Palin’s Advocacy Pledge Inspires Respect, Reproach

MINNEAPOLIS–Newly named vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin
fanned a small flame of hope for support for children with
disabilities during her acceptance speech at the Republican
National Convention Wednesday night, but stakeholders burned by
decades of broken promises are mostly taking a wait-and-see
attitude.

Palin, whose youngest son, Trig, was born with Down syndrome in
April, spoke about her baby boy in the speech, noting that the
greatest joys in families can often bring the greatest
challenges.

“Children with special needs inspire a special
love,” she said. “To the families of special-needs
children all across the country, I have a message: For years, you
sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and
daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a
friend and advocate in the White House.”

That pledge sparked heartfelt responses across the country
through Web site conversations, polls and even a Newsweek Web exclusive.

Organizations focused on aiding parents and their children with
special needs wondered, at least momentarily, if Palin’s
comment could someday evolve into money being funneled into
services for those with disabilities. Mostly, however, they were
gratified that Palin had spoken up at all about the issue.

“We’re delighted that she has brought this to the
public’s attention,” said Sara Brewster, vice
president, marketing communications, for Easter Seals. “It is
important for people with disabilities that this is on a
legislative agenda. What’s important to us is that people are
aware that children with disabilities have tremendous needs. The
sooner we can begin to provide services for them, the better the
outcomes are.”

Sheila Hebein, executive director of the National Association
for Down Syndrome, was more tempered in her enthusiasm. She’s
been contacted by People
magazine, CNN and various other television stations asking for
comments, she said.

“I think we are getting off track here, because Sarah is
not running for president,” she said.

Still, she noted, the publicity is positive. “She’s
created some good public awareness. She has a cute baby and he was
up there and we celebrate that … It helps our families to see a
baby in public like that,” Hebein, herself the mother of a
young man with Down syndrome, said. “But I haven’t seen
any meat on that statement. It’s too early.”

On About.com’s Special Needs Children blog by Terri Mauro,
parents of children with special needs and even some of those
children themselves weighed in with their thoughts on Palin’s
comments:

“I am a parent of a special-needs child and having a voice
and advocate in the White House is exciting,” wrote
Kelly.

“I am not impressed by the little shout out we got in
Sarah’s … speech,” Cleon wrote. “Do we
really think that she will have the nerve or the power to take on
Big Pharma or push spending away from the military to special
education? Come on … I’ll wait to reserve judgment but
[I] have no illusions that she would do anything of substance if
she gets in the White House.”

And Kara, a special needs person herself, wrote,
“I’m happy Palin pledged to be an advocate and ally for
the families of children with special needs … How does she
plan to do that? Simply having a child with a disability
doesn’t make you a strong advocate …We don’t
remain children forever and while my mom and dad appreciate the
support, I think they’d rather she direct her disability
efforts toward me–the person with a disability.”

For one mom writing on the blog site, though, Palin’s
comment didn’t resonate as either rhetoric or a solemn
promise. Instead, it opened the door of opportunity.

“If nothing else, I am grateful for the media’s
attention on all of us, the parents of children with special needs,
who have been quietly battling the school districts, the medical
establishment and the insurance companies. This is our Warholian
moment of fame, and we should use it [to educate] and inspire all
Americans to support our children and our families thorough better
government funding and insurance company regulations,” wrote
Michelle.