By Rosemarie Dowell
DownTown Editor
Kudos to Alaska Governor
Sarah Palin, Alaska's first term Republican governor delivered a baby with Down syndrome April 18 and three days later brought him to work. Little Trig was shown to the press and thus, the world.
Thank goodness times have changed. It really wasn't that long ago when parents were pressured into placing their child with DS in an institution or to hide them from public view.
Now we have a high profile politician (and by all accounts so far a good one) proclaiming her fifth child is, "perfect," and that she never considered terminating her pregnancy.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," said Palin of she and husband Todd. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
That's welcome news since nearly 90% of women today terminate their pregnancy once they learn they're carrying a child with DS.
"I'm looking at him right now and I see perfection," said Palin. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, who is perfect or even normal?"
Palin told the press she plans to continue working as both an outspoken governor and Trig's steadfast advocate. She'll have plenty of help since Trig has four older siblings, numerous aunts and uncles and grandparents.
Still, let's hope the governor utilizes her government connections and political sway to include advocating for all children and adults with special needs. We can never have enough advocates for our children can we?
Since Palin is known as a spitfire maverick who's not afraid to ask tough questions and demand solutions and answers, I'm betting she will.
DownTown Editor
Kudos to Alaska Governor
Sarah Palin, Alaska's first term Republican governor delivered a baby with Down syndrome April 18 and three days later brought him to work. Little Trig was shown to the press and thus, the world.
Thank goodness times have changed. It really wasn't that long ago when parents were pressured into placing their child with DS in an institution or to hide them from public view.
Now we have a high profile politician (and by all accounts so far a good one) proclaiming her fifth child is, "perfect," and that she never considered terminating her pregnancy.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," said Palin of she and husband Todd. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
That's welcome news since nearly 90% of women today terminate their pregnancy once they learn they're carrying a child with DS.
"I'm looking at him right now and I see perfection," said Palin. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, who is perfect or even normal?"
Palin told the press she plans to continue working as both an outspoken governor and Trig's steadfast advocate. She'll have plenty of help since Trig has four older siblings, numerous aunts and uncles and grandparents.
Still, let's hope the governor utilizes her government connections and political sway to include advocating for all children and adults with special needs. We can never have enough advocates for our children can we?
Since Palin is known as a spitfire maverick who's not afraid to ask tough questions and demand solutions and answers, I'm betting she will.