Sticks and stones

God made all people. Everyone in the world has individual characteristics. My little sister is no exception. At age one, my sister was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Becki, now at age 11, cannot walk, or use her muscles the same as everyone else. She has been confined to a wheelchair for some years now. She may not be able to comprehend some ideas as fast as others. Becki may not be able to understand hurtful words that some say about disabled people, but I know what they are saying.

When my sister was only in kindergarten, the prejudice was already starting to come into our lives. One day in Sunday school, a little boy came up to my sister and told her that he could not be her friend because she was in a wheelchair. I don't know if she understood why, but I can't stand the ignorance that some have toward people with disabilities. Hopefully this child was just too young to understand, and didn't really know what he was claiming.

One time at the mall, my family and I were enjoying ourselves, and an ignorant man came up to us and rudely commented, "She wouldn't be in a wheelchair if it were not for your sinning." We all stood puzzled at this statement. My family goes to church every Sunday and we believe in Christian values. He may have believed strongly that we were to blame, but he should have kept it to himself.

I understand what Becki is going through because I know her well. I often stick up for Becki, or any disabled person who is being made fun of, because if I don't, probably no one else will.

At school, some kids use the word "retarded" because it isn't a curse word. In my opinion a curse word is one that causes hurt. I feel that "retarded" is a hurtful word. These people don't see how it can be hurtful to those around them. I may not be handicapped, but I see how bad this word can hurt those who are.

My sister is a slow learner, and if that is what the person means, then that's what they should say. But if their intent is to insult someone or something, then it upsets me.

I once had a teacher who used the word "retarded" about 10 times every day during class. He would sometimes comment to a classmate, "You forgot to get your test signed again. That is just retarded."

This made me so mad I wanted to say something, but I couldn't get up the nerve. I felt that if I'd said something, he'd just think I was some kid complaining about nothing. I even thought about dropping that class to switch teachers. I wish I had stood up to him and told him how I felt.

I may seem to get carried away about this, and probably actually do, but I have to stick up for what I believe in. I have to do this because I see how awful it is to handicapped people, especially to my sister.

It doesn't matter the race, creed or abilities. What matters is the size of your heart and how you use it. I believe that this motto of mine is my greatest value, and it helps me become a stronger and better person.

Steven Nation is a sophomore at Jackson High School.