Parents Stand Up For Their Son

Bruce (left) and Crista (right) play with son Kyron.

There are days that you wonder, "What in the world are people thinking?" When certain people are repeatedly asked not to use pejorative terms, but yet persist in repeating them, I really do wonder: Do they know how rude this is? Do they really want to be associated with such ugly thoughts and insults? Remember that what you say reflects more on your character than that of the person about whom you are saying it!

That was certainly the case for a young dad, Bruce Casper, of Pittsburgh, who worked at the Chili's in Pittsburgh Mills. His co-workers repeatedly referred to intellectually challenged individuals with the R-word. That was actually rather personal for Bruce, who has the cutest little son. At the age of 16 months, son Kyron has Down Syndrome.



So, Bruce went to upper management, where the response was to send him home (to chill out?). But when he returned the next day for his work shift, he found out that he no longer had a job. That's quite a blow for someone who is standing up for dignity and respect towards all, and opposing the use of a hate word. However, those who don't speak up and live their beliefs end up condoning hatred by their silence.

Crista Miller, Bruce's longtime girlfriend and mother of his children, was outraged at the response, so she posted what happened on facebook. She wrote, "Chili's in the Pittsburgh Mills thinks it's OK to use the word retarded and call people retards (management and employees) Bruce has brought this word up time and time again even requesting a meeting regarding it, NOTHING was done. Yesterday he was called a retard AGAIN in front of management and when he made it clear to everyone near that our son has Down Syndrome and he will not tolerate that word management said, 'you can leave then' so he did."

To be clear, Chili's did offer Mr. Casper a job at another of Chili's restaurants but without correcting any of those who used the pejorative terms nor did they apologize. Bruce, incidentally, turned down the offer due to the disrespectful and rude working climate. Corporate has responded by saying, "We don't condone the use of derogatory terms in our restaurants." Honestly, you can say anything, but proof of sentiment is in the actions. Chili's has not apologized for their employees' actions, provided no disciplinary actions to the employees who created this adverse working atmosphere, nor have they offered Mr. Casper his job back.

A reminder to think before you say something.

Although Bruce and Crista are not discussing the details in public, they are both using the events to advocate for their son and others who face intellectual challenges. And they are putting their words into action to provide support for Kyron, who has such a promising future with those very caring parents.

Bruce (left) and son Kyron.

Thanks to this article from Little Things: http://casper.littlethings.com/down-syndrome-chilis-dad-bruce-casper-son/?utm_source=TS&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=shocking; and this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/04/bruce-casper-chilis-r-word_n_7511884.html.

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