Families of people with DS ‘flock’ to Palin rallies
October 14th, 2008
On NBC Nightly News, a video report on the many people with Down syndrome who are turning out for Sarah Palin’s campaign events. It has “become a phenomenon,” the correspondent says. Many individual photos of people with Down syndrome are featured. An excerpt:
Sarah Palin has another constituency, as a special needs parent attracting other special needs parents to her events.
… Families of children with Down syndrome are flocking to Palin rallies. They come to shake a hand, grab a hug or snap a picture, drawn there because her story is theirs, too. … Her 6-month-old baby Trig has become a fixture on the trail, and something of a celebrity in his own right.
Interview with reporter:
Sarah Palin: We have an automatic bond there, where we can just look at each other in the eyes and say I know and you know, we’re all in this together.
Reporter: Do you feel a heightened sense of responsibility, now that you’re in this position?
SP: I sure do. I won’t let these people down. Part of the reason why I’m doing this is for my own child who has special needs.
R: Is it emotional for you to see these faces?
A: Very emotional, very emotional, yeah.
Reporter: And there in that moment is something these families say they see — something that goes beyond politics to the personal.
See earlier posts here.
UPDATE: Here’s a slightly different version of the story that aired on the Today show.
(Photo from NBC video)
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October 17th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Patricia,
I just found your blog after watching a linked NBC video of Sarah Pallin on the stump and taking time for kids with Downs Syndrome. When Sarah made her acceptance speach at the GOP convention I was thrilled with her mention of her goal to be an advocate for children with disabilities when she gets to Washington. The Pallin family is beginning a long journey that they can be proud of with their son Trig.
We have friends with a Downs Syndrome daughter that just celebrated her 21st birthday and they’ve had many joys in those years. Our next door neighbor is a single father whose daughter with Downs Syndrome lives with him and he has many joys too. Our son who was a “failure to thrive” baby as an infant and was later diagnosed with learning disabilities and ADD has been a joy. His difficulties during his 16 years, are not as serious as our friends with Downs Syndrome but enough that simple things often are a struggle.
My heart practically exploded when I heard Sarah say she would be an advocate for children with special needs. Our children are truly wonderful and need the benefit of our love, support and advocacy and to have a special friend in Washington will be wonderful.