Presidential Debate...

[cindy_belle]

I have a special needs child and I am just grateful that any politician has put this issue on their radar.

Both my husband and I are medical professionals which gives us a better understanding of the needs of these children than the average person ( just based on education not intellect) and yet we have struggled with getting my son the help that he needs and deserves. I can't imagine how the average family manages without the access that we have. It is tough.

The fact is that we are in no position to change this. We, as parents. have limited ability to make things better. Sarah Palin has made this an issue and she is in a position to help all our children out there both as a Governer and a potential VP.

Shouldn't you just be glad that the needs of these children are being brought up and stop trying to parse their ( McCain/Palin) words into something different just to suit your own needs. That's bitterness folks even if you are too blind to see it yourselves.

When that happens it's not Sarah Palin who loses, its the children.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

First of all, I haven't seen any personal hatred of Sarah Palin. Most posts I have read, and granted, I don't visit this board very often, so am not an expert. But most posts I have read are posts from people questioning her abilities to be vice president or even president. I don't see many, although there are a few just like there are a few here personally attacking Obama, that have attacked Palin personally.

Secondly, I have a 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome. I have served on our chapter's board of directors. I have chaired the parent volunteer committee, which is the committee that visits new parents with babies or diagnosis. I have sat on the board of directors of 2 other organizations that deal with multiple special needs.

I can absolutely guarantee you that in the first year of your baby's life, you have no clue what Down syndrome is. You are still dealing with your grief, your confusion over your child's future. And just like any parent, you are busy falling in love with your new baby, you are getting to know your baby as the person he is. What is his personality? What are his likes and dislikes? Children who happen to have an extra 21st chromosome are usually only mildly to moderately affected developmentally, so you don't see very many delays in the first months of life. Babies with Down syndrome are exactly like any other baby out there, barring any of the medical complications that can occur. It is a complicated world of special needs out there and at 8 months, you are still very, very much a novice.

Add me to the group of special needs parents that thought the comment was an insult. And note, it was McCain who said that, not Palin claiming it. So, I was insulted by McCain and has no bearing on Palin.

I don't agree even a little bit with Palin's politics, but I do admire her for her decisions about her son. She will be a great mother and I am confident that little boy will be provided all the tools he needs to reach his full potential.

But McCain, come back in a few years, after the Palins have had to deal with IEP's, with occupational and physical therapists, struggling with schools to get the services for your child that he needs but the money just isn't there. Then claim she is an expert.

Great post. I completely agree.

After months of being subjected to similar "unbridled venom" toward Obama (and I started this campaign season leaning towards McCain), it's really kind of funny reading all the whining about people hating Palin. You reap what you sow.

I'm not the parent of a special needs child, but my friend is, and while I haven't discussed the debate with her yet, I'm sure she'd agree with you. She's a moderate and was as insulted by the idea that she should vote for McCain just because he picked a VP whose baby has Down Syndrome, as many women were by the idea that we should vote for him just because he picked a woman.

 

[SundancePass]

I am so very grateful that this group is discussing this without the venom in some other threads.

We should and must discuss, whether we agree or not, the qualifications, statements, etc. of our candidates for our highest office.

It's ABOUT TIME Americans became involved in America!

 

[Jennasis]

I can think of one family that jumps out at me immediately and that is the Kennedy's.

They founded Special Olympics and to this day have done more for special needs in the political arena than most politicians combined.

As a parent of a special needs child, I can assure you that is not cynicism. Most of the parents in my special needs groups are very worried about McCain's proposals and what they will do to funding of special needs programs.

I have to agree with Jennasis, and that most people I know that are involved in the special needs world are voting for Obama.

You should hear the uproar amongst the other coaches and directors. They are not feeling any Palin warm fuzzies, that's for sure.

 

[bicker]

Just found this, regarding McCain's claim that the Obama campaign did not repudiate Congressman John Lewis' comments that associated McCain to segregation. McCain's claim is completely false; he basically lied right there in the middle of the debate, with all of us watching.

Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies.

That statement was released back on October 11.

What did McCain think he'd achieve by lying?

 

[Jennasis]

Just found this, regarding McCain's claim that the Obama campaign did not repudiate Congressman John Lewis' comments that associated McCain to segregation. McCain's claim is completely false; he basically lied right there in the middle of the debate, with all of us watching.

That statement was released back on October 11.

What did McCain think he'd achieve by lying?

tsk tsk...

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Yes, McCain has been talking about a spending freeze in most areas of government. However, Governor Palin recently had an interview with Greta Van Susteren and the topic of special needs funding came up. She said she wanted to see more funding and more support for special needs children. Greta said, "Well, that's increasing the budget then, though, right?" Governor Palin responded by saying that she believes they can move some of the money available around and take money from other areas of government they know do not work and put that money where it could go to good use, such as special needs children. Whether you believe her or not, that is what she said about it. Ultimately, that'd be McCain's call on how to push that issue, but I believe she is sincere in what she said.

I also have my Master's degree in education, and I'm thrilled that special needs children are actually being discussed in this campaign. As another poster said, when's the last time you can recall it being a big topic of discussion in a Presidential campaign? This brings awareness to the subject, and that is a good step in the right direction.

 

[Charade]

Just found this, regarding McCain's claim that the Obama campaign did not repudiate Congressman John Lewis' comments that associated McCain to segregation. McCain's claim is completely false; he basically lied right there in the middle of the debate, with all of us watching.

That statement was released back on October 11.

What did McCain think he'd achieve by lying?

A better question is why didn't Obama confront and correct McCain's claim on the spot?

Why did he let him get away with such a blatant misstatement?

 

[Charade]

A better question is why didn't Obama confront and correct McCain's claim on the spot?

Why did he let him get away with such a blatant misstatement?

This is why.

Update: Obama's campaign said he did not agree with the comparison made by Lewis — but did not repudiate the congressman's remarks.

“Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for President of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists.’

"As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together. That is the kind of campaign Senator Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead."