I was reading Amanda Ngudle's reunion story early this week. It was very enjoyable until she said that maybe someone would fix her up with a rich retard.

I was reading Amanda Ngudle's reunion story early this week. It was very enjoyable until she said that maybe someone would fix her up with a rich retard.

When she used the word retard she made a hateful and demeaning statement against all people with special needs. People who didn't ask to be born "retards", who are vulnerable and ask for nothing but respect.

It's not okay to take away someone's dignity with a casual remark. Maybe it didn't dawn on her how much the word stings, but you don't need to have a kid or cousin with special needs to understand how slurs hurt.

H Jacobs, New York City