Out-of-date labels

Dear Editor:

I saw the letter on November 10, 2012, on People First Language. We all remember as children singing "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". Really?

For instance, the mentally challenged are called retarded or slow. A deaf mute is called deaf and dumb, which is highly insulting!

The physically challenged are called crippled or handicapped. The latter sounds like a term for horse racing or a golfing ability.

Unfortunately, society labels a person by appearances, abilities, and social status. Our words can affect whether a person succeeds or fails in life.

Let's file all out-of-date labels in the trash can, where they belong!!

Jill Mulhearn

Freeland