BOISE -- Spread the Word to End the Word. It's a nationwide campaign aimed at stopping people from using the word "retarded" to describe those with intellectual disabilities.
Wednesday is National End the R-word Day. Schools across the valley are using a recently produced video to help spread the message.
The video, created by the Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association, was released as part of the National End the R-word Day, and it’s getting a lot of attention on YouTube.
“My sister is 14, and she goes to Fairmont Junior High. She has Down syndrome,” said Tegan Maestretti.
Maestretti and her sister are featured in the video. Tegan said it was important for her to share her message with the world on why the R-word should be stopped.
“It hurts people that have siblings or friends with disabilities, and it hurts so they should stop saying the word,” said Maestretti.
The video is also being used in classrooms in the Treasure Valley as a teaching tool. Randi Sinclair, a second grade teacher at Morley Nelson Elementary School in Boise, used the video to start a discussion with her students on Wednesday afternoon.
For Maestretti, she's hoping the message resonates with people, and they'll think twice about using the R-word.
“She's the best sister ever. I really like her. She's the best sister I could ever have,” said Maestretti.
