Sarah Palin in the News
A round-up of news stories and blog posts on 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who has a son with Down syndrome. For the latest news, visit the Today's News folder.
Palin Vows To Remain Advocate
From Disability Scoop: "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she's 'blessed' to have a child with Down syndrome and will remain a staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities despite losing her vice presidential bid last year." (6/9/09)
From Disability Scoop: "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she's 'blessed' to have a child with Down syndrome and will remain a staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities despite losing her vice presidential bid last year." (6/9/09)
BBC reprimanded over jokes about Palin, Down syndrome
From Disability News: "An independent UK media regulator has found that the BBC violated the Broadcasting Code in airing a radio show in which an American comedian described Sarah Palin's son as 'retarded' and said his Down syndrome was proof that 'God obviously hates her.'" (12/10/08)
From Disability News: "An independent UK media regulator has found that the BBC violated the Broadcasting Code in airing a radio show in which an American comedian described Sarah Palin's son as 'retarded' and said his Down syndrome was proof that 'God obviously hates her.'" (12/10/08)
Palin remarks on disabilities at GOP governors' meeting
From Disability News: "Speaking at the annual conference of the Republican Governors Association, Sarah Palin told of the families and people with disabilities she met along the campaign trail." (11/18/08)
From Disability News: "Speaking at the annual conference of the Republican Governors Association, Sarah Palin told of the families and people with disabilities she met along the campaign trail." (11/18/08)
In Palin, Families of Disabled Children See a Friend
From the New York Times: "In the two months since she was named as Senator John McCain's running mate, Ms. Palin has made Trig, and children like him, the emotional center of her campaign." (11/3/08)
From the New York Times: "In the two months since she was named as Senator John McCain's running mate, Ms. Palin has made Trig, and children like him, the emotional center of her campaign." (11/3/08)
Obama campaign refutes Palin tax claim
From Disability News: "The Obama campaign rejected Sarah Palin's claim about special needs trusts as false and misleading, saying that only families who make more than $250,000 a year would face higher taxes under the Obama administration." (10/25/08)
From Disability News: "The Obama campaign rejected Sarah Palin's claim about special needs trusts as false and misleading, saying that only families who make more than $250,000 a year would face higher taxes under the Obama administration." (10/25/08)
Palin on Special Needs Education: What's Your Take?
From About.com Autism: "But while I do care about candidates' perspectives on special education and disability funding, it's hard for me to believe in any politician's promises for new spending on such issues. Yes, these issues matter. But it seems to me that our nation will have much, much bigger priorities in January than fully funding the IDEA." (10/25/08)
From About.com Autism: "But while I do care about candidates' perspectives on special education and disability funding, it's hard for me to believe in any politician's promises for new spending on such issues. Yes, these issues matter. But it seems to me that our nation will have much, much bigger priorities in January than fully funding the IDEA." (10/25/08)
Does Obama plan target special needs trusts?
From Disability News and the Wall Street Journal: "Andy Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, a nonpartisan nonprofit, says he has not heard any complaints from constituents about how the Obama tax plan would affect them." (10/25/08)
From Disability News and the Wall Street Journal: "Andy Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, a nonpartisan nonprofit, says he has not heard any complaints from constituents about how the Obama tax plan would affect them." (10/25/08)
Palin details plan to help kids with disabilities
From Disability News: "In her first policy speech as a vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin said parents should be able to use federal funding to send their children with disabilities to the public or private school of their choice." (10/25/08)
From Disability News: "In her first policy speech as a vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin said parents should be able to use federal funding to send their children with disabilities to the public or private school of their choice." (10/25/08)
Text of Sarah Palin's Special-Needs Speech
From Real Clear Politics.
From Real Clear Politics.
Palin disability speech previewed
Disability News quotes from an interview with the Palins in the Chicago Tribune. (10/24/08)
Disability News quotes from an interview with the Palins in the Chicago Tribune. (10/24/08)
Op-ed: Palin should follow JFK's example
From Disability News: "Writing in the Houston Chronicle, Marty Wyngaarden Krauss recaps President John F. Kennedy's efforts to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, challenging a national system that was based on neglect and ignorance. Sarah Palin should learn from his example, she says." (10/17/08)
From Disability News: "Writing in the Houston Chronicle, Marty Wyngaarden Krauss recaps President John F. Kennedy's efforts to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, challenging a national system that was based on neglect and ignorance. Sarah Palin should learn from his example, she says." (10/17/08)
Did John McCain confuse autism with Down syndrome?
