Historic attitudes toward mentally retarded individuals have generally been very negative. Mentally retarded individuals have been referred to as animals, as vegetables, as menaces, and as objects of pity. Today, we have come to understand that individuals with mental retardation are not subhuman at all, but rather, very human. They are not disposable beings and they are not burdens to society. Mentally retarded individuals have the capacity to live productive, meaningful lives and the ability to affect positively many other people as they meet the challenges inherent in living life.