Tuesday, 30 June 2009
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Sarah Palin - Your Son Deserves Better
by Mama Pig 
Now Sarah; just a few months ago I was singing your praises after you admitted something pretty difficult at a conference. You spoke honestly about your feelings when first hearing of your son's diagnosis of Down syndrome. Having a child with the same genetic issues, I was pleased to see you once again raising awareness for Down syndrome. I did mention in my blog that I hoped you wouldn't do anything stupid to make me regret my praise.
Well, you somewhat behaved yourself until recently. Today I ran across this. I was prepared to be outraged. I was outraged, but I was outraged at you. Why in the world would you make this issue about Trig? Was the picture done in good taste? Absolutely not. Was it done; as you inferred; as a slap to children with disabilities? Absolutely not. They photoshopped a picture of Trig and put another person's face on it. Apparently someone that you are warring with up in Alaska. I don't follow Alaska politics, so this was all new to me.
When you decided to make this an issue about special needs children; you just set us back years. This is a political attack; one done in a not nice manner, but one that has absolutely nothing to do with Trig. This just smacks of your "outrage" over that Special Olympics joke the President made a few months back. I mean come on; you can't use Trig or Down syndrome each and every time something doesn't go your way.
I have spent the last two years learning all that I could about Down syndrome and how best to help my daughter function in this world that might perceive her as a bit different than most. What I refuse to do is expect anyone to treat her any differently simply because of an extra chromosome. I expect Emily to face challenges; I expect Emily to falter at times; essentially; I expect Emily to be just like my other children. Be outraged that they used Trig's photo in a political matter. Be outraged because it is your son, NOT because he is special needs.
I will NEVER use Emily's Down syndrome as an excuse for anything. She is as capable as anyone else to accomplish whatever she desires. Had they used her photo in such an unflattering manner; yes, I would be upset. Not because she has Down syndrome (what in the world that has to do with the picture, I will never know), but because they used her image to propel their agenda.
Honestly, I expected some alteration of Trig's actual face. Perhaps they had emphasized the traditional features of a child with Down syndrome in such a manner that was beyond belief. IT WASN'T EVEN HIS FACE. They placed some man's face over his body. Seriously Sarah; stop using this for your political gain. Your son deserves better.
(Stepping off soapbox now)
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About the Author
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- From: mamapig
- Name: mamapig
- About Me: Hello everyone. I am Mama Pig. I am a very busy mom of eight children. Five by birth and three my marriage. While it is a busy life, it is one I wouldn't change for the world. Our oldest is 18 and will be graduating in May. We are even in the boys/girls department with four each. Two just turned 14, two just turned 12, one will be 10 this year, and the babies are 4 and 2. There are no twins in the mix, just step siblings that happen to be close in age. You will read alot about Down syndrome when you read my blog. Our youngest daughter was born with Down syndrome as well as a congenital heart defect. These are two issues I am extremely passionate about. I just resumed classes at the local community college. My goal is to someday reach law school with the hopes of focusing on family law.
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Comments (19)
Why would this surprise anyone? This woman has done nothing but use her own family for political gain, but she is politically tone deaf and ends up looking like a bigger fool. Sarah Palin is in the wrong business.
Nice work! :)
I tutored a Down's Syndrome child for parts of three years...I totally agree with you; parents, family, friends, etc are doing themselves AND the special needs child no favors by viewing the whole world with suspicion and hostility regarding the special needs child. It seems so many of those near and dear to D.S. children think everyone needs to give their child extra special treatment, and as soon as a normal child is hesitant or wary of the D.S. child, the normal child's parents are viewed as horrible and insensitive for not teaching them to give a D.S. child special treatment. The truth of the matter is, some kids have never been around a D.S. child, and are not sure how to respond to them. The best way to help is to explain that we're 'all kids', and that my or your D.S. child enjoys many of the same things that any other kids do. Usually the parents are still glaring at each other long after the children have become comfortable with each other and are best buds. Yes, bullying and mocking happens, but it happens to ANY kid, not just D.S. children. Sensitivity is needed, to be sure, but let's not use our special needs child to become a victim- we're just teaching the child to become a victim as well. As a teacher to one of those kids, I have found that they are extremely perceptive, and they are fully capable of picking up on a parent's attitude toward other kids as readily as they can feel attitudes directed toward them.
Down's Syndrome children are people; let's give them what they deserve and treat them as people.
PS. I would enjoy discussing more aspects of Down's Syndrome with you...I love those kids! :) They have such lovable hearts that the rest of us would do well to emulate.
@mikenpeg@xanga - You said it beautifully. My daughter is a typical two year old in my eyes and I expect no one to ever give her special favors simply due to an extra chromosone. I was afraid of my own children's reactions when we learned of her issue, but was thrilled to see each of them embrace her for the wonderful person that she is. Too often it is the parent making the issue and not the children.
Do I expect that there will come a time that someone shys away from her? Absolutely. Will it break my heart? No doubt. It would break my heart if it was any of my children for the sole reason I don't want them hurt. What I will not do is get angry at the child or the parent. I view each of these times as an opportunity to learn and hopefully grant someone a new look at a child with Down syndrome.
I would love to discuss this further with you. I will send you a message under my other name so that we can talk more.
