Maine Student’s Video About Brother With Special Needs [VIDEO]

A High School senior from Maine pays tribute to her younger brother in a sweet and powerful video called 'Spread the Word to End the Word.' Emma Hickey asked other students what they like about her autistic brother Jackson, who has Downs Syndrome.

I love the enthusiasm from these Gardiner Area High School students. And the joy and silliness in the clips where Jackson and his sister are hanging out. But what I love most about this video is the love Emma must have for him to have put it together.

'Spread the Word to End the Word' is a national campaign that works to stop the use of the word 'retarded' in relation to people with special needs. The tweets displayed on the organization's website will make you smile. There is great love displayed on that site and in Emma's video. Think before you use the r-word and realize that you're talking about a person with feelings who is facing more challenges everyday than you can even imagine.