From the Anchorage Daily News, Palins’ child diagnosed with Down Syndrome
She and her husband, Todd, showed their new baby, Trig Paxson Van Palin, to a few reporters and photographers and answered questions about his condition and the sooner-than-expected delivery.
Trig has Down syndrome, a genetic abnormality that affects a child’s intellectual and physical development, the governor confirmed.
“When we first heard, it was kind of confusing,” Palin, 44, said. She called the revelation “very, very challenging” and said she initially felt sad.
But the family has worked through that. Palin said she and Todd feel blessed and chosen by God. With a big family including four older kids, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Palin said, they will have lots of support for what’s ahead. In their eyes, she said, “he’s absolutely perfect.”
This is a very well-written article about Palin’s baby and children with Down Syndrome in general. Instead of focusing exclusively on the challenges that come with DS, the author also emphasizes the blessings that can come from having such a special child.
It’s odd, I haven’t seen this mentioned on any of the news or blogs I follow on my reader, but rather I received it via email from Dave Andrusko, editor of the National Right to Life News, who puts out NRLC’s “Today’s News & Views” daily on their website and on an email list. I would highly recommend subscribing to N&V. Dave’s topics range from human interest stories to political happenings to pop culture - all relating to the pro-life movement.
What I found most interesting about this story was this:
Because of prenatal testing, most families now know beforehand, said Judy Waldron, president of the Alaska chapter of the National Down Syndrome Congress, a support and education group that delivered a parent packet to the Palins in the hospital.
“They anticipate it and they kind of relish the challenge of having a child with special needs,” said Waldron, an Anchorage teacher whose 19-year-old daughter, Lyn, has Down syndrome.
While it’s “no walk in the park,” the joys are great, she said. “Just the fact that they require such great effort to complete some simple tasks and that’s real rewarding.”
Todd Palin said the family has gotten a flood of supportive e-mail from families around the country with special-needs children. He said he’s playing it by ear as far as his North Slope job.
Some people call them “angel children,” straight from God, Waldron said. They are usually sweet-natured but can be ornery, like anyone.
Left unsaid is that because of ignorance and sometimes blatantly false or biased medical information, some 80% of families choose to abort their Down Syndrome baby because they don’t think they are up for the challenge of one of these “angel children”. Let this serve as a reminder of the importance of S. 1810, the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act.
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Imagine this going unreported, what a shock. Thanks for posting this and God bless the Palins and all other parents that embrace their little gifts regardless of the challenges.
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..The Washington Post: Promoting Illegal Immigration Daily and Twice On Sunday
It’s over 80%, I think, and it’s often because the doctor tells the mother to schedule an abortion. So much for “a woman’s choice about what to do with her own body.” Snark aside, it is the most horrific act of eugenics to kill those who are the most vulnerable among us.
On a side note, this is a good time to link to David Horowitz’s eulogy for his daughter, Sarah, who had Turner’s Syndrome. (here.)
I’m a mother of a little girl with Downs Syndrome. I just want to say that she has taught me to open my heart and love with a depth I never thought possible. True it is not easy! But oh so worth it.
God Bless all care takers and parents of children with special needs.
Must have meant loads to her since she returned to work three days after he was born. Pro life but I don’t think I can stomach any “family values” comments that I am sure will follow in the upcoming election process.
Nickie,
You have no idea what the conditions of the Governor returning to work three days after giving birth were. I’m certain the child suffered no neglect as many women are able to have their children with them at work or even get work done from home. Not to mention, it’s not as though she’s a single parent, give her husband some credit, they have other children and know how to take care of an infant.
Would you prefer family values that would have had this precious child murdered?
Sunflower Desert’s last blog post..Cheater Cheater
I can understand cherishing and taking care of one’s child if he is born with Down’s Syndrome.
But are you actually advocating that if someone knows within the first trimester that their child has Down’s Syndrome they should not abort?
Yes it is a choice, and there can be rewards, but more rewards that a normal child? Enough rewards to justify a life of bondage to a child who can never be self-sufficient and independent?
AC’s last blog post..Just For Fun: I’m Setting the Record Straight
You know, AC, maybe you’re right. I’m confused, though, why you would not abort after the first trimester? Or just let the parasitic child die after birth? Bondage is bondage, after all.
In fact, I’m intrigued as to why you think children who are born without disabilities are any more sufficient or less time consuming than a Down’s baby. Babies born with special needs must be taken care of in different ways, perhaps more care in some situations, but I bet the parents won’t be overwhelmed with the commute between soccer practice and violin lessons. In other words, my guess is it won’t make much of a difference in the long run if we’re speaking in terms of “bondage”.
