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

[hole_n_one]

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.

Does that clear things up for you?

[keithtoo]

Hey, I’m a sinner too, but just how SICK do you have to be to think that killing a Down Syndrome baby is merely one of two equally viable options a parent can chose?

[wagglebee]

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[greyfoxx39]

Wow, that is impressive. Lotta hard work there. Gonna save that link, thanks.

[Marysecretary]

Downs children/adults are amazing people. My best friend had a Downs baby when she was in her 40’s. This young woman, now about 23, is THE most loving person you will ever meet. She has no concept of hate or bitterness. She IS stubborn though, LOL. She’s taken dancing lessons, sings, praises the Lord (you should hear her pray) and she just blesses the daylights out of her family and all who know her. When she says, “I Love you, Murry,” she really means it.

[Nea Wood]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[Marysecretary]

What gets me is that doctors themselves recommend abortion or putting the children in a home. What joy parents miss when they listen to these murderers.

[lolhelp]

They most certainly are angels. I had a cousin w/Down Syndrome and he was always the most loving and helpful person in our family, he lived to be 51.

[sweetiepiezer]

What a great story.
Amen is right.

[narses]

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[sourcery]

Note: The slogan was originally posted to FR by Renfield. Islander7 created the graphic. I've merely taken the initiative in publicizing it. It's so good, it may well be the "Sore/Loserman" of the 2008 election.

[tapatio]

Thank you for posting this.

[cookcounty]

When I lived in Chicago, there was a Down Syndrome kid who bagged groceries at the local supermarket. They kid had more sunshine than the whole state of Florida. Everybody enjoyed getting in “his” checkout line.

[Mediocrates]

It means the same as bump. Back to the top=bttt

[greyfoxx39]

Thanks.

[nina0113]

ping - so many good Palin threads I'm afraid you might miss this.

[50cal Smokepole]

[ErnBatavia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1378747/posts?page=1

[Guenevere]

bttt

[Salvation]

Good grief, if you think that is outstanding you should see the dimocrat Obama/Biden/Pelosi/abortion collection I have. It’s huge!

Vote NObama.