Palin understands ‘very special needs children,’ McCain says
October 15th, 2008
In their last debate before election day, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama were asked by moderator Bob Schieffer about the qualifications of their respective running mates.
McCain praised Sarah Palin as someone with strong expertise in helping “very special needs children,” and someone with more understanding of autism than “almost any American that I know.”
Obama countered that it will take increased funding — not an across-the-board spending freeze — to support programs and research for children with disabilities.
See also, from CNBC: Unanswered questions on special needs
Here’s the excerpt of the debate, as transcribed by CNN:
McCain on Palin: … She’ll be my partner. She understands reform. And, by the way, she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise, that we’ve got to find out what’s causing it, and we’ve got to reach out to these families, and help them, and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children.
She understands that better than almost any American that I know. I’m proud of her.
And she has ignited our party and people all over America that have never been involved in the political process. And I can’t tell how proud I am of her and her family.
Her husband’s a pretty tough guy, by the way, too.
Schieffer: Do you think she’s qualified to be president?
Obama: You know, I think it’s — that’s going to be up to the American people. I think that, obviously, she’s a capable politician who has, I think, excited the — a base in the Republican Party.
And I think it’s very commendable the work she’s done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that, John.
I do want to just point out that autism, for example, or other special needs will require some additional funding, if we’re going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talk about.
And if we have an across-the-board spending freeze, we’re not going to be able to do it. That’s an example of, I think, the kind of use of the scalpel that we want to make sure that we’re funding some of those programs.
(Photo from CNN)
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March 22nd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Adult with disabilities are left out and ignored in this country. Sarah Palin should have talked about adults with disabilities as well. She talked about children because she just had one of her own.
Sure, Sarah Palin is not going to help adults with disabilities. She rather ignored them.
Salem, New Hampshire
October 20th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Scott – the article I quoted in my previous response was:
McCain, Obama Discuss Abortion Rights During Third Presidential Debate
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/125793.php
and I think it explains in brief why Barack Obama’s comments that “no one is pro-abortion,” and that abortion is always a “tragic situation” show his sensitivity to pro-life women as well as pro-choice women who have made that tragic decision following a prenatal diagnosis.
It also touches on how we could be doing whatever possible to prevent a tragedy – <>
Obama seems to think that adequate prenatal care, health coverage, and other opportunities for children, mothers and families – like getting the middle class through the current economic mess – will give women better options than abortion. I was particularly moved by his suggestion that teenagers should be taught that sexuality is sacred. Reducing unintended pregnancies would logically eliminate women needing to make a choice one way or another.
But what our families need specifically is to provide women with the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome better information and adequate support raising our wonderful sons and daughters. I believe that prenatal diagnosis during intended pregnancies account for a large percentage of the 90% termination rate.
Moms I know who are available to counsel pregnant women with a prenatal diagnosis often speak to couples, and those who put themselves out there to counsel these couples are just as likely to hold a pro-choice as a pro-life position personally, and those positions make no difference in the effort and compassion the counseling moms express, or the sorrow they feel when the couple makes an adverse decision anyway.
The bipartisan prenatal diagnosis act has been passed and signed by the president, so women will now have a much better chance to learn realistic and accurate information about Down syndrome as well as the support and encouragement that is available in their own communities. Advocates have worked long and hard putting this piece of legislation together and I personally believe that it will make a significant difference in the abortion rate.
What is left for us now is to make our decisions on which candidate’s platform will have a significant positive effect on our families and our children as they grow up. Obama’s belief that it will take increased funding — not an across-the-board spending freeze — to support programs and research for children with disabilities is just one reason I support the Obama/Biden ticket.
No matter who is elected, we will be working together again after voting day to increase awareness and support for our sons and daughters growing up and living as adults with Down syndrome. Just like the women who counsel couples who have a prenatal diagnosis, we will put aside our differences then in the best interests of everyone in the community living with Down syndrome.
October 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Pamela,
If, according to Barack Obama, “no one is pro-abortion” and “abortion is always tragic,” what’s to debate?
Wouldn’t we all do whatever possible to prevent a tragedy?