When it all comes down, I think we should just kill everybody. After all, we’re always getting in somebody’s way, wasting somebody’s time, born with disabilities or not. God forbid anyone seem inconvenienced.
I bet the Alaska governor’s office is a lot like an industrial setting in which one could not have a baby present. Great point about Todd Palin and the older kids, Tammi.
AC, I think you are on to something. Any kid that becomes an inconvenience or might become an inconvenience should be considered expendable. Did you donate to Andrea Yates’ defense fund?
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..“Thought Criminals” Punished in Denver
Dearest Sunflower Desert,
First of all, although I didn’t mention anything about aborting…(which I believe is a personal choice) I appreciate you shoving your pro-life attitude down my throat. Secondly, perhaps you should read your comment out loud about how Palin could have A. Brought her child to work. Or B. Worked from home. You do realize what she does for a living right? Yea ok, that doesn’t even deserve a comment. Third point….Did you hear how large the medical record of Freak Show McCain is? I would guess his odds of keeling over mid-term are quite high. I personally don’t think her being Gov. for 1, I repeat 1 year and 9 months gives her the experience to be V.P. Let alone President. Oh yea, and running a town of not even 6 thousand people. Yes, yes most qualified…you do sense the sarcasm right? Oh and one more thing..I think McCain’s pity party is getting a little old on the whole Vietnam thing and low and behold here comes the savior Palin who gave birth to a child with Down’s syndrome. Sorry to inform you, just giving birth to a child with a disability does not qualify you to have good family values or to be V.P. for that matter. Any further questions?
Sunflower Desert,
Just one more thing, I thought you might like to read this and get some “education” as you blog puts it…http://www.alternet.org/rights/28838/?page=2
Couldn’t have put it better myself:-) Oh, and if you like I can explain the big words for you.
typo…that was your blog not you blog
Nickie,
You are right on target here! The only reasonably experienced candidate for president and vice president would have spent time with ACORN, meeting the right people in The Chicago Machine (like terrorist Bill Ayers), spent 20 years in the racist church that he needed to get street cred, block a “born alive protection act” in a state senate, then spend a couple of years as a U.S. Senator in name only (actually doing little more than campaigning.)
Only “The One” meets your strict criteria! When you vote for Barack “Born Alive, Let Them Die” Obama, will you quote Rev. Wright and shout, “Naw, Naw, Naw, Not God bless America, God damn America! That’s in The Bible!”???
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..“Thought Criminals” Punished in Denver
meant to say president or vice president
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..“Thought Criminals” Punished in Denver
Only “The One” meets your strict criteria! When you vote for Barack “Born Alive, Let Them Die” Obama, will you quote Rev. Wright and shout, “Naw, Naw, Naw, Not God bless America, God damn America! That’s in The Bible!”???
What is “the one”? And what exactly is my criteria? I don’t recall discussing anything other than Palin’s lack of experience, her family values or whatever you want to call them…(Her daughter is pregnant?) I am just saying perhaps she should consider staying at home and putting some real effort into raising her family. Who is going to raise the grandchild? Sounds like some stunning parenting going on. I don’t think it would be sending a really strong message to the youth of America when there is a teen pregnancy in the White House. Yea, I know the arguement was that the dad was at home, clearly that worked out well.
And no, for the record…I doubt I will be quoting any reverend at all while I am voting…I will leave that to the right wing nut jobs!
Nickie,
Thank you for demonstrating that we need look no further than the Left for sexist, discriminatory commentary.
Are you saying that working mothers are incapable of both working and mothering? That fathers are not capable of imparting values into their children? That if Sarah Palin - or any parent - had only done her job correctly, that her children would never ever have premarital sex, would get straight As, would go to Harvard, or would do or not do whatever the American public decides is just, moral, proper, and enlightened?
We are all individuals with free will. Our children will always find ways to thwart us, and, often, our deepest values, despite our best efforts to the contrary.
I imagine that Bristol, her soon-to-be-husband, and the extended Palin family will all help to raise the newest addition to the large, loving, and devoted Palin family. Would we all have families who would publicly stand by us in our darkest moments and declare their pride in us.
Sick, sick, sick that you could see anything but good in the Palin family.