She was angry because, at first glance, it seems the picture is implying the stupidity of the man through the virtue of the child's Down Syndrome. While Palin was wrong in assuming the insult had to do with her child's Down Syndrome, it's not unacceptable to be angry if that was the case. Saying that such a "joke" is in bad taste would be an understatement of the highest regards.
@mikenpeg@xanga - Love this. So true.
@thirst2@xanga - Interesting take. One I will admit I did not get upon first glance. You are absolutely correct in stating if that were the case that her outrage was justified. I personally didn't see it that way, but appreciate you giving me another persons take on the picture.
Wow, I would be totally outraged. Children should be left out of political attacks. If anyone photoshopped my child's face I would get quite defensive whether they had a special needs or not.
It doesn't matter what their intention was, it was done in poor taste.
Blah, I can't believe I just stuck up for Sarah Palin.
More making fun of Palin's 1 yr old <= (These people R sick!) http://snipr.com/l6ctg How do you feel about these pictures...whether they are using attacks on her DS son for be targetting her children. If you click the link and click to the additional referenced pictures you will see distorted images that are cruel and unusual attack pictures on Trigs health condition as well.
I commend Palin for standing up for her family and self, she can defend her son for the attacks against special needs, helping to spotlight the prejudice or lack of tolerance for special needs children...I don't believe she is speaking against these attacks for political gain, but because she loves her family, and would do anything to stand up for them and speak against any attacks, wouldn't you?
@thirst2@xanga - I agree. I can't stand Sarah Palin, but in this case I sincerely don't believe she was trying to do twist something. When I saw it, I also thought they were making fun of special needs children...
Special needs or not as a mother I would be pissed. You can not like a person politically and make all the ads you want about what they have done politically but for pete's sake leave their kids out of it. I don't know if this person was making fun of her child having down's or not but out of all of her children that she has public pictures with I find it interesting that they picked this one to photo shop and make their ad. If I were her I probably would think the same thing.
@littlebytes - @BananasGorilla@xanga - I guess I come from a different place. I did not go to see the other pictures simply because I don't know the source. I live each and every day with Down syndrome so I don't view it in the manner that those that do not, might.
Yes, it was in very poor taste to use her childs picture in a political fight. I stated that in my blog. My issue is that Down syndrome was brought into the fight. As a mother of a child with Down syndrome; I fight very hard for this world to view her as they would any other child. Having someone with that much public access use her childs disability to complain about his treatment, bothers me. They were wrong to use the picture, NOT because he happens to have Down syndrome, but because no child should be brought into a political fight.
Had she spoken out and said simply, "my child is off limits and I am upset that you used this photo for a political war", I would have had no complaints. Her stating that he was somehow more off limits due to his special needs disturbed me.
I spend my life showing the world how Emily is just another two year old. What I don't need is somone going behind me pointing out just how different a child with Down syndrome is from "normal" children. Again, maybe I am just coming from a different place. I can accept that.
@happygirl7798@xanga - I agree totally. As a mother I would be outraged. I just wouldn't be outraged for the same reasons that she stated. You raise an interesting point about why that picture. In all honesty; I didn't view this as a Down syndrome issue and I would think I would be the first one to do so. Again, I am starting to realize that living the life that I do makes me view the world a bit differently. I guess the most surpising thing for me is that I don't find things as offensive as some people whom have a child without a disability. The President's poor choice of a joke really didn't get me upset. Did I think it was a stupid thing to say? Yes. Was I offended? Not a bit. Two years ago; I might have felt differently.
In my opinion she should be pissed because someone altered the image. Not because someone altered the image of a "special needs child". I'm not very upset about her doing that, but I think it's just... ehhhh.
@mamapig - I would like to assume that they didn't mean this as a dig at someone with Down Syndrome. Although it seems that politics just gets nastier and nastier or maybe it has always been that way and we are just flooded with more of it. I agree with you I don't think that the president was trying to be offensive but had a case of foot in mouth and I'm sure that he regrets it.
hmmm.... I don't know. Maybe you can relate to Sarah in regards to having a Down's Syndrome child but you definitely can't relate to her political status. I'm sure being involved in politics to the degree she is makes you even more defensive of your family! Apparently she did feel that this pic was about her son's D.S. and in that case I feel she responded appropriately. I admit, its easy to judge people, but I try to be hesitant in doing so, you are never in the same exact situation as they are!
I love Sarah Palin and I think it's time people shut up about her. You are right about your feelings towards down syndrome but I'm so sick of hearing people bash her.
yes, she should have just ignored it and not given them the publicity! Now, as the article points out, EVERYONE is seeing the photo, instead of just a handful of people in Alaska!
I think this is way off the mark. It is not about Down Syndrome. It is just another mean spirited attack on Sarah Palin and her family. This altered photo was done only out of pure meanness and going after yet another child - special needs or not - is completely uncalled for. Once again, challenging political figures on their policies and world views is totally fair game. Attacking their children is OFF LIMITS and the liberal media and every other mean spirited and evil person out there who has no morals or ethics need to figure it out. Everytime this happens, it will continue to fuel the fire of fair, decent Americans who understand this is outrageous and take this passion to the voting booth.