Column: Palin’s son transforming her to anti-abortion star
December 5th, 2009
Writing on Politico.com, Ben Smith says Sarah Palin is transforming herself into the leading figure of the anti-abortion movement, thanks largely to the presence of “her disabled son, Trig.” Palin’s youngest child was born with Down syndrome after his mother received a prenatal diagnosis.
Smith says Trig has been a “conspicuous presence” on Palin’s book tour, carried by his mother as the former vice presidential candidate descends from her tour bus or private jet to meet fans, and then handed off to an aide or local dignitary as she autographs books.
He says Trig has become both a “powerful political rallying point and a kind of shield,” with allies claiming her opponents believe she should have had an abortion rather than bearing her son.
“Mother and son have become objects of the left’s unrelenting scorn” and of hatred reflecting “a broader societal bias against disability,” wrote Christian conservatives Gary Bauer and Dan Allot.
Those people are, in fact, rather hard to find, with Bauer and Allot relying on obscure bloggers for evidence of vitriol.
(Photo by AP/Politico)
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December 17th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Sara, what blogs are those? I would be very interested too in reading about this.
The only stuff I’ve read about Trig’s glasses and hearing aid has been on the Huffingtonpost which appears to have an unhealthy fixation on Palin and whose moderator approves hate posts about people with Down Syndrome.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Now what we all need to see is Trig receiving early intervention, wearing his glasses and hearing aide (got this from blogs worried about how he is doing), and statements regarding how important it is to work with these little guys as early as possible to help develop skills for independence later on in life. Just hearing about someone’s pro-life cred based on choosing to continue a pregnancy after diagnosis doesn’t help that child after they are born. Trig is absolutely adorable and could truly be a great example of how best to support kids with disabilities. That would earn my appreciation regardless of whether or not I’d support or vote for his Mom.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Mandy,
Believe it or not, I’m neutral on Palin.
But, as you stated, I certainly respect her and her husband for doing what an estimated 10% of people do: have a baby with a pre-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Down syndrome awareness (good or bad) has increased exponentially since her arrival on the national scene.
That’s all I was saying in a previous post.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Palin – love her or hate her (and you obviously do!) – has (as Scott said) brought a totally new level of awareness to Down Syndrome and the debate over the ethics of aborting fetuses with Down Syndrome.
I have been Googling “news” on Down Syndrome since Google has existed. I used to Yahoo “news”. Up until Palin was nominated, “news” items on Down Syndrome consisted either of 1) new and improved methods to detect Down Syndrome before birth (with NO discussion by the medical establishment on whether testing and abortion was the “right thing to do” – how many articles I read were titled “Breakthrough for Down Syndrome”) and 2) rare news items on Buddy Walks.
After Palin was nominated, I would Google “Down Syndrome” and find thousands of news articles – not the usual 3 or 4. For that alone, I am grateful she was nominated.
However, I soon learned that insulting people with Down Syndrome was politically correct, as per the vicious hate posts about Trig on Huffingtonpost, Daily Kos, Washington Post, etc., all approved by their moderators.
Love her, hate her or just respect her as a parent (as I do), her choice to have Trig honored all our children: yours, mine and Scott’s.
December 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Using the standards of an organization to define a person’s actions only when it’s convenient or relevant to your point…yes, that’s offensive. She has had nothing to do with the NDSS, why would you try to make some sort of connection between her actions and that organization? Certainly comes off as someone trying any way possible to justify someone’s actions.
And to your “awareness” point – using that logic I guess we can say Ben Stiller has done much for Down syndrome “awareness” this year as well?
The inability to suspend political loyalties regarding this woman is unreal to me. Liking her or hating her is irrelevant (but it is a point that is CONTINUALLY brought up by her supporters), there are many people whom I disagree with but respect because of their actions (I’ve brought up Pete Session on numerous occasions).
If I can add to your “she’s done more than anyone” point, it is my belief that she has done more than anyone to strike a wedge within the Down syndrome community. She has taken away the discourse regarding Down syndrome issues like early intervention and inclusion and turned it into a debate on abortion rights via her son’s disability.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Tim,
Honestly, my post offended you?
Re-read it – I didn’t try to justify anything that Sarah Palin does.
Like her or hate her, the fact that Sarah Palin has a child with Down syndrome has done more to raise “awareness” about Down syndrome than many of the things the NDSS does.
That’s not a knock on the NDSS – it’s just reality.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Scott – And I find it interesting that you use an organization that Sarah Palin has had absolutely nothing to do with to justify her actions. Whenever it’s convienient I guess.