I think you all are missing Nickie’s point. Women can and should be equals in the working world. The problem is when you have a family in crisis you need to take care of family first, job second. You cannot give 100% to two full time jobs, and yes folks parenting is a full time job, that is why you must hire someone to care for your children in your absence. To me the vice presidents position is a very serious position and right now I don’t think a new mother with a pregnant teen is the one for a job that is so consuming. Yes, call me sexist but she needs to help her daughter first before running a country. And by the way I do have a child with an LD problem, and trust me when I say, it takes much more time to help him get thru school than my B average child.
Hmmmmm…great they are a loving and devoted family.
And GD you can see the good in them or anyone if you try hard enough, well for example say uh..Hitler, I mean he was a hard worker and all. My big point here folks is that she is not the person for the V.P. position. None of these “wonderful” things you are all bragging about give her the needed qualifications to run a country if the President dies. Like I said before, take a look at the size of McCain’s medical record. Do you really think the odds are high that he will make it full term? Ms. Palin can’t even run her family or her state. There are investigations going on about the 1/2 assed job she is she is doing in Alaska! Have you read the news at all? Or just the fact that… Yeaaaa, they don’t believe in abortion! Woo hoo! They are going to marry off their daughter at 17/18 just so she can have a piece of paper saying she is married and having sex as opposed to getting her groove on with out being married. Oh yea, she is already doing that! The piece of paper is not going to make a difference to that child if they only reason they are getting married is because she got knocked up. Duh! Plus, if her parents are doing such a superb job perhaps they could raise the child and then they could also continue being parents to her to and send her to college for Christ’s sake! Haaa this is just way to much amunition. Oh dear God, they are such great parents…bravo bravo, now really be parents, and mommy ditch this whole wacky V.P. idea and pay attention to what is going on at home. Oh yea and it the words of someone else that cracked up thousands of people, go make me some damn moose stew! ROTFLMAO! ( By the way I am a working mom, not running for V.P.) Even though I am quite certain my left toe has more foreign policy experience than Sarah-I’ve got a good bible name-Palin.
Nickie and Gina,
You are apparently furious and out of your minds with anger because Sarah Palin kicks ass all day long. There are exactly two women in the history of this country who have given birth while governing a state: Jane Swift (R-MA) and Sarah Palin (R-AK).
Our women kick ass, have strong families, and break the glass ceiling; yours take Womyn’s Studies courses and then whine about the evil patriarchy.
Now, if you want to bring up the “heartbeat away from the Presidency” thing, I presume that you’ll apply it to Democrats, too, and realise that Obama is supremely unqualified to not only be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, but to be President. Harvard Law Review is not the free world. Palin governed the state with the largest land mass, that borders Canada and Russia, and had a slew of corrupt politicians… and she’s only our Vice President!
She had a baby while in office, has a family who supports her (her part-Eskimo union-member husband took time off to help the family, so she could work - how cool and feminist is that?), loves her, and makes decisions as a family about their mom’s political career. Did you miss that part? I guess you didn’t hear that Sarah Barracuda didn’t run for the Senate in 2004 because she gave her children veto power, and they didn’t want it. In all likelihood, her acceptance of the VP nomination, and of revealing Bristol’s pregnancy, were also family decisions.
Y’all hate her because your women aren’t worthy of the name. Keep hating… all we need to do to win in November is read your crap out loud. The entire country will stand up and fight for this supremely awesome family, headed by one tough, qualified, feisty woman.
When I think of qualities I want in my VP, one of the first ones that springs to mind is…feisty…
Roseanne,
The point here is not whether the Palin family is “good”. What we are talking about is the qualififcations of this woman for the highest office in the country. If republicans want to use the inexperience card with reference to Obama, how can they possibly justify Palin for VP, and the very distinct possibility that she could become the President?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d0lM4-vb38
Dear Nickie,
Mush!
Kellie,
One, my name is Roxeanne, not Roseanne. I’m not a fat Democrat, thanks.
There are two issues: experience and character. You cannot get your panties in a twist because we discuss character when character is questioned. Clear?
Experience: first of all, experience is not limited to years in office. Much as a person can go through four years of college without having learned a thing (save how to do keg stands), one can spend time in, say, the Senate, without having done anything noteworthy that aids in experience. Sarah Palin, unlike Barack Obama and Joe Biden, has accomplished a tremendous amount in her few years in politics:
Sarah Palin chaired the ethics committee of the Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation.
She then went on to become the governor of the largest land-mass state in America, which borders two other countries. (Governors of such states, or states like Florida, tend to deal with international issues by virtue of their geography.)
