A "minority" that is sometimes overlooked

I can't say how many times my son came home upset because someone called his sister a freak or some other name. She never cared being detached from the whole thing and being autistic she doesn't generally care what others think of her. It gets far worse. Someone came up with the bright idea that everyone, regardless of mental ability, has the right to an independent life where they make their own decisions. When it works for them great, but it doesn't always work to their benefit. I just ordered legal papers for power of attorney because of a simple meltdown when she had to talk to someone to give them permission to speak with me. I need to get guardianship of her but that costs more than power of attorney. She also hates to sign papers but if she knows she'll never have to talk on the phone again, she'll gladly sign. She has no concept of what being equal to others means. All she knows is routine.

Here is even another minority that gets over looked, which happens to be the smallest of all the minority groups, the individual.

I agree with you, mentally challanged Americans don't have a very loud voice and are often the subject of ridicule and rudeness. One of the nicest things about the little town I live in is the way folks here look out for each other on a regular basis. My youngest daughter went through all four years of high school here, in a very small school where all of the kids knew each other. One boy in her grade had Downs and everyone looked out for him. My daughter played the guitar and he took Band, too. He wanted to play the piano and she along with just about everyone else in the class helped him practice every day for his part in the Christmas program. His part was small...and very easy to play. He did well and when he was done the entire band stood up and applauded...all of us in the audience did, too...and he gave us a deep bow right before he high fived everyone on stage who he could reach. It was priceless. The following year he was able to play with other members of the band, again because he received so much help and support and, again, he received a standing ovation and hammed it up when he was done. The thought of someone treating him, or anyone like him, rudely ticks me off, too.

See I never got the idea of someone not serving someone because of a disability or because of ethnicity. That is just bad business. That department store lost a sale and gained ill-will all at once. That just seems like a bad idea reguardless of decency concerns.

Spicey, I hate to admit it, but I have been one of those insensitive people. I use the word "retard" for a multipurpose descriptive. Generally, it's not said with any malice. Like "Gawd, my husband is so retarded when it comes to horses!". I don't find that offensive, neither does he, but does it offend you? I worked for a small family biz a while back, the family has an autistic son, who was always a pleasure to be around. Then they hired a kid (16 yrs old) with Asbergers. One every level this kid was beyond annoying. Slow & sloppy worker, talked incessantly about nothing, ate and drank everyone's food/ drinks, begged for money, came late, left early...and I as his manager had deadlines & orders to meet, I was the one being held responsible. I lost it during a meeting with the boss, used the word retard in a very un PC way, but I really did mean what I said, the work product was NOT equal, therefor the pay should not have been equal. Why should the entire staff suffer to accommodate an unskilled, unemployable kid with a serious health/learning issue? I understand that come across as harsh, but I honestly believe there is a purpose for all of us, somewhere in this great world. We are all flawed in some way, we tend to forget that to often.

i don't really have any family or friends that suffer from autism but i do have one friend who has mild downs syndrome and she feels very self conscious about doing anything even though her iq as tested is normal. i think she gets idiotic abuse when working because she looks a little handicapped.

If one thinks about it, we are ALL in a minority of some sort. but as Rollo said in a response below, this is a minority with out a voice, they won't protests, they won't for the most part fight the system. I despise prejudice againt any other person for any other reason but this is an area that raises my anger more than any other.

I had forgotten about that Special Olympics joke. You'd think anyone who figured they were smart enough to be president would be smart enough not to say anything like that. The problem is that they are the minority without a voice. They aren't going to march through Washington, they aren't going to stage protests. No one views them as a voting bloc that must be courted. As much as people disliked Sarah Palin talking about her son Trig, she was a voice for the disabled on a national stage that everyone could hear. If we want to truly call ourselves human beings, our concern for others must extend beyond those who can articulate their needs, we must be extra sensitive to those whose voice may never be heard without careful listening. Those with special needs must be given the opportunity to succeed where they can and support in the areas where they can't succeed on their own. Those who are involved in their lives - family, friends, employers, social workers - whoever they are, must be the ones to speak up and be a voice that demands to be heard. People need exposure to the problems faced by those with developmental disabilities and mental challenges. Otherwise, there will always be this gap in understanding and prejudice against them may never be overcome.

Can you tell me about Special Olympic joke of Obama? What's that?

I hadn't heard of Obama's comment. Wow. I bet if it had been George Bush who had said something that we'd be hearing it over and over again and he'd be under fire! It nearly enrages me to hear of that store refusing service to your friend. Does that store refuse service to everyone they can't understand? How ridiculous and cruel. Disabilities, whether mental or physical, are not as big of an issue as they should be when it comes to minorities. Perhaps because they are not as immediately noticeable. That doesn't make it right, of course. I agree with you that it is an issue as important as race and racism. People just don't seem to be as aware of it.