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See the person, not the disability
March is National Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability Awareness Month
LEXINGTON - The theme for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness month 2008 is "Success - when doors open we succeed."
Rockbridge Area Community Services' community support services unit is celebrating MRDD Awareness Month in March and invites citizens to consider the true meaning of this year's theme, "Success!"
RACS staff explained that mental retardation is one kind of developmental disability. People with developmental disabilities may experience difficulty in such areas as self-care, language, mobility, learning, self direction, independent living or self-sufficiency. Some common developmental disabilities, in addition to mental retardation, are epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and Tourette syndrome.
"This is a time when RACS focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve," said Mike Gieseke- Smith, RACS' community support services director. "During MRDD awareness month, we encourage people to learn about hundreds of people in this community who have a disability.
"For example, when you see a child who uses a wheelchair, see the child, not the disability. And when you see a man with mental retardation working at your local supermarket, see the man, not his disability."
"The 'Success!' theme encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools," said Gieseke-Smith.
He continued, "Make an effort during March's Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability month to get acquainted with someone who has a developmental disability. You'll learn that everyone has something to offer. Focus on what people 'can' do."
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