She is commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard. Read all about her CIC duties, security clearances, and how the Alaskan National Guard is our first line of defence in the missile interceptor system.
She killed the “Bridge to Nowhere,” line-item-vetoed hundreds of earmarks, and blew the whistle on corruption in her own party.
Governor -> President is a promotion. Senate -> President is a career change; Senators lack any executive experience. That’s why governors, CEOs, and the like are routinely tapped to be Presidential candidates.
The best part: she’s our Vice President. Y’all want someone with less experience than her, whose sole claim to fame is writing an autobiography and stroking his own ego, as your President. What does it say about y’all that our VP’s resume beats your President’s?
Dear Roxy,
Please accept my humble apology on the name spelling. What’s with the “fat democrat”? I did not use either of those words. I doubt there is anyone reading these posts that could possibly have jumped to a conclusion that you were democrat. As to fat??? Far be it from me to “feed” you insecurities.
The whistle is probably not the only thing she has blown, and my panties are not in a twist, as Land Sakes Alive, I forgot all about them this morning.
The rest of your drivel deserves no reply. But have a real smiley day.
By “deserves no reply,” you mean, “Roxy’s right and if you even tried to respond, you would make yourself look like a fool,” correct?
Please lets don’t lower the Barr. She has her own issues, as we all do. You may want to look up the word experience, as your application with regard to her ability is a bit off. Ability and experience are two very different things. She could very well be able, and I hope she is all factors considered, however, One year and nine months does not constitute experience in anyones book, as it relates to the VP/Presidency.
tut tut
I am crushed
[Comment deleted. This is our blog, not yours. As you are a guest here, please be respectful and courteous. You are more than welcome to re-post the substance of your comment, without the snark.]
Roxy, Roxy, Roxy,
What are some of the international issues she has dealt with? Immigrants/wetbacks swimming the Bering Sea to gain illegal entry?
Help me out here, I want to find something to give this decision some credence.
Kellie,
I presume, then, that you are not voting for Barack Obama, either, as he lacks the experience necessary to be President.
May I remind you that the Vice President has exactly two constitutional duties? The first is to act as the leader of the Senate and break any ties in voting. The second is to take over the Presidency if the President cannot complete his term.
In all likelihood, John McCain will serve out his term. If you find actuarial tables, you’ll see that he has about a 90% chance of living until Inauguration Day in 2013.
Even if he were to drop dead halfway through the term, Palin would have spent two years in the White House, doing nothing but learning about the job.
Compare Barack Obama: the only scenario has him leading this country in January, with barely a Senate term under his belt, no signature legislation to his name, and no executive experience. He will not have the luxury of learning at the feet of an experienced politician; he would be thrown into the water, sink or swim, in January. He has to go from a job that entails nothing more than voting “yes” or “no” to leading the free world.
You all seem very quick to ignore the total lack of experience of your choice for President, ignoring the fact that he must be prepared to lead our country in January, all the while lamenting the fact that our VP pick is a governor of a state, commander in chief of her state’s national guard, AND will have four years to learn.
For shame Nickie, might I suggest “How to Win Friends and Influence People” Snark Snark
Kellie,
What international issues has Barack Obama dealt with, save for attending a rock concert in Berlin?
I mean, it’s not like he’s in charge of the missile interceptor defence system… our gal does that!
Roxy,
I certainly did not say I was voting for Obama. What I asked was for the International experience she has gotten by virtue of land masses close to Alaska. I am only asking for something substantive here. Let’s try to stay on task.
Roxy,
Once again, let me point out that I did not say I was voting for Obama. I am asking for specifics on the any international experience.
I do not feel I need to defend Obama in order to get that information. You are the one telling me she has it. Give me a lifeline.
Please excuse my typo. specifics on her international experience.
In a two-party race, though, any critiques of her lack of international expertise must be analysed not only in the light of what is possible from a VP pick, but in terms of what the other side has to offer.
Not my fault you want to live in a vacuum. If you don’t like Sarah Barracuda’s international expertise (which she will surely learn while second-in-command), then you have but one other option: Barack Obama.
In a two-party race, she doesn’t need to be perfect or good, just better than the competition.
In other words any ole beauty queen would of worked. Are you insane? What if he McCain keels over his first day in office?
So I guess that means I will have to quote Roxy then, is that ok? “Nickie’s” “right and if you even tried to respond, you would make yourself look like a fool,” correct?”
