Featured image credit: SWNS
The line between what is the 'right' and 'wrong' way to help a disabled person them can often become blurred. Even in 2016, the topic of dealing with genetic disorders can be a taboo. One mum is attempting to quash this, but not in a way you might have guessed.
Sian Isaac, 31, calls her Down's syndrome son a 'retard' because she wants her son to grow up and be able to laugh at himself.
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Sian says it'll make Josh, 8, stronger in the long run.
Sian has launched an online blog to express and enlighten others on what it's like to raise a child with a genetic condition like Down's.
Image credit: SWNS
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She said: "I don't call Josh a retard all of the time. I used that word, rightly or wrongly, before he was born. I don't use it in the house very often at all. I'd say to Ollie 'stop being a retard' so I would not then not say it to Josh just because he has Down's syndrome.
People in the Down's syndrome world would think retard is the worst remark. Rightly or wrongly I would call someone a retard. It's not meant offensively; It's just a word and I've not stopped doing using it, just less."
Sian, who has a second son called Oliver, went on to explain that growing up in an environment where slanderous tags like 'retard' are used so much that they lose their effect can hopefully benefit Josh.
Image credit: SWNS
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She added: "We are trying to teach him you don't need to get offended by those people as it's not worth it. We are just a bit more realistic I suppose.
I would never use it as an offensive term at all and if anyone did in my presence I wouldn't like it."
Do you think Sian's approach is a good one?
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Down's Syndrome