As a parent of a disabled child

[DianeG5385]

I find it particularly disturbing to see Trig Palin paraded around as the "newborn" Disabled kids need alot of touching, good that Bristol has alot of heart to heart contact with him, this is tough but mom needs to be there for him too! He also seems to have a disability that requires medical supervision. For a four month old, very lethargic (don't know the level of disability) but I don't think it's wise to be parading him around the country. I think they need to take him off the campaign trail and give him a stable calm environment to develop in.

Now I work full time, I'm an executive and I have a stressful job. But I can tell you when I found out my now 17 y/o son was autistic (severely) at 2, I did curtail my career and took a 50% cut in pay until he was stabilized and in a secure reliable educational/day care situation (I was also a single mom at this point with two older kids) I want no praise, I just know how I dealt with it. He still lives with us and he's the BEST!!!!!

[madeline_con]

1. Where did you get the idea she does not like touching him? n/t

[akangel2008]

4. Gotta agree here as I've seen a lot of pictures

that point to the contrary.

[DianeG5385]

9. Your point well taken, I edited my post

[avaistheone1]

2. Sounds like you did a tough job. You also sound like an awesome mom who has her priorities straight

[Skittles]

3. may I ask, Diane

how your teenage boy is doing - I have an autistic brother who is not able to care for himself but he is a happy guy

[DianeG5385]

13. First and foremost he is a happy guy

My mission is to ensure that his life is happy, that he is stretched to the limit of his ability but always that he feels secure and well loved. He is definitely loved and in our community, many have known him since he was a little guy and revel at what milestones he makes!! My son has the ability to do self care such as dressing hygiene and simple feeding but I consider that he must have 24/7/365 care. I'm fearful of letting him move to independent living, I think he can be independent and live at home. No one can love him and understand him like we can!

[Skittles]

19. your son sounds like my brother

he is "independent and lives at home", too. Yes. :) I should not have said "unable to care for himself" - he is fine with day to day living stuff - rather, he cannot support himself. Luckily he was named for my retired military dad's survivor benefits so he's always got an income and is quite happy. :)

[ben_meyers]

5. She doesn't appear to be a single mom

and I don't think she will have to worry about childcare or medical help. I would dare say that her kid would probably have the best 'round the clock care your tax money can buy.

[Tumbulu]

8. but dragging a baby all around is not good for the baby

It is not about getting medical attention if needed, it is about providing the healthiest environment for the baby.

[Iris]

10. Says who? An infant is probably fine as long as he's with his mother.

What do they do? Sleep, eat, poop. They can be put in a sling and carried around constantly. All their needs are met. Babies have survived a lot worse throughout history.

[Tumbulu]

20. that is part of the problem

the popular culture has promulgated the view that taking care of a baby is NOTHING and you can just go on with your everyday life, no problem. Just drag them around, and if sounds bother them, medicate them. If they get infections from air travel, give them antibiotics. Just move on and stop whining.

Survival and health are a continuum. Most loving parents want their children to thrive, not perhaps make it. Intelligent parents minimize the stresses that will likely cause illness.

[ben_meyers]

14. I think you need only look to our own Joe Biden,

He began his career in the Senate while caring for two young sons after the tragic death of their mother and infant sister. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but he seems to have done a very good job.

[Divernan]

18. He kept his sons at home in Delaware - he didn't drag them around DC every day.

He commuted by train between DC and Delaware every day. Obviously, they were in someone else's care during the day. I repost this from an earlier thread:
PA Democrat (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-31-08 09:06 AM
Response to Original message
15. Kids with Down Syndrome run a much higher risk for sinus and ear infections
especially as infants when their immune systems are less developed. Personally, I wouldn't consider constant exposure to crowds a good idea.

Also, I don't know how much travel by plane Palin plans to do with the baby, but babies are more prone to have problems with ear pain because their Eustachian tubes are different from adults. The air pressure doesn't equalize as easily. That's why you hear so many screaming babies on planes.

Babies with Down Syndrome can have a host of other health issues including heart problems, digestive problems, etc.

I know that there are some who will scream sexism, what about the baby's father, well I blame him equally. I would assume that Palin and her husband jointly made the decision to take the baby on the road, so I question both of their judgment.

[Tumbulu]

6. I am disturbed as well.

As they say, the Republicans only care about them when they are fetuses, not as babies.

[DesertFlower]

7. i commend you. it must have been

extremely difficult.

[DianeG5385]

15. There were some crazy years that are hard to describe

in a short post. Suffice it to say that the difficult times are past.

[Gwinky]

11. Trig isn't a fetus, so he's on his own with any other born, neglected special-needs babies.

Yup, once a fetus is born, the Republicans' job is done!
Someone else can give Trig the nurturing and loving care he needs.

His mom is busy with "bigger, more important" things, and if he can be put on display to promote Republican agendas, and pull heartstrings of Americans everywhere, then his personal sacrifice will be well worth it.

[madeline_con]

12. But they better not spend any government money on it!

(Repug talk.)

[sandnsea]

16. I wondered about that

How does social security disability work for children anyway? Would it be likely that the Palins would be able to receive SSD and Medicare for Trig, or is it income based at all? Not that I begrudge the child anything, it's just their politics and I wonder if she practices what she foists onto everybody else.

[madeline_con]

17. Trig is probably eligible. n/t