For many people my age, the word 'retirement' has even worse connotations. One of my friends shrivels her nose whenever the topic comes up, as if the very word contains a whiff of nursing home. For my husband, the word is freighted with images of ancients in Florida.

As children, we heard the R-word all the time -- on the playground, on the bus, even coming out of our own mouths. Even as adults we hear the R-word being used in so-called polite company.

These amazing athletes are the ones that educate our community each day so that the "r-word" is not accepted.

Even after having Pip, close people in my life still use the word without thinking. And while I'm not normally an "R-Word Crusader," I do have to honestly admit I cringe inside each and every time I hear it said.

If you want to join us in building a world of respect and connectedness, then your directive is clear and simple: be good to people with intellectual disabilities.

We decided to take a stand to make our school a more inclusive and welcoming place. To do so, we believed our school needed to stop using the R-word.