She says it all without even saying a word.
Summer Brack, a ninth-grade student at Garibaldi High School in Maple Ridge, is hoping to raise awareness through social media of the use of the “R-word.”
“It’s a word that people use instead of stupid” said Brack. “So it really sucks to hear it all the time.”
Brack explained that her older brother, Colton, has down syndromeand when she hears people use that word, she feels offended and wants to say something, but often doesn’t.
“Words hurt and you don’t know what you are saying. You may say something and it may never hurt you, but you don’t know who it’s affecting around you and it may be someone you least expect,” said Brack.
Now, she is making her voice heard without actually saying a single word. On Nov. 10,Brack posted a video on YouTube to promote the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign.
Throughout the video, Brack can be seen holding up signs saying how much she loves her brother and how much it hurts when she hears people use the “R-word.”The video ends with a card that simply reads, “Thank You.”
As of Thursday, the video has been viewed almost 3,500 times.
“Definitely proud of her,” said Brack’s older sister, Tori. “I know how hard it is to stand up for all of us and the fact that she did it on her own was really great.”
This is not the first time they have turned to YouTube to get their message out. Last year, the three siblings made a similar video and posted it online.
Basically, the girls just want their brother to be accepted.
“All we can ever ask for is that Colton is accepted for who he is,” said Tori.“That’s why it is tough because we don’t want Colton to be seen as his disability, we just want him to be seen as Colton. The “R-word” is a constant reminder that he isn’t seen for who he is.”
For more information on the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, visit their website.
