Palin Excites Parents of Disabled Kids

Palin's Son Trig Born With Down Syndrome, Parents Hope Palin Offers More Than Words

(AP)  Polishing off his strawberry-banana yogurt, Jacob Moore races to his keyboard with a whoop, picks his way through "Pop Goes the Weasel" and gives his mom a high five. This is the average stuff of childhood, and it has not come easily to the 8-year-old with Down syndrome.

For his mother, Heidi Moore, achieving average "is like climbing Mount Everest." The family has been clambering up with the help of therapists, 15 surgeries, prayer and a tight-knit community of parents whose children live with the disorder.

That network is abuzz with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's arrival on the national scene as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate. A little more than four months ago, Palin, 44, gave birth to a son, Trig, with the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome.

Palin hoisted the sleepy-looking infant into her arms after delivering the biggest speech of her career before cheering delegates at the Republican convention and a television audience of 40 million.

In her address, she had a special message for families with special-needs children: "I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

It was an electrifying moment for those parents and their advocates.

Parents of children with Down syndrome say they often feel misunderstood by those who question their decision to have a child with a disability. They said many people fail to realize that medical, educational and legislative advances have dramatically improved life for those born with Down syndrome.

And they hope Palin's example will convince more parents that they, too, can handle the challenge of a Down syndrome child. Up to 90 percent of women who learn their fetus has Down syndrome terminate their pregnancy, studies suggest.

"For the first time, we have a mom in a position like that who's been through the emotions we've been through," said Michelle McCarthy of Ainsworth, Iowa. One of her 8-year-old twins has Down syndrome.

Palin did not say what her White House advocacy would mean.

During her few years as governor, she vetoed $275,000 for Alaska's Special Olympics - half the amount being sought. Money for a program that helps rural school districts provide special education has remained flat. But she supported another legislative proposal to boost spending for students with special needs by some 175 percent in 2011.

Disability advocates said she hasn't been a strong voice for their cause at least not yet.

"It hasn't been on her radar screen," David Fleurant, executive director of the Disability Law Center of Alaska.

Still, many say her value if elected vice president could be less about laws or dollars and more about raising awareness - simply by raising her son in the public eye.

David Tolleson, executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, said it was invaluable for people to see the Palins at the convention as "a happy, normal family passing the baby around."

Tolleson said that might resonate with parents who agonize over what to do when they receive a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis. Advocates worry even more pregnancies might be aborted because of the rise of prenatal testing.

Testing for Down syndrome once was offered routinely only to women age 35 and older. But since 2007, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that a choice of tests be offered to all pregnant women regardless of age. Choices range from a blood test-plus-ultrasound option that signals who's at high risk to the definitive diagnosis of amniocentesis.

Women who might not have learned until they gave birth that their child had Down syndrome now can find out in time to choose an abortion early in the pregnancy.

Some 5,500 infants are born with Down syndrome every year, the government says, and an estimated 350,000 Americans live with it. Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic birth defects, affecting roughly one in 800 births. Its severity varies.

Advocates say doctors often don't provide good information to scared, pregnant women who receive a prenatal diagnosis and are too quick to recommend abortion. Congress has come up with money to improve the quality of information for health professionals.

Down syndrome is characterized by mental retardation of varying degrees, and distinct physical features. Babies tend to be limp and quiet. They can have a multitude of other problems: Nearly half will have a heart defect, some serious enough to require surgery soon after birth. About one in 10 are born with intestinal abnormalities that can require surgery.

They also are at increased risk of thyroid problems, hearing loss, vision problems and leukemia. Many develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms starting in their 30s. However, better treatments for some of these conditions have increased the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome to about 55.

Once institutionalized at birth, children with the condition now have access to an array of home therapies, and public schools are legally bound to accommodate them.

Gail Williamson, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, said she remembers stares and whispers when her son Blair, now 29, was a child.

