In an effort to increase awareness about the dehumanizing effects of the "R-word," people around the world have joined the Spread the Word to End the Word movement. Special Olympics Minnesota athlete and Global Messenger Danielle Liebl is one of them. Liebl has made it her personal mission to ban the word in schools, communities and official documentation. She, along with a student committee, hosted six Spread the Word presentations in central Minnesota schools last month.

Spread the Word to End the Word got its start during the Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games. It was created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities and is supported by Special Olympics and Best Buddies International.

March 3, 2010 was the second annual Spread the Word to End the Word day, and people were asked to make a pledge not to use the "R-word." More than 100,000 people showed their support online at www.r-word.org! The day was also devoted to showing the positive impact people with intellectual disabilities have in our communities.

Actor John C. McGinley, known for his role as Dr. Cox on ABC's show Scrubs, agrees with Liebl and recently said, "Most people don’t think of this word as the language of hate, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends."

Liebl, while a huge advocate of the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, also stays busy with her athletic and leadership pursuits. Liebl has competed in Special Olympics Minnesota golf and swimming for eight years, is a student representative on ROCORI High School's Board of Directors and is also executive treasurer for the Student Senate.

Liebl said of her Special Olympics experience, "Special Olympics gave me confidence to speak on behalf of myself and others," and she believes Special Olympics programs "give people with disabilities the amazing experiences they deserve."

It’s never too late to Spread the Word to End the Word! Visit www.r-word.org today.