Posted on 05/03/2008 3:43:18 PM PDT by CedarDave
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The results of Gov. Sarah Palin's prenatal testing were in, and the doctor's tone was ominous: "You need to come to the office so we can talk about it."
Palin, known for a resolve that quickly launched her from suburban hockey mom to a player on the national political stage, said, "No, go ahead and tell me over the phone."
The physician replied, "Down syndrome," stunning the Republican governor, who had just completed what many political analysts called a startling first year in office.
She had arrived at the Capitol on an ethics reform platform after defeating the incumbent Republican in the primary and a former two- term Democratic governor in the general election. Her growing reputation as a maverick for bucking her party's establishment and Alaska's powerful oil industry quickly gained her a national reputation.
Now she is trying to balance caring for her special-needs child and running a state.
The doctor's announcement in December, when Palin was four months pregnant, presented her with a possible life- and career-changing development.
"I've never had problems with my other pregnancies, so I was shocked," said Palin, a mother of four other children.
~~snip~~
Once her husband got the news, he told her: "We shouldn't be asking, 'Why us?' We should be saying, 'Well, why not us?'"
There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," Palin said. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the fetus' cells. It's a genetic abnormality that impedes physical, intellectual and language development.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
A heartwarming teary eye bump!
These kids are remarkable and sweet! With love and a proper learning plan (IEP), they can make great strides.
God bless Gov.Palin and her family,
President Palin.
Nothing could make me happier. And she's the perfect choice for VP this year.
God bless her and her husband.
Amen! Growing up, our neighbors had a downs-syndrome son and I have a cousin who has downs-syndrome. Also, I had a little sister who was mentally and physically handicapped. What they all had in common is that they were well loved and had great personallities. They are/were blessings to everyone around them. When my little sister died at age 25, the church was packed. She made a tremendous amount of friends in her short life. The rest of us should be so fortunate.
This child is blessed to have such a loving family.
Special kid on a familiar day.
Yes, I’m partial.
I just love this woman’s spirit! I wish I could vote for her.
Maybe...
A very nice story. I’ll “bump” this to your MLS thread on Monday afternoon. If you get a chance read the entire story at the link.
He could have severe deficits, or he could have almost none. Only time will tell.
But I've known some Down's kids, and while they can be a little bullheaded they are the most loving and sweet children on earth. It's bittersweet for family and friends because there are some things they can't do, but you will never get more unconditional love from anyone on earth.
I wish them all the best. He’s a beautiful baby!!
Lucky little angel
I doubt she would do it - she will put the needs of her children, particularly her new little one, first. That would not be conducive with 4+ years as VP and then 8 as CIC - She would be pretty much absent for all the formative years and I think she's shown that, as it should, family comes first/
A common misstatement. It's a chromosomal abnormality, caused by the ovum dividing unevenly. Only a tiny percentage of Downs is genetic.
I don't understand your post.
Our culture has become obsessed with perfection. Mr. Palin’s summation is correct. I was in my twenties when my dad was diagnosed with lymphoma. My first thought was ‘why not him’. Who would I have wished it on instead? This family is an inspiration to those who are so selfish to want to eliminate a beautiful but imperfect infant. Prayers for their strength and happiness in the coming years.
A tasteless comment from a two-month old newbie.
Mr Jarret: I'd suggest you watch your mouth on here. Your comments could be mistaken for those of a troll.
You have that right. This is a good and decent woman. I sure hope the National GOP doesn’t ignore her the way they do all the other Conservatives.
It’s a little convenient that she did this just as McCain looks for a vice president. But that doesn’t mean it was planned.
Did Jesus bring light to man so we could ignore good common sense?
I think it is cruel to bring someone into the world that will always depend on others for survival
“I think it is cruel to bring someone into the world that will always depend on others for survival.”
So killing it would be your choice?
:-} You know your stuff firebrand.
You mean like you?
I believe that the handicapped and mentally challenged people around us are all angels sent from heaven to help show us the way here on Earth."
I agree with her.
Perhaps you should invoke Adolph Hitler instead? He was deep into eugenics.
I have a daughter with brain damage. According to the doctors, they are surprised she is not more severely disabled. They are surprised she is not in a wheelchair and totally dependent. She has a lot of brain damage.
However, she can walk, run, and is gifted at math. She does have speech problems, but she is a great kid.
You don’t know what God is going to give you.
Lots of down syndrome children bring a lot of happiness to their families.
I understand why someone may not want to raise a down syndrome child, but I think there would be plenty of good people that would raise one. If someone is not capable of raising a down syndrome child, then I would hope they would just put it up for adoption.
Dolt.
...you mean him, or her, or the child...
I’ = I’m
By the way, re our governor. Our guys in Alaska have a saying. ‘Alaska - where the winters are cold and the governor is hot.” But you’ll underestimate this iron lady at your peril...
Dumbest statement I've ever heard. All mammals are born with need for parental help to survive. Stupid statement....
As far as a Downs syndrome person, they are some of the most beautiful people I've ever met.
HOLD UP THERE, KIDDO...You just uttered fightin’ words.
I have a daughter who is 6 years old. She was diagnosed with a developmental delay when she was quite young. She can’t talk, isn’t potty trained, and it’s entirely possible she may never be able to take care of herself. She was diagnosed just recently as ‘Autistic with delay’.
Now in the beginning, I asked myself “Why us?”. We don’t have a lot of money, so we can’t get the things she needs without help from elsewhere. She is a huge strain on our nerves. We can’t go anywhere without considering how she’ll act in public, and we can’t take our eyes off her for any amount of time or else she has a tendency to destroy things.
Over the last year, I realize that this little angel that God has given to us is a precious, sweet little love-ball. I would rather die than see her harmed. And furthermore...if anyone wants to get rid of her “because she’s a drain on resources” and “not able to be a productive citizen”, I will make sure that person ceases to waste my oxygen.
God gave her to us, just as He gave little Trig to the Palins. How DARE you suggest otherwise! A pox on you, brainless fool!
We all "depend on others for survival," to some degree.
I don't have children, but I have had pets that relied on me for their survival. I didn't have to "adopt" them, but they have brought me joy and friendship. I gladly give them shelter, food, medical care and love. Why would we treat a person born with disabilities any less respectfully?
That goes double for me. Our special needs grandson is graduating high school at the end of the month and we couldn't be prouder!
Who do you work for, Hillary or Obama?
You can’t really believe that she planned to give birth to a Down’s baby right around the time of presidential campaigns. Nothing cynical about you!!!!
I couldn't help but notice this sentence.
I guess I would have said it like this:
"Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the unborn child's cells."
Good on you. I work with mentally challenged adults and I will tell anyone that yes, they can be trying at times, but when it comes to UNCONDITIONAL love... this population has the market cornered!!! The looks on their faces when they see me is something I don’t even get from my own kids. Working with and caring for this population at this point in my career is not only humbling, it is an honor!!!
Sorry to get up on my soapbox about this, but my 41-year-old sister has Down's Syndrome and she is my angel. She can't talk, but sure can make herself understood!
And spanalot... this world would be a far crueler place without the people "that will always depend on others for their survival". What alternative would you suggest, please?
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