Personal Reflection on Eliminating Harmful Language for World Down Syndrome Day
By
Katy Cowan
Lightly browned and well buttered. A solid pick from the rack.
Summary
A personal reflection on the importance of eliminating harmful language, particularly the R-word, in the context of World Down Syndrome Day 2026 and CoorDown's 'Just Evolve' campaign. The author shares a deeply personal story about their aunt with Down syndrome who faced public mockery but responded with grace and love, highlighting why offensive language needs to be left behind and why this campaign matters on a personal level.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledMy first words were my aunty's name. She had Down syndrome, and she was my best friend for my entire life.
My aunty – the person I loved more than almost anyone – was occasionally mocked in the street.
People would say cruel things and pull faces, and I would bristle and step forward, ready to say something. But she'd always stop me.
For World Down Syndrome Day 2026, CoorDown's 'Just Evolve' campaign asks us all to leave harmful language behind.
For me, it's deeply personal – and long overdue.
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