, parent, sibling or friend. Think before you speak!

Written by:
The members of People's First Morgantown

peoplefirstwv.org

Hello, my name is Greg Bilonick.

I am 23 years old. I love watching football, wrestling, and all kinds of movies, and I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). I live in Morgantown, WV with my parents who are both hearing impaired. We are all huge fans of WVU & Steelers.

My dream to become a disability rights advocate:

When I turned eighteen, one of my high school teachers told me about the MR/DD waiver. She thought I should apply for it. The MR/DD waiver is a health care program that reimburses for services that helps people with disabilities. Some of the services include, case management, job placement, training, education, and personal attendant services. The waiver could help the person achieve a better quality of life. I decided to apply for waiver benefits, I was denied. They said I did not meet the qualifications, although i knew I did. I appealed the decision, and it was denied again. I was denied three times. I went to a state agency for help, and they told me they would not help me challenge the decision. It was at this time I enlisted the help of two great advocates. Mike O'Brien and Ken Ervin helped me appeal the decision. Ken even went to court on my behalf. They fought for my rights. It was because of these great advocates that I was finally approved for MR/DD waiver. They were my mentors and my friends. I want to help others the way they helped me, that it why I decided to become an advocate. After talking to Russell from Job Squad. He told me that, I could start my own business by utilizing waiver supports. I knew right away that advocacy is what I wanted to do. Job Squad helped me write a business plan, obtain a business license, open a bank account, and do everything I needed to get my business started. I am now contracted with Job Squad to meet with Harrison County High School Students. I help them explore options for life after high school. Including future education, job training, or MR/DD waiver.I get to know the students and give them advice and direction to help them achieve their employment goals. I'm hoping to create a transition Program like this one in Monongalia County, so I can expand my clientele and help many students from Monongalia County. I still have a lot of work to do to meet my career goals, but I am on my way. I am thankful I have had the opportunity to pursue my dreams of being an advocate. I couldn't have done it without, the inspiration of Ken and Mike and the support of Job Squad and the MR/DD waiver.

If you believe it, you can achieve it!