From Disability News: "Los Angeles Times blogger Elizabeth Snead thinks McCain wasn't mixed up in his comments during the debate ... He just failed to point out that Sarah Palin has a family history of autism." (10/17/08)
From Disability News: "Los Angeles Times blogger Elizabeth Snead thinks McCain wasn't mixed up in his comments during the debate ... He just failed to point out that Sarah Palin has a family history of autism." (10/17/08)
McCain and Obama Debate: Down Syndrome, Autism, Special Needs
From Autism Vox, quotes from the debate on the subject of autism and special needs. (10/16/08)
From Autism Vox, quotes from the debate on the subject of autism and special needs. (10/16/08)
Families of people with DS "flock" to Palin rallies
From Disability News: "On NBC Nightly News, a video report on the many people with Down syndrome who are turning out for Sarah Palin's campaign events. It has 'become a phenomenon,' the correspondent says. Many individual photos of people with Down syndrome are featured." (10/15/08)
From Disability News: "On NBC Nightly News, a video report on the many people with Down syndrome who are turning out for Sarah Palin's campaign events. It has 'become a phenomenon,' the correspondent says. Many individual photos of people with Down syndrome are featured." (10/15/08)
Sarah Palin and the Myth of Special Needs Supermoms
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Sarah Palin and I share more than 'just' our gender and a special needs child. ... We share the weight of society's expectation that we should express our love for, and dedication to, our children in a particular way and that it's our job to do it all, not Daddy's." (10/7/08)
From A Room of Mama's Own: "Sarah Palin and I share more than 'just' our gender and a special needs child. ... We share the weight of society's expectation that we should express our love for, and dedication to, our children in a particular way and that it's our job to do it all, not Daddy's." (10/7/08)
Op-ed: Palin lifts disability profile, but more work is needed
From Disability News: "Sarah Palin has boosted the awareness of people with disabilities during this campaign, but bipartisan and community-based efforts are needed to bring about real improvements." (9/30/08)
From Disability News: "Sarah Palin has boosted the awareness of people with disabilities during this campaign, but bipartisan and community-based efforts are needed to bring about real improvements." (9/30/08)
Column: Campaigns need to get specific on disability issues
From Disability News: "People with disabilities want to hear specifics about what candidates are prepared to do to address issues like health care, education, employment, access and technology." (9/30/08)
From Disability News: "People with disabilities want to hear specifics about what candidates are prepared to do to address issues like health care, education, employment, access and technology." (9/30/08)
Friendship isn't enough
From BaltimoreSun.com: "What do families of children with disabilities need from the next president? Not just a 'friend' in the White House but a willingness to pay for services they need." (9/22/08)
From BaltimoreSun.com: "What do families of children with disabilities need from the next president? Not just a 'friend' in the White House but a willingness to pay for services they need." (9/22/08)
Op-ed: "The value of these precious lives"
Among the reactions to Trig Palin's convention appearance featured on the Disability News blog are this one from a writer who was "thrilled" and <a href="http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/18/op-ed-palin-exploited-trig/">this one</a> from a writer who was "revolted." (9/18/08)
Among the reactions to Trig Palin's convention appearance featured on the Disability News blog are this one from a writer who was "thrilled" and <a href="http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/18/op-ed-palin-exploited-trig/">this one</a> from a writer who was "revolted." (9/18/08)
Disability community should beware of Palin
The Disability News blog offers guest commentary from the co-founders and co-directors of the Beach Center on Disability. (9/15/08)
The Disability News blog offers guest commentary from the co-founders and co-directors of the Beach Center on Disability. (9/15/08)
Palin and the Disability Community
A round-up of Palin commentary from Autism Vox. (9/15/08)
A round-up of Palin commentary from Autism Vox. (9/15/08)
Down Syndrome Families Brought Into Sharp Focus
From the Washington Post: Families of chidren with Down syndrome have found that interest in the Palins is shining the spotlight on their experiences, too. (9/14/08)
From the Washington Post: Families of chidren with Down syndrome have found that interest in the Palins is shining the spotlight on their experiences, too. (9/14/08)
Star Trig
From Culture11: "How baby Palin will change the discussion about children with Down syndrome." (9/12/08)
From Culture11: "How baby Palin will change the discussion about children with Down syndrome." (9/12/08)
The Candidate's Disabled Son -- in 1872
The Disability Studies blog introduces the first woman to run for vice president with a son with developmental disabilities (in this case, apparently, fetal alcohol syndrome). (9/11/08)
The Disability Studies blog introduces the first woman to run for vice president with a son with developmental disabilities (in this case, apparently, fetal alcohol syndrome). (9/11/08)
Prosthetic Politics and "Palin's Promise"
The blog The Joy of Autism considers the differing goals of parents with special needs and observes that "Advocacy, my friends, is two-faced." (9/10/08)
