I am a mom and the best thing you can do for your children is show you love them, you will protect them, you will educate them as to your morals and values and teach them that ALL individuals can do anything they want even if they have Down Syndrome. Lead by example. Palin is a first class mom. She is a role model.
Lovely sentiment, but unfortunately untrue. I sincerely hope you don't really teach your children such nonsense.
No matter how much I wanted it, I do not (and never did) have the physical capability to be a pro football or basketball player. Very few of us do. That's why the few who do are paid so well.
Most of us are able to accept physical limitations on our aspirations with something resembling good grace, but rebel at the notion that some people are mentally more competent than others. Unfortunately, it's true, and no amount of sentimental drivel will change that.
Some people have mental capabilities others will never be able to match, no matter how much they want it or how hard they try. Teaching children otherwise just leads to envy and resentment when they find out the truth.
In the specific case of Down syndrome, almost all have mild to moderate mental retardation. Even leaving aside the physical challenges associated with their condition, few will ever be able to function at a "normal" level. They can accomplish much and they are as important as human beings as anyone else, but their mental abilities are almost always far below normal. How does pretending otherwise help anybody, most especially those who have to deal with such conditions?