Your campaign snapshots: Take 7
November 15th, 2008
From Todd Mayfield, Jefferson City, MO:
November 3, 2008
Rally at Jefferson City, MO, state capitol.
Elijah Roark Mayfield, 12, and Gov. Sarah Palin
From Todd’s account:
“… In the group standing around us there was a dad with a small baby that had Down syndrome, too. When Gov. Palin entered the stage that dad held his baby up high to make sure she saw him — she did and she acknowledged him by placing her hand over her heart and making an adoring facial expression. She didn’t make her way over at that time, but she did continue to look their way several times.
“At the end of her speech, one of her staff members was waiting on the stairs to help her make her way to the crowd below. But Gov. Palin waved to the crowds for a moment or two and quickly made her way over towards the baby. Several hands reached out and she shook them as she was trying to ask the dad if she could hold the baby — one of the hands she shook was my son’s, but she was too engrossed with that sweet little baby to notice. She took the baby and held him tight — then she turned around so that the crowd could see him — I felt so proud for that dad.
“My son Elijah stood there, unnoticed, just inches away from this — with the biggest smile. He was just thrilled to be so close to this event.
“When Gov. Palin gave the baby one last hug and was passing him back to his dad, someone tapped her and motioned toward my son standing there smiling and star-struck. Her eyes immediately lit up even brighter and locked on his … tears began to stream down my face as I realized she seen my son’s very soul as I see it every day.
“She was extremely gracious and she spoke with my son like he was the only person in the world for those 60 seconds or so … after this pic was taken and she moved on down the line, I saw her say something to her husband as she nodded towards our direction. He came straight over to my son and introduced himself and spoke with him for a minute or so … I have to say I was bursting with pride and shed more than a tear or two as I saw the hope and amazement on their faces as they spoke with him.”
Photo by campaign staff.
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From Stephanie Carlson, Batavia, Ohio:
November 2, 2008
Rally at Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville Ohio.
Gov. Sarah Palin holding Samantha Marie Carlson, age 3
From Stephanie’s account:
“We wanted to go to the Palin rally. Palin was such an inspiration to me. She showed such strength — and that life does not end with a diagnosis. We made it through the crowd on our own until we reached two people deep. Then People behind us saw that Sam had Down syndrome and they started making way for us and telling everyone to move — a baby was coming through. The secret service lifted Samantha out of the crowd and handed her to Palin who quickly embraced her. They chatted for a second. She told Sam she was beautiful. Sam eagerly hugged her. Then they waved at the crowd. Palin asked Sam if she wanted to go back to momma and the little ham (she loves lights and cameras) said, “No, no, no” and hugged Palin around the neck. Again.
Photo by Stephanie Carlson.
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From Mark Leach, Louisville, KY:
November 2, 2008
Rally at Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville Ohio.
Gov. Sarah Palin holding Juliet Leach, age 4.
From Mark’s account:
“Before her remarks, Gov. Palin blew a
kiss to Juliet after seeing the sign we brought which read ‘Down Syndrome, Love & Be Loved.’ After her speech, she asked to hold Juliet, posed for the picture, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.”
Photo by Mark Leach.
See earlier post here.
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From Kurt Kondrich, Upper St. Clair, PA:
October 24, 2008
Disability policy speech in Pittsburgh, PA.
Bristol, Trig, and Piper Palin with Gov. Sarah Palin holding Chloe Kondrich, age 5.
“Chloe and I attended an excellent speech this morning in Pittsburgh by Governor Sarah Palin on issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities, and Sarah is becoming Chloe’s new best friend! Chloe even kissed baby Trig again!”
See earlier posts here and here.
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From Missouri state Senator John Loudon, Ballwin, MO:
October 8, 2008
Palin rally held after the Vice Presidential debate in the Chaifetz Center at St. Louis University
Sarah Palin holding Samuel “Sammy” Loudon, age 3.
From Sen. Loudon’s account:
“As soon as Sarah walked in, she spotted Sammy and gave that wonderful expression of adoration that any fan of the community would get when seeing a two-year-old boy with Down Syndrome. She gave her speech and then worked her way to us. Unfortunately, the security detail was guiding her away from our section. Todd Palin was giving more or less consolation handshakes to our disappointed section. He spotted Sammy and grabbed Sarah and pulled her against the security detail to reverse course and meet Sammy. My wife noticed one detail. She grabbed Sammy and gave him that deep mother’s hug and clearly smelled him as if to drink in the moment.”
Photo by John Zieger.
See earlier post here.
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From Michelle Harmon, Orrington, Maine:
October 6, 2008
Bangor, Maine
Governor Sarah Palin meets Ciarra Nichole Boucher, 10, who has Down syndrome
See video here.
Read the story in Michelle’s own words here.
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