Trig Paxson Van Palin (Rich Lowry)

National Review The Corner ^ | Augus 31, 2008 | Rich Lowry

[greyfoxx39]

 

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Trig Paxson Van Palin   [Rich Lowry]

I meant to post this the other day (so please don’t take it as a response to Rick—in fact it might constitute pleading guilty as charged!), but I got sidetracked. I found the Palin event Friday incredibly moving. Partly because of Trig.

The sentimentalist in me would be willing to see anyone who is loving and unselfish enough to welcome a Down kid into their family elevated to high office.

When I was thinking of Trig, I was reminded of an encounter I had a couple of weeks ago on the Delta Shuttle from Washington to New York. It was a mostly empty plane, but I went all the back to the very emptiest part of the plane to spread out and enjoy he quiet. And there was a man sitting in the very back row who immediately piped up, "Hi. I'm Ian. Would you like to sit next to me?"

He was a guy with Down Syndrome, maybe in his twenties. I declined the offer, but we struck up a conversation. He was going to New York for a family celebration, including for his birthday. I told him I had a birthday coming up too and he lit up and came over to vigorously shake my hand in congratulations—more delighted by my birthday than his own.

When the plane began to fill up a woman and her daughter came all the way to the back with a huge bag. I began to wonder to myself if I should offer to help them with it, when Ian popped up, told them he'd get it, and lifted it up and shoved it in the overhead compartment. When two men came down the aisle with a box they weren't sure would fit overhead, he intervened and told them it would—"trust me"—and put it up for them.

He chatted amiably with his neighbors during the flight, and when we landed was up out of his seat first thing to help that woman get her bag down.

From this brief encounter, I dare say Ian is friendlier, better adjusted and more considerate than about half of the people on the streets of Manhattan or San Francisco on any given day. Yet most of those people are perfectly unperturbed by the elimination of babies with Down syndrome in the womb. To hell with them. God bless Sarah Palin for bringing Trig into the world, and may he shower those around him with as much sunshine as the gentleman I met on that flight.

08/31 08:00 PM

[greyfoxx39]

Amen.

[NonValueAdded]

BTTT

[greyfoxx39]

Ping for life.

[madison10]

What a great story! Roy Rogers and Dale Evans had a Down Syndrome daughter who was the love of their lives, they wrote a book “Angels Unaware” which is worth reading.

Down’s Syndrome people are just that...Angels.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Governor Mom and Trig.

[Mr. Mojo]

From this brief encounter, I dare say Ian is friendlier, better adjusted and more considerate than about half of the people on the streets of Manhattan or San Francisco on any given day.

I dare say that figure is more like 99%.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Amen, is right. I have a wonderful niece with Downs who is beloved by our whole clan. Until your life has been touched by one of these precious people, you can’t understand the loves they are. The Palins are blessed and they know it.

[P8riot]

We have several friends with Downs kids, and they are all like the one on the plane. Anyone that would abort a Downs child (or any child for that matter) is a selfish egotistical monster.

[Rome2000]

Ian was busy being a decent human being.

We should all follow his example.

[BossLady]

Beautiful!!! Well said indeed!!!!

[katykelly]

I read that book when I was little girl. This article reminded me of it.

[hole_n_one]

To hell with them.

BTTT!

[greyfoxx39]

WHAT?

[madison10]

I also read “Angels Unaware” when I was a young girl and it made an impression on me.

[greyfoxx39]

Ping for life.

[madison10]

It’s a quote from the article...notice the italics. :)

[Salvation]

Evangelicals in Israel back McCain

Trig Paxson Van Palin (Rich Lowry)
McCain, Palin going to region threatened by storm
Sarah Palin- links, from the beginning
Down syndrome
Alaska - Chabad Rabbi: Sarah Palin a Great Friend To The Jewish Community
Integrity in Politics [Sarah Palin]
Calling All Pro-life Dems
Sarah Palin: member of Feminists for Life
Don’t Blame the Bishops - Catholic means pro-life
Sarah Palin Wants Creationism Taught In Schools

John McCain & Sarah Palin on Shattering the Glass Ceiling (People Mag. Interview Today)
Laura Ingraham - PALIN: The PERFECT Conservative Choice!!
Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman, Pro-Life View
Gov. Sarah Palin discusses son Trig's Down syndrome diagnosis
Governor Sarah Palin's church and a list of sermons she may have heard
Conservative leaders react to McCain’s VP choice of pro-life Gov. Sarah Palin
McCain chooses pro-life Sarah Palin for veep (updated facts about Palin)
Palin Pick Causes 'Elation' among Evangelical Leaders
Beauty and the Beast? (Insightful Analysis of McCain's potential pick for VP)
National Right to Life calls GOP platform "Strongest Ever"

McCain Himself Accuses Obama of Courting Infanticide
GOP takes a hard line on abortion for its platform
John McCain Criticizes Barack Obama on Abortion, Opposing Infanticide Bill
McCain Goes There (Takes On Obama’s ‘Above My Pay Grade’ Remark)
McCain attacks Obama on pro-abortion stance
McCain, Vietnam, and a cross in the dirt
Pro-Life Expert on Population Issues Says McCain Better on Abortion Than Obama
US Bishops Look at Election
Vote for Real Hope and Change [Archbishop Chaput]
Stopping Abortions, Protecting Human Life Not Above a President's Pay Grade

RNC: McCain Won’t Choose Abortion-Supporting Running Mate
Real Change ("Catholics don’t stop being Catholic at the voting booth.")
McCain and Obama try to navigate the politics of abortion
Obama and McCain Woo Catholics
Editorial: At the Saddleback Forum, Senator McCain and Pastor Warren took the Gold
Religious Voters Favor McCain, Poll Claims
Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput
John McCain's Remarks on Abortion in Speech to National Pro-Life Convention
McCain campaign plans ‘very aggressive’ outreach to Catholic voters
McCain Meets with Selected Catholic Leaders

[donnab]

Great article. Years ago my best friend died when we were 9. Her mother had another baby about a year after her death and the baby was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I was a mere child myself but was involved with her from day one.
When she was about 3 I was babysitting for her and trying to get her toy telephone to work but was having a hard time of it. She grabbed it away from me giving me a look like how dumb can you be...and turned it on with no problem. I just giggled. That moment will always be with me...as she has humbled me time and time again over the years but always with a smile and a kind touch.

[greyfoxx39]

Sorry...I just saw that quote and wondered!

[Domestic Church]

Life bump!