ABILITY Magazine asked Andrea Friedman, actress with Down syndrome, about the R word. (Read interview)
Cooper: The other thing that’s happening right now is the controversy over what they call the R word. What is your–
Andrea: Oh, yes. I know.
Cooper: What is your thought about that?
Andrea: About “retarded,” the R word? I don’t really like it at all. It really affected me in many ways, because I’ve been teased a lot. I’ve been teased with that from elementary school, high school, and I didn’t like it. I was going to stand up for myself, but I didn’t have the courage.
And I said something like, “Leave me alone or my sister will come after you.” (laughs)
Cooper: [laughs]