She credits the late 1980s television show "Life Goes On," which featured a character with Down syndrome, with helping to change attitudes. She said Palin's visibility could have a similar effect with a new generation.

Moore agrees.

A former oil industry executive who now works as an advocate on disability issues from her suburban Atlanta home, Moore acknowledges Jacob's surgeries and therapies have drained their bank account, even with help from Medicaid.

But she'd never make another choice.

"Look at my son," she said. "He's reading at an age-appropriate grade level. He's writing his name. He's playing piano," Moore said. "Will he be an astronaut? No. But maybe he'll be a teacher's assistant ... or a musician."

"My hope for him is to be a healthy, happy, productive, taxpaying member of society."

[dbor77]

Don''t they know that she cut funding for disabled kids when she was governor of Alaska? Just because Palin "says" these parents of disabled kids will have a friend in the white house doesn''t mean a thing. She hasn''t gone into specifics. Actions speak louder then words. If she already has shown she''ll cut funding for disabled children then what can you tell me or show me to prove she won''t do it again?

[clorge]

Choice - it is all about a very personal choice. You make a certain decision based on all of the available information and another person makes a difference decision based on the same information. Palin is not about choice.

[susanhelit]

Her history shows what she will do for disabled children - less than nothing. McCain''s record is possibly even worse.

[susanhelit]

What worries me is her handling of disabled kids before they are born. According to her own words, she knew her son had DS, and in spite of this, when she goes into labor, instead of heading to a good hospital that can take care of any medical problems he is likely to have as a DS newborn, she ignores it, spends 8 hours in a plane where no medical care could help him, drives past several good hospitals, to go to a small one that would not have been a good choice for anyone delivering a Downs syndrome child.

What was that anyway? An attempt to have a "good" abortion where she can claim it was just "God''s choice"? No responsible mother would do that, risk thier child''s life that way.

[hawksprings]

SusanHelit
How do you know all this? Did you get this info about Palin from the Obama campaign?
Don''t you think it''s possible that she knew the baby was healthy from the previous checkups?
Do you think it''s possible that after having 4 children she knew what to expect as far as labor, how long it would be, etc?
Calm down and save your judgemental spirit for someone else.

[dburfears]

Really? She cut by 62% the funding in Alaska for disabled children. Are Americans really so stupid as to fall for her lies?

She''s got enough money to help her own child. So SHE REALLY BELIEVES the rest of us can crawl away and die.

[jolsonbear]

I only support abortion in cases where live birth of a new republican are at risk.

[stevekelson-2009]

VOTE for what people have done in the past and
what they have done for others. Did Alaska moms with disabled kids, have a friend in PALIN?

It''s another one of the what, 500 lies we have had from GOP''ers in the last 8 years.
She''s a Pathetic liar; she''s proven that in the last week.

[kevsan1]

More like it is the Washington elite''s view. East coasters and those who move east are too often all about money. But I do believe Palin means what she says. Democrats would more likely push for abortion with special needs cases. They are all about pouplation control and such.

[kansas1946]

Why would she excite parents of disabled kids, or any kids for that matter. The Republican party has consistantly voted down any programs that benefit children, disabled or otherwise. Talk to any program administrator in any town that receives federal help to their programs for disabled children and see what they think about Republicans.

[kansas1946]

VOTE for what people have done in the past and
what they have done for others. Did Alaska moms with disabled kids, have a friend in PALIN?

It''''s another one of the what, 500 lies we have had from GOP''''ers in the last 8 years.
She''''s a Pathetic liar; she''''s proven that in the last week.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SteveKelson at 07:36 PM : Sep 08, 2008
+ report abuse

Exactly.
She cut by 62% the funding in Alaska for disabled children. Are Americans really so stupid as to fall for her lies?
************************************************

Typical of Republicans. Scream about abortion and the children, but cut every program that benefits them. They make me sick.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[prouddowndad]

AS the father of a fantastic 14 year old son with Downs, I am fired up about watching Trig Palin these next 12 years in the White House. You Dems are right on when you say we should watch what her record is............she had her baby and loves him. That is more important then any gov''t. program. And that is the main difference why she will be elected. She loves that little bundle of perfection and your party would rather he had been aborted. Your party has attacked our kids for years and used them to fund yet another failed program after failed program. At the end of the day loving parents are what matters. Trig Palin, just like my own son, will have a positive effect on everyone around him and I dare say, Trig will enrich this country as well.

