One Reason to Respect Sarah Palin

I have to be quite honest with you, I can't support (or even really tolerate) the Republican party platform in the U.S. As for the vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, I think she was an inspired choice for only one reason. She's given John McCain a snowball's chance in that election. I guess that is a good thing for Republicans. I don't respect Sarah Palin's views on much of anything. But I admire her for one thing. She is the proud and loving mother of Trig Palin, a little boy born with Down Syndrome.

There are many devastating chromosomal and genetic conditions that a child can be born with. My family lost our unborn daughter, Ellie, to a heart defect and probably a chromosomal condition as well. I don't envy any family faced with the heartbreaking news that their child has one of these terrible conditions or the difficult decisions that can come along with that.

Here is the point of my post. Down Syndrome is not a devastating medical condition. It is not incompatible with a healthy, happy and WORTHWHILE life for the people living with it. Why is it that 90% of expectant parents faced with this diagnosis decide to terminate the pregnancy? Maybe it is our society and it's twisted view of perfection. Maybe most people haven't talked to a person with DS or their families. Maybe most people would make a different decision if they had the facts.

The Down Syndrome societies across Canada are trying to get the message out. Let's be a world that celebrates diversity and considers a life with Down Syndrome to be a life worth living!!! I've posted a really sweet video that emphasizes this point.