The blog The Joy of Autism considers the differing goals of parents with special needs and observes that "Advocacy, my friends, is two-faced." (9/10/08)
Sarah Palin: No Friend to Children and Adults with Disabilities
The mother of a young adult with developmental disabilities worries about what happens when cute babies like Trig Palin grow up and need services that are becoming scarcer. (9/10/08)
The mother of a young adult with developmental disabilities worries about what happens when cute babies like Trig Palin grow up and need services that are becoming scarcer. (9/10/08)
Trig's Breakthrough
Washington Post op-ed columnist Michael Gerson writes of the chromosomal civil-rights barrier broken by Trig Palin just by being a visible, loved, and applauded presence at a political convention. (9/10/08)
Washington Post op-ed columnist Michael Gerson writes of the chromosomal civil-rights barrier broken by Trig Palin just by being a visible, loved, and applauded presence at a political convention. (9/10/08)
Palin, disability and Down syndrome, September 9, 2008
Another daily round-up from the Disability News blog. (9/10/08)
Another daily round-up from the Disability News blog. (9/10/08)
Factcheck.org: Sliming Palin
A story in Newsweek looks at misinformation circulating about Palin, including rumors that she cut special-education funding. (Turns out it wasn't special-education funding, and she didn't cut it.) (9/9/08)
A story in Newsweek looks at misinformation circulating about Palin, including rumors that she cut special-education funding. (Turns out it wasn't special-education funding, and she didn't cut it.) (9/9/08)
Palin, disability and Down syndrome: Sept. 8, 2008
The Disability News blog will be adding to this round-up of news stories throughout the day. (9/8/08)
The Disability News blog will be adding to this round-up of news stories throughout the day. (9/8/08)
Fusing Politics and Motherhood in New Way
From the NY Times: A look at Sarah Palin's pregnancy and the birth of Trig, including the first mention I've seen that her nephew, who has previously just been described as having "special needs," is autistic. (9/8/08)
From the NY Times: A look at Sarah Palin's pregnancy and the birth of Trig, including the first mention I've seen that her nephew, who has previously just been described as having "special needs," is autistic. (9/8/08)
Parents of Special-Needs Children Divided Over Palin's Promise
The New York Times looks at the governor's record in Alaska and the hopes she's inspiring among parents of children with special needs. (9/7/08)
The New York Times looks at the governor's record in Alaska and the hopes she's inspiring among parents of children with special needs. (9/7/08)
Gov. Palin's Budget for Special Education
Education Week reporter Christina Samuels takes on the widely circulating rumor that Palin cut funding for special education, and finds it to be false. In fact, the truth appears to be just the opposite. (9/5/08)
Education Week reporter Christina Samuels takes on the widely circulating rumor that Palin cut funding for special education, and finds it to be false. In fact, the truth appears to be just the opposite. (9/5/08)
Questions, we get questions
From Disability News, answers to readers' questions about Down syndrome in general and Trig Palin in particular (along with a cute picture of Trig's sister Piper applying spit to his head). (9/6/08)
From Disability News, answers to readers' questions about Down syndrome in general and Trig Palin in particular (along with a cute picture of Trig's sister Piper applying spit to his head). (9/6/08)
Palin: "We need more than a photo-op"
The Disability News blog offers guest commentary from the executive director of the Renssalaer County, NY, chapter of the Arc. (9/5/08)
The Disability News blog offers guest commentary from the executive director of the Renssalaer County, NY, chapter of the Arc. (9/5/08)
Sarah Palin: Mother and First Female Vice President
You may or may not agree with the commentary, but there's a whole lot of cute pictures of Trig and his siblings worth scrolling through. From the blog Parenting Freedom. (9/5/08)
You may or may not agree with the commentary, but there's a whole lot of cute pictures of Trig and his siblings worth scrolling through. From the blog Parenting Freedom. (9/5/08)
Palin and Down syndrome: Coverage soars
If nothing else, Sarah Palin's candidacy has started people talking and writing about Down syndrome. (9/5/08)
If nothing else, Sarah Palin's candidacy has started people talking and writing about Down syndrome. (9/5/08)
"Sarah Palin's family drama"
Disability News has quotes about how Palin handled the news of her baby's Down syndrome diagnosis, from the print copy of People magazine. (9/5/08)
Disability News has quotes about how Palin handled the news of her baby's Down syndrome diagnosis, from the print copy of People magazine. (9/5/08)
Columnist: Sarah Palin is hypocritical on reproductive choice
From Disability News: A Salon columnist speaks out on why women should have the right to terminate pregnancies due to Down syndrome, rather than raise "a child who will have a host of medical and developmental problems, requiring intense medical and social attention for the rest of his or her life." (9/5/08)
From Disability News: A Salon columnist speaks out on why women should have the right to terminate pregnancies due to Down syndrome, rather than raise "a child who will have a host of medical and developmental problems, requiring intense medical and social attention for the rest of his or her life." (9/5/08)