[chuegevera]

That is exactly what the GOP wanted and that underline their hhypocrite behavior. By choosing Palin McCain wanted to focus the mind of the voters on her kids and her family and away from the real issues and plan to alleviate the suffering of the parents in general and the ones with disabled kids: education, health care.

[x-republican]

Palin is just too terrifying for words. I thought Huckabee would be a frightening rightwing nutjob of a choice, but imagine Huckabee without a brain, and there you have Sarah Palin. Think I''ll head to Canada.

[mjtmatthews]

Sarah Palin is a neophyte in the area of disability advocacy. The centers for independent living which have grown throughout the country were founded right here in Northern California. Democrats have been advocates for the disabled even during times of economic difficulty. You can really count on Barack Obama and the Democrats to continue to provide leadership here. I wouldn''t count on the Republicans whatsoever. They are not to be trusted. They campaign well and govern very poorly (reference President Bush).

[prouddowndad]

It''d hard to advocate for our kids and advocate to abort them was well. Don''t tell me the Republicans don''t care, They aren''t the party that wants to abort Downs babies.

[downtowner97]

I know a woman who takes care of her brother with Down Syndrome. She is 70, he is 75. He has spent his whole life sitting in a diaper staring at the wall licking the backs of his hands. One could argue that God loves him, but he knows nothing of God. The growing theocracy in this country makes no sense to me.

[elizabethbj]

She cut 62 % of the funding for special needs kids in Alaska''s budget. She is a lier again..

[tinameier]

she is just the wrong person for this job.she should spend more time with family and stop this joke.she is making america to a bigger joke land as it already is.Go Obama

[ziaiolanda]

Thank-you for the information concerning Gov. Palin''s past veto in the area of Special Education. The issue of the Republican''s goes deeper by promoting "Vouchers" for parents. There are very few, if any, private schools who will or can service these children. Public schools are mandated by law to provide services. I work with Special Need children and am appalled that she would have the history of not caring for families in Alaska, when they needed it.

[ziaiolanda]

Thank-you for the information concerning Gov. Palin''s past veto in the area of Special Education. The issue of the Republican''s goes deeper by promoting "Vouchers" for parents. There are very few, if any, private schools who will or can service these children. Public schools are mandated by law to provide services. I work with Special Need children and am appalled that she would have the history of not caring for families in Alaska, when they needed it.

[abbe91]

Posted by prouddowndad at 08:36 PM : Sep 08, 2008

Posting it once would have been enough. You are not the only parent of a kid with disabilities, believe me. But Palin''s claim she will do something for you is hot air.
Check the GOP record on healthcare and you will see who''s talking and who''s acting. Same for womens'' rights. Palin won''t make me forget how McCain didn''t vote for the HR 2831 (fair pay act).

[ramos937]

Palin needs to stay at home and take care of her kids. One is an unwed mother and another has Downs which takes a tremendous amount of time and patience and love. No way she can be VP and do both. Just the daughter being left without a mother proved that.

On special education, she did cancel funds for this important program. Nothing is said if they were every restored.

Are any of these kids among those 4.4 million that John McCain denied SCHIPS? Twice! To protect tobacco companies profits! Typical "compassionate conservative" BS.

[keystonebull]

Thank-you for the information concerning Gov. Palin''''s past veto in the area of Special Education. The issue of the Republican''''s goes deeper by promoting "Vouchers" for parents. There are very few, if any, private schools who will or can service these children. Public schools are mandated by law to provide services. I work with Special Need children and am appalled that she would have the history of not caring for families in Alaska, when they needed it.
Posted by ziaiolanda
********************************
Why don''t yoiu run for president. Probably wouldn''t ever get your family to vote for you./

Posted by elizabethbj at 12:09 AM She cut 62 % of the funding for special needs kids in Alaska''''s budget. She is a lier again..

