There has been an enormous outpouring of support and interest in Down syndrome related to Todd and Sarah Palin's son Trig Palin since Republican John McCain announced Sarah Palin would be his vice presidential running mate for the 2008 election. More attention may have been paid by families of children with developmental disabilities to Sarah Palin's youngest son than to her gender.

As much as the interest paid to the 2008 formation of the bipartisan Down Syndrome Legislative Caucus, families of children with Down syndrome first became interested in Sarah Palin as the Governor of Alaska a few months earlier when her youngest child was born with Down syndrome.

In the weeks following the announcement that she would be the Republican vice-presidential candidate, and so much exposure of a baby with Down syndrome, many families raising young children with special needs found her presence in the race exciting and inspiring. Some controversy, and stereotypes about individuals with Down syndrome and their families, also caused rifts among families and complaints about media coverage.

Many 'pro-choice' mothers raising children who were prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome have resented assumptions that only 'pro-life' proponents carry on with pregnancies after prenatal diagnosis. There have also been hurt feelings over suggestions that 'pro-life' mothers carry their babies with Down syndrome to term only to place them for adoption, and sensitivity about the 90% termination rate of prenatally diagnosed pregnancies meaning that this is a common choice among women who are otherwise considered 'pro-life.'

Families have enjoyed helping create greater awareness about the potential of their children with Down syndrome and the accomplishments and ordinary lives of adults with Down syndrome who have grown up included in their communities and schools. An important part of families are the siblings of children with special needs, and Trig Palin joins older sisters Bristol (1991), Willow (1995), and Piper (2001), and older brother Track ( 1989).

Some advocacy groups are sensitive that so much attention has been paid to prenatal diagnosis and babies with Down syndrome without addressing the support and accommodations that benefit teens and adults who may be struggling to enjoy a quality of life and richness of experience that was offered until their twenty first birthdays. Perspectives on teens, adult opportunities and concerns of aging parents, as well as individuals with Down syndrome who grew up with greater expectations, are often overlooked when addressing the concerns of parents of newly diagnosed babies.

Also complicating baby Trig Palin's rise to fame is the fact that election politics, especially in a time of economic crisis and war, can be quite divisive and emotional. Families who are appalled at the remarks made by Sarah Palin at political rallies resent being assumed supporters just because she has a baby with Down syndrome. There are many issues that families of children or adults with Down syndrome feel are too important to overlook.

Issues such as embryonic stem cell research divide parties as well as the electorate. For families of children with diabetes, loss or delays in research opportunities have been unbearable. They have hoped for several years that procedures can be developed similar to families who are tragically put in the position of offering their child's organs to reach out to families whose children's only hope is a transplant. They may feel frustrated that research into the use of adult stem cells was moving too slowly to make a difference during their own child's lifespan.

Please remember that both presidential candidates and their running mates are essentially Americans of good character and promise. Whoever is elected will face great challenges in the following four years and will need the support and encouragement of the American people.

It is important that we listen to the stories of all the candidates in the 2008 presidential election and make the best decision possible in November. While we must focus on the capabilities of John McCain and Barack Obama, either Sarah Palin or Joe Biden will be one heartbeat away from the presidency, and also will have great responsibilities in the position of Vice President during these troubled times. Please find out as much as possible elsewhere about what is important to know about each of them.

I am most interested that both vice-presidential candidates have such compelling life stories and values that build strong families.

Senator Joe Biden has long been known to be intensely family-oriented. He faced great adversity in his early life, being severely challenged by stuttering throughout his childhood and adolescence. Now known as an eloquent and articulate speaker he gives hope and inspiration to families of young children with communication difficulties today.

Senator Biden tragically lost his first wife, Neilia, and 18-month-old daughter, Amy, in automobile accident in 1972, shortly after being elected to the Senate. It was reported that his 4 year old son needed a full body cast and his 3 year old son suffered head injuries, and that he considered giving up his senate seat to 'be there' for his sons. His father reminded him,
"when you are knocked down, get up." Family and close friends persuaded him to carry on in public service, but his children and community have had the benefit of his presence at home because he chose not to move into Washington D.C.

In 1975 he met his wife of 31 years, Jill, a teacher. Senator Biden has commuted by train from Delaware throughout his Senate career, originally so that he could be there for sons Beau and Hunter, and later to offer a stable home life for them all with Jill, and their daughter, Ashley. Joe and Jill Biden also enjoy four granddaughters. Both Governor Palin and Senator Biden have sons recently deployed to Iraq.

Although more widely recognized as a politician with great experience in foreign policy matters, he is known in human services circles as being the driving force behind the 1994 Biden Crime Bill, that included the Violence Against Women Act. VAWA is credited with strengthening penalties against rapists and abusers, increasing enforcement of protection-from-abuse orders, funding women’s shelters and hotlines, and allowing abused women to sue their husbands in federal court.

Sarah Palin and her family have made a strong impression on Americans since she was nominated as John McCain's running mate. Her experience in Alaska and on the campaign trail will give us more to consider as time passes. I am grateful that her position as a candidate is helping to raise awareness about children with Down syndrome and their families. Joe Biden's experience in the Senate and the importance he has placed on being there for his family gives me great confidence that children with special needs and their families will find many friends in Washington D.C. if Barack Obama is elected.

Comparing voting records and sponsorship of disability related legislation, Senator Obama has proven he is a strong supporter of citizens with disabilities and their families, where Senator McCain has had a disappointing record on disability issues.

No matter who is elected, it is heartening to have interest shown by both parties on issues important to children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.

For information on Senator Obama and Senator McCain's voting record on disability issues, see
National Council on Independent Living - Voting Records
http://www.ncil.org/VOTE2008.html

Browse at your local bookstore, public library or online retailers for books about or written by the 2008 Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates:

2008 Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin
Note: The paragraph about Trig Palin is said to be on page 136, in [u]Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down[/u]

2008 Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden

2008 Presidential Candidate John McCain

2008 Presidential Candidate Barack Obama

Palin understands 'very special needs children' McCain says
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/15/palin-very-special-needs/

Down Syndrome Mamas for Obama
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DownSyndromeMamasforObama/

Read articles about Sarah Palin and her infant son, Trig:

Terri Mauro
http://specialchildren.about.com

What Do You Want Sarah Palin to Do For Your Family?

Sarah Palin in the News

Sarah Palin and the Responsibilities of Special-Needs Parenting

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PatriciaEBauer.com
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/

On Trig Palin - A special needs child enlarges the world
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/03/enlarges-the-world/

Parents adjust employment for children with disabilities

Gerson on Sarah Palin’s ‘bad example’

Portland Oregonian Op-ed
Palin offers 'empty promises to desperate families'

Balitmore Sun
'Friendship' from Palin is not enough

NDSC/DSOAC Information for Parents with a Prenatal Diagnosis
http://www.ndsccenter.org/resources/light.php
Light at the End of the Tunnel pdf
http://www.ndsccenter.org/resources/documents/Light-Tunnel-all-LR.pdf

Childhood Disability and Supporting Other Mothers
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59660.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

Disability Advocacy and Awareness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art35878.asp

Advocacy and Parent Support
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54202.asp

Why I put my Down's syndrome baby up for adoption... and the loving mother who took him in
http://www.dailymail.co.uk

From Crib to Kindergarten: The Essential Child Safety Guide