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Teen's Effort to Eliminate the "R" Word

Updated: Wednesday, February 27 2013, 12:45 PM EST
LANCASTER -- Mikaela Brady's dining room looks more like a mini-manufacturing plant than place you'd set your plate. The sound of tin hits the table every twenty seconds.

"I don't know if I'm getting the circle right but I'm trying my best," says the Fisher Catholic High School junior.

Brady is working on buttons for Developmental Disabilities Awareness month which kicks off March first. The buttons will be handed to her classmates on the pledge they'll eliminate the "R" word from everyday speech.

"I don't want them to say the word 'retard.'"

She says cringes when she hears the word. It stings even more because she says her 21-year-old brother, Matthew has developmental disabilities.

"I feel it's important not only to raise awareness, but to educate people on the hurtful things they say and the harmful effects the 'r-word' has on people and their families."

In preparation for DD Awareness month Brady has already started campaigning in her school hallways. She's encouraging students to sign giant-sized posters pledging to think before they speak.

For more information Developmental Disabilities Awareness month visit:

http://www.odmrdd.state.oh.us

Stay with ABC6/FOX28 on-air and online for more information.

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Reporter: Dave DetlingTeen's Effort to Eliminate the "R" Word