Guess I will have to keep my plan to vote for Obama unless as Kellie put it….someone will give me a lifeline here.
signed—Nickie
It is ok to quote someone else who has not been kicked off the site right?
“In a two-party race, she doesn’t need to be perfect or good, just better than the competition” - Roxie
Thinks to self, Hmmmm I wonder how she will do in debates with Biden. This could work out really well for Obama. No Snark, nope
Roxy,
With you building the case for Palin… Obama/Biden? An absolute shoo in. Perhaps you’d best do her a favor and stop defending her.
Governor Palin, lets think about the job title, shall we?
Now, the others have executive experience… where?
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..“Thought Criminals” Punished in Denver
Sam,
Just wanted to let you know I will respond soon, I am busy now. Unlike Sarah Palin I don’t put outside activities on hold to take care of my family.
Typo, that is I do put outside activities on hold to take care of my family:-)
Oh my, I know I was insulted somewhere higher up in this thread … but I’m at work (is it still allowed for a female to work?) and will have to respond later.
Roxeanne, I am extremely impressed with your ability to keep liberal trolls in check. They apparently are not aware that you and Tieki Rae will be running this country one day?
I may need help with big words, but at least I’m smart enough to stay on the good side of you girls. 
Sunflower Desert’s last blog post..Manning Brothers
Nickie
Sep 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
[Comment deleted. This is our blog, not yours. As you are a guest here, please be respectful and courteous. You are more than welcome to re-post the substance of your comment, without the snark.]
Too bad you lovely ladies didn’t get to present your argument. But then again, that must be why my completely reasonable question got deleted. And I would love to answer the questions asked about Obama, however…I think it is only fair my question gets answered first…oh yea what was it again? Appears the moderators deleted it. Fair…hmmmmm I guess not the Republicans.
Do any of you think it seems weird that Sarah Palin had her 4 month old baby at the RNC where it was so extremely loud?
No, Elizabeth, I don’t think it’s weird. Especially since Trig seemed to sleep through most of it.
What is weird, however, is you posting this on a 4 month old post.
Sarah Palin’s speech:
Are you white?
Do you hate abortion?
Are you like me?
Do you love guns?
Hi Robert,
You do realize that Sarah’s husband is Native, don’t you? That kind of shoots your little racist comment right in the arse. But there’s nothing wrong with hating abortion and loving guns. In fact, I find those traits quite admirable.
Sunflower Desert’s last blog post..Quote of the Night
Nickie,
Don’t like it? Start your own blog. Run your own blog, your way. I will make one suggestion, however: don’t tolerate rude commenters.
It is the lack of civility, not the substance, of your comment, that is problematic.
Robert,
I guess you missed the part about spearheading the larger private sector energy infrastructure project… in the country.
I guess you missed the part about cutting the state budget… by putting up the plane that was supposedly for her comfort up on eBay.
I guess you missed the part about a half-billion dollars in line-item vetoes.
I guess you missed the part about a comprehensive plan for oil and natural - from the gal from the North Slope of Alaska.
I guess you really missed the repeated disses on Barack Obama. The guy has no substance. “There are some who use change to promote their careers; and there are some, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”
Or, better yet: “My fellow citizens, the American Presidency is not supposed to be a journey of self-discovery.”
I was just curious if anyone is ever going to answer my question about how the proximity of Alaska to Russia has any bearing on Sarah Palin’s foreign policy experience. Anyone, Anyone? Or maybe she has some other foreign policy experience I am not aware of. I didn’t notice that she addressed that issue at all this evening. In case “y’all” haven’t noticed I am trying to stick to one question at a time so that it is nice and simple, yet no answers seem to be appearing.
Just for the record, as long as the site is open to the public, I will continue to blog as often as I like. If you don’t like it, shut it down.
Roxeanne, You said “I guess you missed the part about cutting the state budget… by putting up the plane that was supposedly for her comfort up on eBay”
Maybe the airplane and the chef aren’t still around but neither is a big chunk of the taxpayers money. I am pretty sure that is where the money is coming from to pay the attorney she hired in the abuse of power scandal.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/palins-record-of-commandi_n_123743.html
Dear Nickie… I am not sure if you are talking about this site being open to the public or not. If you are, fyi, what you are doing is not blogging, it’s commenting.
I blog. Roxeanne blogs. This is our blog. Understand?
Because I feel that the comments on this thread are no longer productive (haven’t been for a while) and there are more current posts about Sarah Palin, I am closing comments on this thread.