I’m asking you to do something today.
To be a champion for my brother and all those like him.
Please go here, and make your pledge to stop using the r-word.
Then spread the word to your friends, family and those around you.
Let them know that it’s not okay to use the r-word.
“When saying the R-word: What we mean is that he is as stupid as someone who is mentally handicapped, and we mean that in the most derogatory sense. The implication is that the only characteristic of mentally handicapped individuals is their stupidity.” – Crystal, Stanford, CA
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oh my goodness, your brother is the most precious thing ever. I love that he loves music so much. “I want to be a good brother..a good friend…a good missionary…”
Oh, Cori. I think we all have so much to learn from him.
God bless you guys
That video was so sweet, thank you for sharing it! I think removing the r-word is great thing!
On a completely unrelated note, I was at walgreens yesterday and thought of you when I saw they had buy 1 get one free organix moroccan oil, so just fyi.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Oh my goodness. I love Matt so much. I’m totally crying watching that video; doesn’t help that you used “Golden Slumbers” (one of the best songs of all time). I stopped using the R-word when I was a kid thanks to you guys, and I try to teach others to do the same when I hear it. Great message Cori!
best.post.ever. i love this and like amy said i think we all can learn something from your brother.
It turned out so good sis. Precious, every part of it. I love that boy more than words can express. Thanks for posting.
What a doll your brother is! I love the video and the cause – thanks for posting.
This post warmed me to my very core. Matt is such a sweetheart and I couldn’t agree more that the r-word needs to disappear forever.
I started following your blog recently for the fashion, style tips etc. but now I can relate on a completely different note, I have grown up with an autistic boy my age and an extremely mentally and physically handicapped boy. They have been apart of my family for my entire life and are actually considered my closest friends! I was apart of a group against the r word in college and I have to say that uconn is now fully aware of the harshness that comes with the word! I love this blog post! Thank you
This was a wonderful tribute. You have a wonderful family.
this is beautiful! my friend is miss saint paul 2012 and she’s also championing for this campaign as well. more awareness needs to be made, thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute as well.
What a great post, your brother is so sweet.
I can see the love you all have for him.
He sure loves his music and food doesn’t he!
I’m sure he’s the best uncle ever to your little ones!
I’ve spread the word by posting a link on my teeny blog.
Have a good day Cori!
What a precious brother you have, Cori. It’s sad that the “r” word has become derogatory. Initially, it was used to refer to the delayed development or growth of something, not just humans. I have heard it used in a college class when describing the delayed or slow growth of a plant. I do agree, though, that it should not be used when referring to people. My favorite thing that Matt said was he wanted to be a good missionary. We should all strive to be missionaries in our own community. We serve Christ by serving others.
Cori, your video brought tears to my eyes in a good way. My sister has down syndrome as well and is 20-years-old. She brings such love and joy to my life. I hate the r-word and anytime anyone ever has used it around me I call them out. I wish I didn’t have to. There are so many other words in the dictionary, why use such a degrating and hurtful word. Thank you so much for posting this. I would have never found out about this cause if you didn’t.
Beautiful, thanks for sharing and teaching.
Cori,
Perfect. You have a gift sissy. I cried through the entire video. Thank you for rising to the occation:)
meg
I don’t think I realized how important this was until I became a mom. Going through the routine blood work for pregnancy, I knew Ioved my baby no matter what the results said. And I would never want anyone to make my child feel like anything less than the miracle she was.
This post made me realize I have been following you for a year. I found your blog last year on this day because I follow Spread the Word on Facebook, and they linked to you. When I hear the R word, I literally have a physical reaction because it is so painful for me. I worked 3 summers at a camp for kids/teens with special needs and 1 full year as a caregiver for a teen with CP. I am a different person for having done so, and I have met some of the most amazing people through it. Your brother seems amazing and hilarious and so kind. Loved the post. Thanks for making me cry at work. ;)
That was an amazing video, your brother is adorable. I love this post, I have a special place in my heart for people with Downs after coaching special olympics for 6 years. They have such a wonderful, innocent and sweet way of looking at life….if only everyone could see things as they do.
I usually don’t respond to blog posts even though I have been checking your blog everyday for awhile now. But I just wanted to say thank you for posting this today. I wasn’t aware of this specific organization. Ordered two of the shirts for my boyfriend and I. He is in school now to be a special Ed teacher and coincidentally today is his birthday.
