just my opinion -- end the word

But I never called anyone that! I would never say that about someone with a disability. I called myself retarded. I said my car was retarded. I said it about someone we all know is super smart. It was a joke. It was from a movie. I didn't mean it like that.

You did.

If you have to explain yourself that much, then you need to find a new word. Maybe try using the one you meant in the first place -- stupid, broken, defective, slow, weird. My son is none of those things, and he doesn't appreciate his medical diagnosis being lumped in with your insults.