Op-ed: Palin offers ‘empty promises to desperate families’
September 23rd, 2008
From the [Portland] Oregonian:
Oregon legislator Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, says families of people with disabilities struggle every day to keep their heads above water and hold their families together. “They deserve more than Sarah Palin’s empty words, and should not be exploited as pawns in the presidential election,” she says. An excerpt:
Being the parent of a child with Down syndrome does not ensure that Palin will be an effective advocate for people with disabilities, any more than Dick Cheney being the parent of a lesbian daughter has made him an effective advocate for equality. In fact, a McCain/Palin administration will likely set back the cause of people with disabilities to achieve dignity, independence, health and full employment.
… To families of kids with special needs, I have a message: Please look carefully at what candidates up and down the ticket will actually do for your children. Demand more than words and promises. Ask for plans, and see if they match your vision for your child’s future.
Grelser is the mother of a teenager with developmental disabilities.
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on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 4:37 am and is filed under Campaign 2008, Down syndrome, NOT2BEMISSED, abuse, caregivers, commentary, employment/jobs, families, housing, independent living.
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November 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I hear what the Mom before me is saying, but I do have to say that parents with special needs children do need a public political figure to support them. In my mind, who better than a Mom with a child with Down Syndrome herself.
We have become a world of “Idealogues”, not necessarily doers. I happen to be a person who admires doers as do many people and parents out there.
There is No better example than people who walk the walk so to say as opposed to people who can talk the talk.
Vote me in for a Sarah Palin supporter and example.
I happen to believ that the best advocate for my child is myself and our wonderful family, not necessarily talking politicians.
Regina Sarno
Mother of a child named James who has the dual dx of down syndrome/autism.