![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/madison\/files\/2018\/02\/Grace.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhenever 9-year old Grace Ryan attends a social function, people point to her, wave and enthusiastically say, \u201cThat\u2019s Grace!\u201d<\/p>\n
She wants to give everyone a hug when she leaves school. When she was recently sick for a week, her entire fourth-grade class sent her get well cards.<\/p>\n
Grace, who has Down syndrome, also can swim for hours, loves cheerleading, takes gymnastics classes and participates in the Special Olympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer skills are social,\u201d said Patrick Ryan, her father. \u201cWe can\u2019t focus on what they can\u2019t do but what they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan is one of the 88,000 who have signed an online petition protesting Netflix comedian Tom Segura\u2019s standup show \u201cDisgraceful,\u201d in which he uses the word \u201cretard\u201d and targets those with Down syndrome.<\/p>\n
They want the show removed from Netflix.<\/p>\n
Representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District met Jan. 31 at GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, a Down syndrome Achievement Center, on Monona Drive. They emphasized that using the word \u201cretard\u201d is not acceptable, and talked about community involvement and awareness in protesting Segura\u2019s show.<\/p>\n
\u201cComedian Tom Segura has sparked outrage this week for his blatant, continual use of the R-word in his recent Netflix special,\u201d Nancy Gianni, CEO and founder of GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, said in a released statement. \u201cAs a result, intense and hate-filled online bullying from his followers is now being directed at parents and anyone who dare speak out and advocate for their children and loved ones living with Down syndrome. This sparked an outcry for Netflix to cancel the special that they host on their platform.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his show, Segura said, \u201cYou can\u2019t say retarded anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
He talks about how retarded is more generalized and is used when an idea or situation is dumb.<\/p>\n
He then said, \u201cNow you can\u2019t say that. You gotta be like, \u2018That\u2019s not smart. Your idea has an extra 21st chromosome, if you ask me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Segura responded to criticism of his show by writing on Instagram, \u201cHey @netflix please don\u2019t take my special down. That\u2019d be so retarded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat just took it to another level. He really made it personal,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cIt is obvious he is not willing to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said comments like Segura\u2019s undermine the abilities of those with Down syndrome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are more alike everyone else than not,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cThere are tools, support and guidance that allow them to help reach their fullest potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
People with Down syndrome can do a lot, Ryan said. He emphasized that people with Down syndrome can hold down a job, live on their own and get married.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a time that we are redefining what people with Down syndrome can do,\u201d said Ryan, who is also board president of the local GiGi\u2019s Playhouse.<\/p>\n
According to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the life expectancy for a person with Down Syndrome in 1983 was 25; today, it is 60. Ryan believes this is because of the research, treatment and the support give to them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n