I found the Oct. 26 column "Use of 'R-word' displays ignorance" to be personally touching. As someone with a sister who has cerebral palsy and remains in a wheelchair unable to speak, I felt a personal connection with her moving story of her relationship with her brother.

I, too, can recall going to the Special Olympics to support my sister or helping my mother decorate my sister's wheelchair for Halloween. Memories like these remind me that you can still develop deep relationships without lengthy conversations.

I often hear many students using phrases such as "that's retarded" or even "that's so gay" without realizing the implications of such expressions.

I have always been close with my family and hearing these words are heart-breaking. People fail to understand that these words are degrading and insulting to many people.

I applaud Julie Wolf for bringing this issue to the attention of the Penn State community, and I hope more students realize how harmful these phrases can be.

Karima Oglesby

sophomore-political science