Your post, intentional or unintentional, is kind of offensive to those of us who are involved with the NDSS and do donate our time and effort.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
hsiehale,
Speaking of keeping to a particular way, I find it interesting that you choose to label those that are pro-life as “anti-choice.”
Regarding Sarah Palin, the three primary goals of the National Down Syndrome Society are to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome.
First, you must have awareness before you can have the other two.
Whether it was intentional or unintentional or for better or worse, nobody has done more in the last year – maybe ever – to raise awareness about Down syndrome than the Palin family.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Mandy, While I’m all for flaunting our children whenever possible, apparently it has had little impact on the attitudes people have about DS and other disability labels going as far back as deGaulle’s time.
You would think that by now the transition for the adult population into the mainstream would be seamless, but it’s not. However one defines “quality of life” will continue to decide the fate of the unborn.
While you & I lavish the fantasy of seeing our children grow into adulthood with some independence (a safe, assisted-living group home & a job) other people continue to see this as their nightmare.
But I’m not giving up and I’m glad you’re still hanging around, too. Because as long as there are people around like you, I know that my daughter will have some sort of future.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Elisabeth’s Mom: “Isn’t the battle the same for any mother (and father) whose child is valued less because they have a disability label?”
Not to my thinking. To the best of my knowledge, the medical profession does not counsel that people with cerebral palsy, people with autism, people with any number of disabilities that cannot be detected in utero (and are at least as debilitating as Down Syndrome), be euthanized when the disability is diagnosed after birth. Unlike Down Syndrome and spina bifida and the other disabilities that can be detected through prenatal testing (including, as you say, your daughter’s disability). Massive prenatal screening, the pressure brought to bear on pregnant women by a medical profession which – in my 25 years of experience – has become increasingly NON-supportive of people with Down Syndrome, result in abortion rates of 90%.
hsiehale: I don’t really think I can judge the motives of anyone else. Palin kept her baby and like most women in that situation, she probably received considerable medical advice in favor of abortion. Whatever her “motives”, the reality is that she had her son, and she is proud of him. He is VISIBLE.
I’m sure I would prefer a politician who is more in line with my political views, to have a child with Down Syndrome of whom they are equally proud, whom they “flaunt”. Unfortunately, the politician/father of a child with DS I most admire was — hélas — another right-winger: Charles de Gaulle.
December 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
There is also a question of motive here. Republicans generally keep with the anti-choice way, and I think that part of her keeping Trig despite the knowledge of the prenatal screening is to keep consistent with that concept. As Mandy said in the first post, Palin is “showing off Trig”. There is much media attention focused on the amazing thing that is not aborting a child with down syndrome (sadly, about 90% of moms will decide to abort their child if the doctor brings up that it’s possible the child will have Down Syndrome).
Through “flaunting him” (Trig), Palin can get more attention and people who originally disliked her (Like Mandy, who doesn’t like Palin’s political stance but likes how Palin isn’t hiding her son) develop more positive feelings towards her. So in a way, having and showing Trig is helping promote Palin. This may be an extreme way of thinking, but it is important to keep in mind the motives of celebrities, politicians, and overall, people with high influence.
December 12th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Mandy, Are you saying it’s only an ethical battle for children with DS because we know of their potential or because we know what to expact?
I proceeded with my pregnancy after abnormal brain development was found late in the first trimester. I was told there was a chance she would be severely mentally retarded. Was I foolish to bring her into this world? I mean I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
Isn’t the battle the same for any mother (and father) whose child is valued less because they have a disability label?
December 10th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Elisabeth’s Mom said: “‘Disability’ is one giant hot button that got pressed during the last Republican Convention.”
Yes, it did, unlike at other political conventions in the past where disability rights didn’t even get a mention.
I am not a Republican, I voted for the guy who thinks the Special Olympics are the punchline of a joke, but I am pleased that anyone is bringing up the issue — even Sarah Palin.
You say your child has cerebral palsy, presumably that could not be diagnosed prior to birth. Your battle is not the same as that of parents with kids with Down Syndrome whose very right to life has been brought into question.
As Scott says, ours is not a political fight — it is an ethical fight.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Rob, “Disability” is one giant hot button that got pressed during the last Republican Convention when newcomer Sarah Palin declared herself to our special advocate in Washington. Don’t hold your breath. It was only lip service which appears to be the only thing a politician can deliver on these days in exchange for a picture with one of our kids. Or in Sarah’s case, a picture with one of her own kids.
Sorry I’m so cynical. I’ve been at this a lot longer than you. I’ve earned it. But at least I haven’t lost my sense of humor!