Before calling someone a liar, please check out your facts to prevent people from calling you a liar. This was taken from FactCheck.org: Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn%u2019t cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years.

Follow the link and check for yourself

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

[keystonebull]

All your libs are crying today. You realize the McCain and Palin have turned this election around and the most of the American people had rather have them than Hussain and his muslim religion. Go to your hole and cry it over babe.

[keystonebull]

Posted by elizabethbj at 12:09 AM She cut 62 % of the funding for special needs kids in Alaska''''''''s budget. She is a lier again..

Before calling someone a liar, please check out your facts to prevent people from calling you a liar. This was taken from FactCheck.org: Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn%u2019t cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years.

Follow the link and check for yourself

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2
008/sliming_palin.html

Posted by Lola939
*****************************
Good girl Lola, I was pretty sure when I read her post she was lying, but had to read it myself to be sure. Those people are lying big time trying to hurt Palin. They know that something new is on board that they didn''t expect and has turned everything around. Last night on ABC they said that the women were really coming over to the McCain side and said that 52% view Palin favorable, but the surprise was that 65% of men view her favorable. Also said that a poll of expected voter McCain would win. Let them lie about that beautiful woman, it just helps her.

[docpeter-2009]

From the above article, "In her address, she had a special message for families with special-needs children: "I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."
_____________________

FACTS for special needs kids in Alaska under Pulin:

Fiscal year 2007 (per Pulin) budget:
FY 2005 6945.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 7949.30
FY 2007 Governors 8265.30

Fiscal Year 2008 Pulin budget:
FY 2006 7949.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 3173.70
FY 2008 Governor 3156.00

Under Governor Palin, funds decreased from a planned budget of 8265.30 to 3156.0. That''s a 62% decrease. Actual consumed amount went from 7949.3 to 3156.00, where it lingers to this day. That''s a 60% decrease.

Guess that horse can''t drink water unless it is your horse.

[abbe91]

"Follow the link and check for yourself
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2
008/sliming_palin.html
Posted by Lola939 at 07:36 AM : Sep 09, 2008"

Before Palin:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/07_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

Under Palin:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

[abbe91]

"Follow the link and check for yourself
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2
008/sliming_palin.html
Posted by Lola939 at 07:36 AM : Sep 09, 2008"

Before Palin:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/07_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

Under Palin:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

[docpeter-2009]

While I applaude Palin for her comments on speaial needs kids and adults, her words don''t match her actions. She didn''t care about special needs kids UNTIL she had a the need.

While I agree withher that these kids and adults need help her past actions don''t support her words. I consider this typical actions from many who won''t help until the shoe is on the other foot.

[docpeter-2009]

From factcheck.org:

"According to an April 2008 article in Education Week, Palin signed legislation in March 2008 that would increase public school funding considerably, including special needs funding. It would increase spending on what Alaska calls "intensive needs" students (students with high-cost special requirements) from $26,900 per student in 2008 to $73,840 per student in 2011. That almost triples the per-student spending in three fiscal years. Palin''s original proposal, according to the Anchorage Daily News, would have increased funds slightly more, giving intensive needs students a $77,740 allotment by 2011."
_________________
Let me count backwards here for a minute. Palin''s baby trig is 5 months old. March to August is 5 months. Hmmmm. Coincidence that she approved increased funding just in time to help herself?

[abbe91]

"Guess that horse can''''t drink water unless it is your horse.

Posted by docpeter at 08:09 AM : Sep 09, 2008"

Exactly. I posted the links to the *official* documents in a previous post. Thanks for the math ...

[ofbyfor2]

Calm down and save your judgemental spirit for someone else.