I would think that if you have an abortion, that would qualify you as “pro-abortion.”
October 18th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Barack Obama said that “no one is pro-abortion,” and that abortion is always a “tragic situation” – that I take to mean includes abortion following a pre-natal diagnosis.
I believe that if he and Michelle Obama or one of their daughters was expecting a baby with Down syndrome, Senator Obama would respond with love, support, grace and compassion. He would be as exemplery a father to his son or daughter with Down syndrome as he is to his beautiful daughters, and I am sure he would also be an outstanding grandfather to a child with a disability.
Barack Obama complimented Sarah Palin on the work she has done on behalf of children with special needs (see article excerpt above). He also explained at the last debate that with respect to partial-birth abortion, he is completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortion, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there’s an exception for the mother’s health and life.
It’s important as we discuss issues that we feel so strongly about, we engage a bit of tenderness and consideration toward all the candidates as they share different perspectives and understanding of disability issues.
I know that both pro-life and pro-choice women who have had babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are especially emotional in their child’s first year, because holding your baby in your arms is in no way the same experience as considering a diagnosis.
I believe we all understand that piercing, fierce love and sensitivity we feel in those first twelve months — something that a mom in the New York Times article ‘With Palin, Special Needs Get Spotlight’ said explains it best even for those who believe they would have made a different choice –
…“I wouldn’t have had the courage to have a child with special needs if I knew,” Ms. Featherstone said. “But you’d be amazed with the courage you can pull out of a hat when you’re faced with someone with a name, instead of a classification — Catherine Emer Madden, versus ‘special needs child.’ It’s the most intense love.” …
I don’t believe that overturning Roe V Wade has much to do with disability advocacy. If no woman has the right to make the choice, accurate information about the prenatally diagnosed condition would not be required or helpful until the baby was born (excepting conditions that are treatable prenatally). At that point, all the emphasis would be on support and resources for the mother and child after the birth of the child. These are topics that Barack Obama already addresses.
As Senator Obama famously explained at the third presidential debate:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/125793.php
When this election is over, all of us who have strong feelings about the issues that separate us and our candidates will need to go forward to heal and restore our country. Individuals, families and other disability advocates will need to work harder than ever before because of the economic crisis, no matter who is elected.
Up to now, many of our most staunch advocates and friends in politics have been our champions without needing to have raised their own son or daughter with a disability. I know Barack Obama will continue to be an advocate for all our children and families.
John McCain himself has reassured his supporters that Barack Obama is a “decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States.” Senator McCain was also quoted as saying ” …we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments.” And on the same occasion, John McCain said of Barack Obama, “He’s a decent family man, a citizen who I just happen to have serious differences with on fundamental questions.”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008254592_mccain110.html
All four candidates should be well-schooled in disability issues when the election is over. I hope that we can take this great opportunity to share information and concerns with them while they are each most likely to be paying attention.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:57 am
I’m having a hard time understanding the bitterness toward Sarah Palin when it comes to the topic of Down syndrome and/or special needs.
First of all, like it or not, if you or your loved one has a disability, you do have special needs. There is nothing offensive about that.
Is Palin an expert on Down syndrome? Probably not. Neither am I and my daughter is five.
You don’t have to be an expert to be an advocate.
Simply by giving birth to her son, Palin has aleady done what less than 20% of the population would’ve done under the circumstances.
I’d say she’s pretty good advocate.
No matter the outcome of the election, she and her family have doe more to raise awareness about individuals with disabilities than any of us will ever be able to do.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I find it interesting that the focus is on who can talk the talk instead of who is demonstrating that they walk the walk.
Sarah Palin, upon finding out that her unborn child had Ds, was understandably upset, but did not abort the baby. She obviously loves her son, and is proud of him.
Obama has famously said that he favors abortion rights because he ‘would not want my daughter punished with a baby’.
Any guesses as to how he would react to the news that his wife or his daughter was expecting a child with Ds?
Sarah Palin is the one who actually has experience with a child with special needs.I don’t understand why her campaign promises are seen as not having any merit, yet Obama’s are taken as rock solid.
Have you looked at Illinois’ record on special needs funding? It isn’t exactly very illustrious.
