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by Rob Johnson
CHICAGO (CBS) ― What's in a word?

When a word is used carelessly, it can be hurtful, even if it's not meant to be.

CBS 2's Rob Johnson has the story of a suburban high school student whose mission is to stop people from using the slur "retard," or what others might call the "R" word.

Soeren Palumbo of Palatine may look like any other Fremd High School student.

But he's not. Two months ago, at the school's writer's week event, this 18-year-old senior gave the speech of a lifetime.

"In an era of political correctness, why is it that retard is still ok?" he said. "Why do we allow it? Why don't we stop using the word."

Palumbo eloquently argued against the use of the words "retard and retarded" that is used disrespectfully by students and adults everywhere, but highly offensive to those with loved ones with disabilities like Palumbo.

"These people need to hear it, no one else is going to tell them," said senior Palumbo.

One of Palumbo's three sisters, 12-year-old Olivia, has a disability that is hard, even for her parents to define.

"She's never fit into any specific category or she doesn't have a specific syndrome," said Soeren's father Drew Palumbo.

The source is an abnormal spot on Olivia's brain. But as far as the family is concerned, she is one of them.

"I love her more than words can describe," said Palumbo about his sister.

So after hearing the words retard and retarded over and over, Soeren decided his speech would be his Fremd swan song, citing such things as "your mockery of them, it's nothing but another form of hate."

"It was such a rush. I was crying at the end of it. But to look out and see everyone stand up and the other people wiping their eyes… to see all the warm acceptance that came with it, it was just out of this world," said Palumbo.

Two months later, the speech is still having an impact.

Fremd principal Dr. Marina Scott said the speech was important so that people can relate to what people who aren't like them feel like.

There's no question Palumbo's powerful speech resonated with the adults at the school, but it did the same for his classmates.

"Everyone is talking about it," said Alec Rizzo, a Fremd senior. "I think it will be talked about forever in this school."

"We say it so unconsciously and it's about time we started thinking about what we say," said Fremd student Meleny Vargas.

The truth of the matter is many people with disabilities like Olivia, don't always have the ability to defend themselves. But 21-year-old Bridget Brown does. She is a tireless advocate for herself and people like her.

"It hurts people with special needs," said Bridget Brown, a disability advocate. "They have feelings too. You should love and respect them as yourself."

At the Palumbo house, there is pride and determination to keep that message of acceptance alive.

"He's sensitive," said Kristen Palumbo. "He loves his sister, he's protective of her. It's been a good thing. She is a gift."

For Soeren Palumbo, the most memorable part is the end of the speech, where he says, "I hope someday someone loves you as much as Olivia loves me." "At that part of the speech, it was hard not to get choked up," he said.

Mental retardation is a clinical term, although it's not widely used anymore. Advocates say it's best to use the term "developmental disability."But it's never appropriate to use the words retard or retarded in a careless or insulting way.

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