That’s RIGHT! Your brother is amazing and thank you for writing this. It’s people like you who bring the right kind of awareness and I always fight the r-word. I’m glad to have someone special in mind when I do it, now. BLESS you and your family! You’re amazing.
I’ll always remember your brother – for as long as I live. He has such a sweet demeanor, and is just full of love. Thanks for sharing, Cori!
This is such a great video. He seems like such a sweet person. Great cause.
oh cori, what a sweet video. definitely on board with this. <3
What an awesome video :) And he did a fantastic job singing Edelweiss.
Such a sweet video! It is obvious you love your brother alot. =) Thanks.
Alesha <3
BEAUTIFUL! In every way!
Your brother seems like such a great and sweet person! I will gladly make this pledge!
What a wonderful cause. I’m so glad people are realizing that word is so ugly. My friend has a daughter with downs, and that child has been a blessing to all that have known her. She is the cutest, happiest kid I know and they make this world a better place. http://www.hotcelebration.com
As a special ed teacher, I say AMEN! I ask people all the time to not say the r-word. People with mental retardation are amazing, often far better people than the ones saying the r-word!
I agree with you. My brother had downs and passes away just before he turned 5 months old. I love him so much. I get so frustrated when people use that word, I know it’s not what they mean but in a way it is.
You go girl!
beautiful video of your sweet brother. gladly pledging :)
Cori:
Thank you for sharing a little piece of Matt with us. What a truly “special” guy. You can tell he is the sweetest. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve used the r-word, never to descirbe a person, but to discribe a situation. I vow to you and Matt to never use the word again. I’m in tears and can only thank you for sharing.
Perfect.
I pledge.
My fiance and I pledged and ordered our shirts last night! I was so excited to see a post about this today! Good to know the word to spread the word is SPREADING! ;D
Cori,
Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing, I will gladly pledge:)
Cori,
Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing, I will gladly pledge:)
Thanks for sharing this video and introducing your brother Cori! He is so precious!
Love.Love.
The suspenders- you brother is so dapper. What a sweet video, powerful and thoughtfully presented message, and wonderfully enormous grins all around. Siblings are truly the best gift in life.
Great video and message. thank you for sharing! I love your blog. keep up the good work.
Oh Cori, I just cried through that whole video! Thanks for sharing. I love your brother, and I don’t even really know him. :) Thanks for spreading this message.
I loved it so so so much!! Made me cry too!! Perfect tribute to your wonderful brother. He is awesome, and so are you!!
I Pledge!….& and shared your video on Facebook! hope thats okay!
What a great tribute to your brother and your love for him! Thank you for sharing it!
that video made me cry. your brother seems like a wonderful guy. thanks for sharing. i pledged :)
Wow. Matthew said more in his short clip than many say in a lifetime. Is. 33:24. Thank you.
So Sweet.
I pledged two years ago. Then we moved to Texas and my daughter’s status in school was officially labeled as such. It broke my heart. I hear the word all the time and even friends make light of it when I ask them to stop using it. Thank you for helping with the awareness.
Cori…as the mother of a 5 year special needs son I just want to thank you for doing this! I didn’t know this organization exsisted. Your brother looks so happy. I am waiting for the day that my sons tells me he loves me.
This was so great, Cor. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, Matty! And seeing Tashi and Aunt Nora gave me goosebumps, as well. :))
This is great. :) I pledged.
Thank you for posting this and bringing awareness to people like me who had never heard of this before. I made the pledge and shared it on FB.
thank you for posting the video of your brother. it is awesome to see how much joy people with downs syndrome can bring. i know this firsthand as i have a son who is 20 months old with down syndrome. and thanks for raising awareness against the r-word.
Just had to add to the other comments… thank you for posting about your awesome brother! We adopted our sweet girl from China a year ago, she happened to be born with DS, and she is such a blessing to us!
Wow this is awesome! I have an autistic brother and want to be a special education teacher so I totally understand where you are comming from. Every since I was little I would yell at people who said the R words and I get annoyed still any time I hear it. This is such a great way for you to spread the word about it. Love your blog and love this post :)
What a small world!! I’ve been reading your blog for a while since I love fashion and what not. Well I go to Logan High School and I have to amazing opportunity to be in special needs seminary and Matt is in my class! I could never put into words how wonderful he is and how much I enjoy being in the same class as Matt, he talks about his family all the time and anyone can tell just how much he loves you guys :)