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

[peggybac]

I grew up with a neighbor who has Downs and she remembered me, and my family, 30 years later. I always thought she was one of God’s miracles, too sweet and loving to be on this earth. Sarah and her husband certainly are the chosen ones to be bestowed such a gift as Trig. God bless them all.

[freekitty]

You are so right. I was executive secretary to two retarded assns.

They are wonderful.

[LibertyRocks]

Hear. Hear. Amen, indeed.

I’ve heard many stories such as this one about individuals with Downs Syndrome. And he is right. They are a light in the world.

God bless them all, and their loving families.

[Salvation]

I have a grandson here in Oregon. He is just a darling at age 4. Will be in pre-school this year.

[HIDEK6]

OK, we see how brilliant you are.

Would you please stop spamming the threads.

[Salvation]

[Iron Munro]

Barack Obama: I don't want them punished with a baby?

[RochesterFan]

We, too, have some friends with a son (about three now) who has Downs Syndrome. This little boy is a delight to be around. He enjoys life and he enjoys people. He brightens my day every time I see him. His parents tell us that the boy has his “moments” like any other child, but they can’t imagine their family without him. It is sad that those, only interested in their own convenience, can’t see this.

[SuziQ]

Very moving column about a young man with Down’s Syndrome!

[definitelynotaliberal]

I’m so glad to hear the story of your cousin. I’d heard that they usually only live to their 30s. I know that they’re very, very sweet people. I was happy that Sarah and Todd Palin will have so much more love in their family with Trig. And I’m so ready to have Trig’s loving, competent mother be our VP.

Thanks again for the good news about your (relatively) long-lived cousin.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Prediction:

As Sarah becomes VP, then President, there will be a new awareness of Downs, in the most positive way ever.

No Downs baby will languish unadopted, and far fewer doctors will push families toward abortion who otherwise would have chosen to keep their baby.

[Thebaddog]

Amen to that, but we have to get them elected first. I just donated the first 50 that I have given this cycle. Drudge has a link at the top of his page. Go for it!

[aimee5291]

I have a disabled son...thanks so much for posting this...

[sourcery]

The slogan was originally posted to FR by Renfield. Islander7 created the graphic. I've merely taken the initiative in publicizing it here on FR. And I have received many recommendations to keep it up, which I intend to follow.

[Corporate Law]

Doubt that they are discussing the high cost of arugula.

Beautiful picture.

[HIDEK6]

It’s really getting annoying.

[loboinok]

I have received many recommendations to keep it up...

Add another! (I've also stolen it.)

[RightFighter]

Islander7, might I suggest that you change the stroke color on the wording to white and possibly increase its size by a point or two? The text is a bit hard to read as is.

[sourcery]

If Obama had as much experience as Sarah Palin, he'd be ready to be Vice-President, too!

Your tagline is also excellent bumper sticker materiel.