Friday, August 29, 2008
Sarah Paline
Now I'm not saying this is going to influence how I will vote or even if it will cause me to vote. But to see a woman on stage who is running for VP along with her child who has Down Syndrome brings a tear to my eye. In some small way I may have an understanding of how African Americans now feel with Barack Obama so close to the presidency.
Tips...
I found this on another blog:
Sarah Palin has just joined John McCain as his running mate, and she took the stage in Dayton accompanied by her husband Todd and four of her five children — including youngest son Trig, who was born in April. (Oldest son Track is in the Army, and will deploy to Iraq next month.)
A few minutes before Palin appeared, I heard David Gergen on CNN referring to Trig Palin as “a Down syndrome child.”
Ouch.We can do better than that.
It’s worth remembering that people with Down syndrome are just that — people — and should be referred to as such. Let’s make an extra effort, when discussing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to say that Trig “has Down syndrome,” or is a “child with Down syndrome.”Using language that puts the person first sends a strong message that people should not be defined by their disabilities.
Like all Americans, people with disabilities deserve our respect and consideration.And while we’re on the subject, let me offer some guidance on disrespectful language to avoid in discussing the lives of people who have Down syndrome.
Please, people, let’s not say that they “suffer” from Down syndrome, or that they are “afflicted” by Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that doesn’t interfere with a person’s ability to lead a happy, satisfying and productive life, and to contribute to their family and community.
Please, don’t refer to Trig as a “Down’s child,” a “Down syndrome child,” or “a Downs.” This is outdated language that demeans in its assumption that a person’s disability is the most important thing about them. And I shouldn’t have to tell you that old-fashioned terms like “mongoloid” and “mongol” are considered insulting by the disability community.
Looking for more information? Here’s a release from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.
Sarah Palin has just joined John McCain as his running mate, and she took the stage in Dayton accompanied by her husband Todd and four of her five children — including youngest son Trig, who was born in April. (Oldest son Track is in the Army, and will deploy to Iraq next month.)
A few minutes before Palin appeared, I heard David Gergen on CNN referring to Trig Palin as “a Down syndrome child.”
Ouch.We can do better than that.
It’s worth remembering that people with Down syndrome are just that — people — and should be referred to as such. Let’s make an extra effort, when discussing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to say that Trig “has Down syndrome,” or is a “child with Down syndrome.”Using language that puts the person first sends a strong message that people should not be defined by their disabilities.
Like all Americans, people with disabilities deserve our respect and consideration.And while we’re on the subject, let me offer some guidance on disrespectful language to avoid in discussing the lives of people who have Down syndrome.
Please, people, let’s not say that they “suffer” from Down syndrome, or that they are “afflicted” by Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that doesn’t interfere with a person’s ability to lead a happy, satisfying and productive life, and to contribute to their family and community.
Please, don’t refer to Trig as a “Down’s child,” a “Down syndrome child,” or “a Downs.” This is outdated language that demeans in its assumption that a person’s disability is the most important thing about them. And I shouldn’t have to tell you that old-fashioned terms like “mongoloid” and “mongol” are considered insulting by the disability community.
Looking for more information? Here’s a release from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.
Presidential Politics
As most of you know I have been a big Barack Obama fan, at least early on in the primaries. And if the truth is told, I still lean his way today. I like him better than McCain and I love a lot of things about his candidacy - I love what his candidacy represents for our country. But their are plenty of things that I don't like about him. For starters his views on abortion and this line he says about America being the worlds last great hope (my hope lies elsewhere than America). Right now I'm thinking about not voting in the presidential election as a way of saying as a follower of Jesus I can't honestly support either of these candidates who both offers visions for America that go against almost everything I think the Kingdom teaches.
But on a side note I heard this morning that McCain might pick Alaska's governor for his running mate. Which would be so cool because she is a woman and she has a son with down syndrome who was diagnosed prenatally (which means she could have had an abortion which 90% of the people in her situation choose to do). I can't imagine what it would do for the down syndrome community to have someone like the Vice President with a child with DS. That makes my heart sing! Though having McCain as president makes my heart cry.
But on a side note I heard this morning that McCain might pick Alaska's governor for his running mate. Which would be so cool because she is a woman and she has a son with down syndrome who was diagnosed prenatally (which means she could have had an abortion which 90% of the people in her situation choose to do). I can't imagine what it would do for the down syndrome community to have someone like the Vice President with a child with DS. That makes my heart sing! Though having McCain as president makes my heart cry.
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