Trig's Promise
From Newsweek: "Advocates for the disabled receive Sarah Palin's pledge of support with the wary optimism of a group accustomed to unfulfilled promises." (9/6/08)
From Newsweek: "Advocates for the disabled receive Sarah Palin's pledge of support with the wary optimism of a group accustomed to unfulfilled promises." (9/6/08)
Palin pledges support for families with special needs
From Disability News: A transcript of Sarah Palin's speech excerpt about her son and special needs. (9/4/08)
From Disability News: A transcript of Sarah Palin's speech excerpt about her son and special needs. (9/4/08)
With Palin, Special Needs Get Spotlight
From the NY Times: "For some families of children with Down syndrome, Governor Palin is about to learn a powerful truth: A child with special needs enlarges the world." (9/3/08)
From the NY Times: "For some families of children with Down syndrome, Governor Palin is about to learn a powerful truth: A child with special needs enlarges the world." (9/3/08)
Palin's Choice: Pro Trig
From the Washington Post: Tim Shriver, head of the Special Olympics, hopes that Trig Palin may bring about a meeting of the minds across the pro-life/pro-choice divide. (9/2/08)
From the Washington Post: Tim Shriver, head of the Special Olympics, hopes that Trig Palin may bring about a meeting of the minds across the pro-life/pro-choice divide. (9/2/08)
Palin pick brings with it a boatload of assumptions
From Rocky Mountain News: Just because they both have children with Down syndrome doesn't mean this columnist has much in common with the Republican VP nominee. (9/1/08)
From Rocky Mountain News: Just because they both have children with Down syndrome doesn't mean this columnist has much in common with the Republican VP nominee. (9/1/08)
Selection excites parents of Down syndrome children
CapeCodTimes.com interviews parents of children with Down syndrome on the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican VP. (8/31/08)
CapeCodTimes.com interviews parents of children with Down syndrome on the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican VP. (8/31/08)
McCain & Palin & Down Syndrome, Oh My!
From the blog Winter Ramblings: "As exciting and ground breaking as having such families represented in the White House would be, it should not be the key reason anyone votes any ticket into the most powerful office in the world." (8/31/08)
From the blog Winter Ramblings: "As exciting and ground breaking as having such families represented in the White House would be, it should not be the key reason anyone votes any ticket into the most powerful office in the world." (8/31/08)
Sarah Palin background
The blog Mommy Life offers links to articles about the new VP nominee. (8/30/08)
The blog Mommy Life offers links to articles about the new VP nominee. (8/30/08)
John McCain & Sarah Palin on Shattering the Glass Ceiling
People Magazine interviews the Palins and McCains, including questions on how the VP nominee will manage to run while caring for a four-year-old with Down syndrome. (8/30/08)
People Magazine interviews the Palins and McCains, including questions on how the VP nominee will manage to run while caring for a four-year-old with Down syndrome. (8/30/08)
Special Edition This Just In: Sarah Palin
From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "From what I have read, Governor Palin comes across as sharp, resourceful, and not afraid to take on the 'big boys.' Reminds me of quite a few other Mom's of special needs kids I know. (8/30/08)
From the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "From what I have read, Governor Palin comes across as sharp, resourceful, and not afraid to take on the 'big boys.' Reminds me of quite a few other Mom's of special needs kids I know. (8/30/08)
A Special-Needs Parent Is the Republican VP Nominee!
Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and the mother of a four-month-old with Down syndrome, gets the nod. (8/29/08)
Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and the mother of a four-month-old with Down syndrome, gets the nod. (8/29/08)
Sarah Palin for McCain's VP!!!!!
From the blog Life With My Special Ks, excitement about Palin's connection with both parents of children with Down syndrome and military families. (8/29/08)
From the blog Life With My Special Ks, excitement about Palin's connection with both parents of children with Down syndrome and military families. (8/29/08)
Vice President Palin, Mother of a Beautiful Boy with Downs Syndrome
I join Ginger of Adventures in Autism in loving the sound of that. (8/29/08)
I join Ginger of Adventures in Autism in loving the sound of that. (8/29/08)
Garden of Eagan: McCain Chooses Plalin as VP pick
From Garden of Eagen: "If McCain gets voted in, that little guy with DS is going to be at the podium with the rest of his family, and for the next four years the United States is going watch this little guy with DS grow up and be just like every other 4 year old. THAT, my friends, is very exciting to me!" (8/29/08)
From Garden of Eagen: "If McCain gets voted in, that little guy with DS is going to be at the podium with the rest of his family, and for the next four years the United States is going watch this little guy with DS grow up and be just like every other 4 year old. THAT, my friends, is very exciting to me!" (8/29/08)
A note about language for my friends in the media:
From the Disability News blog, a primer on appropriate language for writing about young Trig Palin. (8/29/08)
From the Disability News blog, a primer on appropriate language for writing about young Trig Palin. (8/29/08)