Comments on: Excerpt from ‘Going Rogue’: Sarah Palin on life with Trig

By: Heather T

Heather T — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:41:52 +0000

What you say is true on both counts, Sara. When listening to the concerns of a prenatally diagnosed parent, the old saying does apply: we can lead a horse to water but we can’t make them drink. All our efforts just don’t penetrate every heart/mind. But we press on, continuing to listen, share and as you point out, advocate for better resources and support.

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:03:49 +0000

We face unknowns with all our children and with ourselves as well. It is so sad to think that a child never even makes it into the world based on concerns of the parents regarding how “severe” they will be. Who among us is perfect and who is not dealing with health and or other types of issues that limit what we thought we would be able to do with our lives. Life itself is not perfect. We all experience suffering in some way, but hope that the good days outnumber the bad. We need ever better resources, networks, parent support, etc., etc., for kids with disabilities, so life with a child with Down syndrome doesn’t seem so bleak to prospective parents.

By: Heather T

Heather T — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:37:53 +0000

What I hear from parents who do terminate is that they are just not able to handle the unknowns about raising a child with DS. How “severe” will the child be? What kind of health issues will they have? Will we go broke raising this child? They want definitive answers to these and many other questions or they just can’t sleep at night.

By: Elisabeth's Mom

Elisabeth's Mom — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:06:06 +0000

Clearly there are people who draw this line between pro-life and pro choice very carefully and neatly. Some even build an entire political platform on it.

But no one really knows what they’re going to do when faced with a choice to continue or terminate a pregnancy based on prenatal test results or family genetics or mutations from industrial accidents that devistate an entire region.

We can only hope that women would be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity regardless what she chooses.

As to why 90% chose to terminate their pregnancy, I bet many did so due to economics or lacking in family support to continue with the pregnancy.

Why anyone thinks that women terminate their pregnancy or resort to testing because they want a “perfect” baby is perhaps a myth perpetuated by the same people who want to take that “personal choice” away from women.

Are we so limited in our views of motherhood that we cannot go beyond stereotyping each other as monsters, missionaries, or worse yet martyrs for the choices we make?

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:15:27 +0000

Jessica,

I never said that all those that are pro-choice would opt to terminate based on a pre-natal diagnosis.

I did say that I’m sure there are many “pro-lifers” who become “pro-choice” when faced with a pre-natal diagnosis.

Regardless, with an estimated 90% termination rate, that doesn’t leave many “pro-choice” who choose to have the baby.

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:16:37 +0000

Tim & Sara – actually it was translated for the Brits. If you continue, you’ll see other little slight changes: queue, centre, colour, organisers, demeanour, etc….And of course Down’s Syndrome. I don’t understand the need (line vs queue) but they make them.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:36:21 +0000

I for one would love to see her advocating early intervention. She has the means to get Trig the best of the best and make this a statement for early intervention and it’s long term positive effects. She also has the opportunity to educate the general population on respect and the value of a total life — not just in the delivery room. Instead she is parading him around like a Jerry Lewis telethon.

We have to stop this portrayal of people with DS as angels or a special gift from God. If you are a believer in God then the point is that ALL of us are gifts from God and we should ALL be treated with the same love and respect.

A potential president should not be evaluated on one issue. The whole abortion issue has become so convoluted. The extremist on each end of the spectrum have riled up the public so much that people are actually choosing a potential president based on this issue alone. That is absurd.

Palin has been quoted as calling her son her little “retard” by numerous people. She doesn’t get it even though she got him. The birth of a child with DS can come to anyone — regardless of race, religion, education or opinion. We need to educate better overall and not just hang our hat on one issue.

Sarah Palin is a joke that has no punch line. We deserve better.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:12:13 +0000

Just b/c one is pro-choice does not mean that one will automatically choose to terminate based on a prenatal diagnosis of Ds. Let’s stop with the assumptions, Scott.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:31:04 +0000

Scott,
With Palin’s track record, I’m willing to bet that your bet would be a winner. I’m glad she has earned your respect, but me personally, I expect more from people in her position.

Pete Sessions has used his political clout to do more for the Down syndrome community, why is it outlandish, direspectful, etc, for me to expect the same from Palin?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:31:04 +0000

Tim,

I would bet that nothing Sarah Palin does is going to satisfy you.

She did what only 10% of women in her situation do — go through with a pregnancy knowing that her child would have Down syndrome.

Does she deserve a medal? No, but she and others like her certainly have my respect.

I’m sure the other 90% includes many pro-lifers who became pro-choice upon getting their test results back.