Posted by HawkSprings at 06:37 PM : Sep 08, 2008

Oh please, Hawksprings--if a Democrat had done the same thing, you''d be having fits!

[ofbyfor2]

Don''''''''t they know that she cut funding for disabled kids when she was governor of Alaska? Posted by dbor77 at 06:00 PM

Instead of your babbling, I want LINKS. I want the links to the bill AND the facts surrounding this story. I think you are all full of it.

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 07:01 PM : Sep 08, 2008

Here''s a very good starting point for you, but you can do your own research after that.

http://www.examiner.com/x-796-Mental-Health-Examiner~y2008m9d8-Palins-Budget-Cut-for-Severely-Disabled-Children-in-Alaska

[idnnsg]

Palin is so effing ignorant that she believes the FOUNDING FATHERS put the words "One Nation Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance!

Palin is so effing stu.pid that she wants Alaska to secede from the USA, not realizing that the Russians would just take back Alaska if they did that! She thinks "being close to Russia" qualifies her in foreign policy.

Palin is so in.sane that she believes all the "end-time" lunacy and, if elected, she would work as hard as she can to DESTROY THE WORLD, to "bring back jesus"!

If YOU want to see everyone in the world suffer and die in the next few years, the vote for McCain/Palin.

[sanfelz]

The message Palin should be spreading is that women and men over 40 are much more likely to have children with birth defects. A 17-year old girl and father are biologically hard-wired to have children, and more likely to have successful pregnancies and healthy children. Society has deemed unwed preganant teenage pregancies as undesirable. The Palins supported that view until it was politically inconvenient.The Rove campaign strategists cannot allow the myth of Palin as an ideal vp subverted by her traditional Republican and evangelical failings as a parent.

[jbright9]

I work and have worked for years with disabled children and their families. I am continually impressed with the love and devotion these families possess. It requires great sacrifice both of time and money to meet their needs. That being said I am not sure why they think Palin would be a help to them. It would appear to me that she is still in deep denial about her son''s disability. She certainly appears to be putting her own ambitions above his well being. All children need devoted parents but disabled children need almost super human devotion. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I don''t think an infant, any infant, needs a mother who is traveling the country and campaigning for one of the most difficult jobs in the world.

[jbright9]

I work and have worked for years with disabled children and their families. I am continually impressed with the love and devotion these families possess. It requires great sacrifice both of time and money to meet their needs. That being said I am not sure why they think Palin would be a help to them. It would appear to me that she is still in deep denial about her son''s disability. She certainly appears to be putting her own ambitions above his well being. All children need devoted parents but disabled children need almost super human devotion. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I don''t think an infant, any infant, needs a mother who is traveling the country and campaigning for one of the most difficult jobs in the world.

[sjw1253]

I do not believe that Palin will be a very good advocate to these parents. She will not be an active participant in raising her "son" Trig even if she does not win the race.

She is way too busy with her career and is out of touch with the "real" world and "real" people...

What do you think her feelings are toward "SINGLE" working moms? Single for whatever reason - she expects all moms to be married as it is the "right thing to do"... No matter the circumstances.

I also do not believe that baby is hers. She came out way too fast and way too easy about her daughter being pregnant. My mom was raised by her grandparents and they did their best to cover up the fact that they were not her parents (back in 1931)...

My thoughts from the photos of Bristol is that she is actually post partum and not pregnant. Yes... time will tell if they don''t have some other scheme to cover up this potential HUGE LIE from McCain/Palin...

[questionnews]

so now that word of Palin having s e x with her husbands friend and business partner are out in the open where are all of the republicans who were shouting for bill Clinton''''s head? If it was wrong for him to do it it is equally wrong for her to do so.
Also it is looking like her youngest child might not be her child but her daughters. This family is looking pretty bad about now.

Posted by getoffmine at 10:09 AM : Sep 09, 2008

Can you provide a link to legit news site to back up this?

[upto007]

They the only ones who know what is good for them. I hope she wins. Down with Obama, Osama