So why believe that Obama will do more as President for people with disabilities than he has done in his state Senate or as Senator?
October 17th, 2008 at 10:28 am
There are many excuses for not using “people first” language at all times, and some of them are based on respect for the people being spoken to and/or about. Not every disabled person is a fan of that usage, and some even find it offensive.
Jim Sinclair’s opinion, here, is one that I’ve seen shared by many other self-advocates:
http://web.syr.edu/~jisincla/person_first.htm
In my opinion, what’s truly important is listening respectfully to marginalized groups and calling them what they want to be called, regardless of whether it’s what society deems appropriate or not.
—
Back on topic, I do agree that Palin is very new to advocacy and has yet to develop much of a track record with the issues at hand. Her promises are great, but until she elaborates on the specifics, all they are is promises.
I have to admit that I’m a little concerned that all I’ve heard from her has focused on children and not addressed the needs of disabled adults, and I really wonder how exactly she’s going to go about improving things for children with disabilities if McCain gets to implement his spending freeze.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:22 am
My son is 16 with learning disabilities and ADD. This is the first I have heard of “people first language” please educate me.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
John is right.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
My daughter is 18 months old and I still consider myself a new parent, on a learning curve, and this is the first I’ve heard of “people first” language (am going to research now!)
However, I am not a public figure. I don’t go out in front of thousands of people multiple times a week to spread the message that I want to represent and advocate for every family that has disabled members nor do I have the audacity to proclaim an above-average knowledge, empathy, and understanding for every disability out there.
I think Palin is in a unique position, and if she’s going to use her family members as a political platform, she HAS to educate herself first about the people she is addressing. Assuming she just automatically be given carte blanche with regards to how she speaks and how she acts because of whom she has given birth to I think is not just ignorant but dismissive.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Wow, Anne, that compassion is amazing. I hope that new parents don’t come to you when they find out that they have a child with special needs.
Most new parents do not know people first language, it is all a learning curve. I have heard this a lot from new parents. It does not indicate to me how much they care about families with a member who happens to have special needs. If I was that tough on every new parent on this issue, I would be made at every new parent. It is a small part of their journey. We all learn this as we go.
What I really see in your post is that you support Obama. Which is fine. But let’s remember that new parents deserve respect and dignity as they learn. No matter who they are. After all, did you know everything the day your child was born, or even 6 months later? I can say I did not, but it did not make me a bad person. Just my thoughts.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I would try to not get caught up on language…McCain seemed to me to just be pointing out that she is familiar with the needs of a family who has an autistic child, this is probably since she has a niece who is autistic.
I’ll bet since the moment she learned that her child would be born with down’s she has spent many an hour considering how this will affect his life, what it will demand of she and her husband as parents, etc. I think it is fair to guess that she might be somewhat in tune with what other families who have children with harder to meet needs are facing. It is a pretty obvious concept — not really anything to argue about.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
To Anne: DITTO! Thanks for your comments — they are right on.
We need to get the point across as firmly as we can that we are not “special needs” families, but families period. Everyone in the media and seeking political office should be briefed on People First Language if they are going to pretend they know something about our families and want to support us in some (as yet undisclosed at least from the Republican candidates) way.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:48 am
How can a candidate claim his running mate understands more about individuals with specialized needs when she consistently refuses to use “people first” language — even when speaking about her own son? Being in this arena for 5 months does not give one much experience in working with the needs of people with disabilities.
Mrs. Palin has yet to advocate for her son with the public school system, fight with her insurance company for long term therapeutic interventions or defend her son against playground bullies and their ignorant parents. Further, there has been absolutely not one specific proposal from this campaign as to how exactly Mrs. Palin would go about helping our families.
I resent being called a “special needs family.” I am part of a family. Some of us have extra needs. My son is a human, and he is *being.* He is not a disability, he is a kid. Anyone seeking the highest office in the greatest country in the world should understand this simple fact.
“People first” language is important, it reflects how we view one another. There is no excuse in this day and age for a public figure not to use “people first” language at all times. I would do the same for Mrs. Palin’s son. I hope she will have the courtesy to do so for mine in the future.