December 9th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Elizabeth’s Mom – my reality is that I have a 1 1/2 yr old son with Down and I am not “surfing” this site.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I respect Ron’s view, but also agree that political discussions, when relevant to this website’s scope, do not go out of bounds. The only reason Sarah Palin is even discussed here is because of her chosen profession and how visible she is now on the national and international scene. We’ll all have to wait and see how her experience of having precious Trig in her life colors and affects her advocacy for all people with disabilities in the future. The more positive press the better, remembering that love for a child with a disability crosses all party lines and ideologies.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Abortion isn’t a political topic to me, especially when it involves a pre-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
It is an ethical topic.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I agree and also respectfully disagree with Rob. I agree that I do not wish this site to be used to express one’s views about politicians and topics that have little to do with disability issues. Everyone either likes or dislikes Sara Palin and President Obama. Hopefully, most that are on this site don’t care if a politician is a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent if what they can do helps those with disabilities. If what they do hurts those with disabilities, I hope we call them on it, no matter what party the politician or we belong to. If we can discuss objectively whether what is going on in the pubic arena helps or hurts our cause, I think we help our loved ones with disabilities.
I do, however, like to read the various opinions on topics such as abortion as it relates to those with disabilities and think it’s important to understand what people think about that. Even though it is a hot-topic issue that creates strong opinions, I am interested how people view and justify their positions. I think these opinions show how people view the disabled and where work needs to begin at changing incorrect assumptions. Also, I also think how a child that has Down syndrome, Trig, is portrayed by all sides is a topic worthy of discussion – as long as we can leave the fact of whether we like or dislike Sara Palin politically at the door. If a political or other public figure interjects himself or herself into a discussion about disability, I would like to talk about it.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I see Patricia’s blog as “reality check-in” for issues impacting the lives of our children and I agree it is one of the best. While I respect your surfing rights, Rob in Raleigh, the reality is that hot button political issues should spill over into our lives otherwise we are not living reality. We are self-perpetuating this illusion of reality and who benefits here?
December 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
My own view is that I would rather not see hot button political issues spill over into this website – which I see as one of the best regarding how we can support those with challenges such as Down.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
This is just another profound example of Palin not understanding what the real issue here. Many women terminate their pregnancies or practice birth control because they do not have the economic means to support a child who is born with disability labels. Rather than relying on government subsidy which is pretty much the reality for how most children and adults with disability labels get through life, there are some women who do not want to go this route.
Quite honestly, I can’t blame them either for making this choice. Personally, some of us have to get over this missionary or martyrdom syndrome we push on people for the choices we made to have our children and come clean about reality we face everyday raising our children with or without the benefit of government subsidy or community support.
The future looks pretty bleak for our kids. Unless we have the financial resources to support their everyday needs, they will have to rely on government subsidy.
I find it highly ironic that Palin continues to associate herself with a political idealogy that condemns “big government” when in reality most kids like Trig don’t have much of future without it.
December 5th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I agree with Mandy that it is nice to see cute Trig’s face out there with a positive spotlight on kids with Down syndrome, BUT, for Palin’s base to suggest that just because someone identifies themselves as “pro-choice” means they would definitely abort a baby with DS, or convince others to do so is wrong and a pathetic ploy for admiration or ultimately votes.
Look at the numbers first of all, even with the slight increase in women carrying babies with DS to term, if the statistic of 90 percent terminated is true, that cannot mean all those women with “pro-choice.” There had to have been many “pro-life” women in the mix to justify that number.
Also, there are obviously many “pro-choice” women out there who would never even consider aborting their baby pre-natally diagnosed with DS, evidenced by the full spectrum of people posting and blogging and commenting across the country on their kids and the joys and challenges they face while raising them.
I happen to be “pro-life” and didn’t even have an amnio while pregnant with my surprise baby with DS, but I am definitely not a saint and not even someone to admire just for making the “choice” I did not to have the amnio and risk (at my advanced age) having a baby with Down syndrome.
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One more thing – my child is not an “angel” or a “special” gift from God any more than my “typical” child is. All kids should be considered “special” and worthy of love and ongoing concern and support. Its great to see pictures of Trig out there, but to suggest he is the symbol of the anti-abortion movement meaning that the other side would always abort kids like him is ridiculous. If they want to make that claim they need to back it up with hard evidence.
December 5th, 2009 at 1:17 am
While Sarah Palin’s political views don’t attract me, there was a film of her with Trig on a publicity tour for her book and I just love the way she is showing off Trig. He is GORGEOUS. Too many parents of kids with Down’s leave them discreetly in the background of their lives. She’s flaunting him. I love it!