‘Special’ should be saved

During the early years of her childhood, our daughter, Tracy, was diagnosed as “mentally retarded.” Over the course of time, Special Olympics and its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, led a successful campaign with other advocacy groups to “Get rid of the ‘R’ word.” As a result, fortunately, the terms “developmentally disabled,” “intellectually disabled” and “special needs” came into general use.

Today several groups in New Hampshire have initiated another campaign, called “Stop Special.” They want to end the use of the word “special” when talking about people with disabilities. (“Advocates push to end use of ‘special’ when talking about disability”; July 8) They claim the term is demeaning and suggests that people so labeled don’t belong in the same spaces as everyone else.

We emphatically disagree. We knew our special needs daughter was very special, but definitely not in a demeaning way. She was very active in Special Olympics and we got to know, interact with, and become friends with many individuals with special needs. One or both of us have served on the boards of Special Olympics New Hampshire and the Upper Valley organization Special Needs Support Center. Over 45 years we’ve never heard any special needs person nor their families complain about the use of the term “special.”

The word “special” is generally used in a positive sense and entirely different than the word “retarded.” A birthday is your “special day,” a wedding is a “special occasion,” people receive “special awards,” grocery stores have “weekly specials,” and Taylor Swift is a “special performer.” Most athletes in the Special Olympics program that we know are proud to say they’re a Special Olympics athlete.

In the article, a spokesperson for the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities states that we should use terms like “accessible” or “inclusive.” How does “Accessible Olympics” or “Inclusive Needs Support Center” sound? What are we going to call special education teachers?

Pete and Ruth Bleyler

West Lebanon

There’s a way
for Biden to depart

President Biden's tenure has been marked by remarkable success. We have a robust economy, have restored our stature on the world stage, and have returned to being a world leader on combating climate change. I have great admiration, respect, and affection for President Biden.

I believe that to his core President Biden understands the threat to our country posed by Donald Trump and desperately wants to protect us. After the June 27 debate, however, I am convinced that Biden must come to terms that his greatest contribution is now to support a transition and fight for a Democratic victory. By stepping aside, Biden would create a powerful and enduring framing for the elections. Democrats would be defined by a selfless leader willingly ceding power to enable a better future versus Republicans being led by a vindictive man fixated on past personal grievances.

A Biden transition would come with some drama, but it would be incredibly energizing to a dispirited Democratic base and an appealing option for independents, 79% of whom now think Biden is too old to serve. With Biden's leadership and given the stakes, Democrats would quickly coalesce. By enabling a change and by vigorously campaigning for the new nominee, Biden would be rightly celebrated for any victory. Biden rallies would be inspiring given his sacrifice for the greater good and an opportunity for all of us to directly show Joe our appreciation and affection.

Please Joe, give us an opportunity to honor you.

Joel Stettenheim

Norwich

One last problem
for Biden to solve

The Democratic Party has been in a stew ever since the debate, when two incoherent old men confused everybody who watched or listened to their exchanges. One couldn’t answer the questions and settled for a word salad of lies. The other, the president of the United States, had a world of facts but was sometimes unable to finish his sentences. The difference is President Biden has the power to wear his white hat and resolve the problem. In a noble and grand gesture, he can resign the last few months of his amazingly successful presidency in triumph and leave his brilliant and able vice president to run in his place.

It has happened before. Lyndon Johnson successfully put into law the ambitious programs that John Kennedy had made way for, and with the backing of Biden in his white hat and his supporters, Kamala Harris could save democracy in this country. She’s a winner!

Nancy Coffey Heffernan

Hanover