Words Matter... I'm sure you have heard the common phrase "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Sometimes this isn't always the case. As a young teen, I learned that the "R" word is not a word to be taken lightly. The "R-word" is exclusive. John Franklin Stephens (Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger) once said, "What’s wrong with "retard"? I can only tell you what it means to me and people like me when we hear it. It means that the rest of you are excluding us from your group. We are something that is not like you and something that none of you would ever want to be. We are something outside the "in" group. We are someone that is not your kind. I want you to know that it hurts to be left out here, alone.” Why would you want someone to hurt and feel alone? Even though you may not realize you are hurting somebody this small word can hurt. I know this from experience. I have someone very close to me. A family member with disabilities. Even though she is young she still hurts when she isn't invited to play on the playground at school with her peers. Instead, she stays to herself and plays alone. Join me in putting an end to exclusion and start including ALL. I want everyone to feel loved. Sign this petition and pledge to never use the "R-word." BE THE CHANGE.