Pill and knife can take my life, but words will never hurt me

"People with intellectual disabilities" is the current, upgraded, government approved term for "retarded," a simple word now out of favor everyone understood and which wasn't a pejorative in the 1950s and 1960s. It evolved to mentally handicapped and developmentally disabled, but many thought "disabled" offensive and "handicapped" implied charity (cap in hand to receive alms).  The definition has expanded a bit. "An individual is considered to have an intellectual disability when: (1) the person's intellectual functioning level (IQ) is below 70-75; (2) the person has significant limitations in adaptive skill areas as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills; and (3) the disability originated before the age of 18.  "Adaptive skill areas" refers to basic skills needed for everyday life. They include communication, self-care, home living, social skills, leisure, health and safety, self-direction, functional academics (reading, writing, basic math), and work."

It's ironic that we're so careful about words implying a low IQ when society approves of the abortion of over 90% of Down Syndrome babies, like Trig Palin, who do meet the new higher, loftier, politically correct terms. Remember the old comeback for bullying? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.     "Pill and knife can take my life, but words will ever hurt me."