Chewymom

President Obama,

It must be challenging to appear on a humor-based television show. You seem to do well in those situations, but there is always the chance of saying something stupid that you will regret later. Like this:

Mr. President, you yourself are a minority. You have heard remarks that marginalized you and other black people for most of your life. Of all people, you should know how that was going to go over.

Badly.

Here are the thoughts of some of my Facebook friends who have children with disabilities.

• S is having to an advocate once again for my daughter and others with physical and mental disabilities! Shame on you, Obama!
• I can’t believe he really said that…maybe it’s time to stop trying to be a superstar celeb and getcher butt back to the White House!
• When I heard that he said that, my heart sank. My son is 21, has special needs, was in the Special Olympics and now volunteers for the Special Olympics, and he proudly voted for Obama. I think Obama is a wonderful person and will be a great president, but he said something stupid and needs to apologize. I’m sure if he had a child with special needs he would be more sensitive to this issue, but that’s not an excuse. He needs to apologize and learn from this mistake.
• President Obama perpetuated a stereotype that Special Olympians are not real athletes or are lesser athletes. In the meantime, there is a Special Olympian here in the Detroit area who has bowled at least three perfect games.
• Disability slurs are so acceptable it didn’t even hit the radar of anyone except parents like us. And if we speak out about we will be told we are being too sensitive, too PC, he really didn’t mean it that way. Which…. I bet he didn’t. That’s the really dangerous part…. it’s so acceptable and people with disabilites are so marginalized, even slurs about them don’t mean anything.
• I can’t believe Obama just said that. He may be a financial advocate for our kids, but he has to learn now that it is MUCH MIUCH more than that! Damn it. WHY is it still okay to publicly demoralize our kids? Here’s the thing, I used to do it too, but then you learn the hurt it inflicts and you stop saying it you know? So waiting for the apology from HIM, not his office.

That’s just a sampling.

While we are on the topic of Special Olympics, let me tell you about my son who is a Special Olympics athlete. This would be the son, by the way, who turned 18 just days before the election and made sure he registered to vote so he could cast his vote for YOU! He recently swam in a local meet and came in under two minutes on the 100 IM. Now, that’s a time that most “regular” athletes could beat, but most regular people who are not on a swim team might not. Many cannot even swim the butterfly stroke. The effort he has put into training and competing is more than many other high school seniors who are not involved in any sport at all. He works hard, he stays in shape, and he deserves to be respected for doing his personal best and for getting out there and working toward an athletic goal. Your comments show a lack of respect for him and others with disabilities.

The thing is, Mr. President, many, many of us within the disability community supported you in your run for office. We believe you to be an advocate for our children. And I truly think you said this without thinking.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I hate the “R” word. I cringe when I hear it. Depending on the situation, sometimes I correct and educate the person gently, and sometimes I let it go. But truthfully, the “R” word enters my head…STILL! My son is 18, and I can’t tell you how many times I think the “R” word, but I somehow block it from escaping my lips.

Which is surprising considering how many things DO escape my lips.

But which is something I hope you will practice doing as well - not just with that word, but with any kind of slur which might be hurtful to a minority group.

Whether this was a stupid mistake - one of those foot-in-the-mouth moments that you just wish had never happened, or something you read from a teleprompter, or something you thought was funny at the time but hopefully now realize how hurtful it actually was, I would like to hear you apologize. Not your staff, not the media putting a spin on it, not someone saying, “He regrets it, but…” with a host of excuses. Just you. Saying you are sorry. The same kind of apology you would want if someone uttered a racial slur in front of you.

Thank you.

Dear Sarah,

I hope you don’t mind if I call you Sarah. I mean no disrespect. But I keep thinking that we could so easily have met through an on-line message board and become fast friends. We are both forty-something moms of five kids, we both profess to be Christians, and some of our kids are the same age. We both have kids with Down syndrome, and get this–their names rhyme! Brig-Trig! Had we met on a message board, we would be sharing stories. I would be telling you what life is like for Brig at age 17–how he is a senior in high school, and I would be reassuring you that Trig is going to have a great life! You would be full of questions: Should you start early intervention? What kind of carriers, strollers, and shoes are best? Depending on Trig’s health, you might be asking about cardiologists and ENTs. Our on-line community would be walking with you and supporting you during your daughter’s unplanned pregnancy. We would grow close and truly care about each other, and likely exchange Christmas cards.

But here you are, thrown into the public eye as a vice-presidential candidate, and the fact is, I don’t know you. And that’s a big problem, Sarah. Why are you letting the Republicans hide you away? Why will you not allow people to get to know you? The thing is, I really don’t know a thing about you. And I do have some questions and reservations.

First, I want to know why you would choose to place your family under such scrutiny during such a vulnerable time in your daughter’s life? I cannot imagine being Bristol and having the media discussing my sex life. (And speaking of your daughter’s sex life, I would also like to know if you still support abstinence-only sex education. I’m not sure it worked out so well in your case….But that’s getting pretty personal, and like I said, I don’t really know you.) I have been a mom for almost 18 years, and time and again I have to weigh my own desires against what is best for my family. Often I come second, as I place the needs of my children above my own. That’s what parents do. Is that what you are doing? Or are you sacrificing your daughter’s privacy in order to gain power and influence?

Second, I wonder how you plan to handle things with Trig? If you are elected VP, will you personally attend his IEP meetings? Will you push for inclusion? Will you be available to work with him in between therapy sessions to build his muscle tone? I remember when Brig was a baby…now granted that was a long time ago. But we drove back and forth to the hospital for his therapies four days per week. He had occupational, physical, and speech. And on the fifth day, and early intervention specialist came to our home to work with him. It was important that I be present so I could learn how to help him outside of his therapy sessions. I’m not saying a woman can’t work and have a child with Down syndrome–it certainly can be done. But I do think certain jobs would make that very difficult, and I know many moms who have had to make a career change to accommodate their child’s therapy schedule. Can you accommodate it as vice-president? Can you as a candidate?

I want to tell you how much I applaud your decision to give birth to Trig. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Did you know that 90% of those who are given a pre-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to abort? It’s a shocking number. I know that doctors do not always paint the kindest picture of life with a child with Down syndrome, but I am here to tell you that although you will face challenges and make sacrifices, Trig will change your life in amazing ways. A part of me is excited about the thought of watching Trig grow up before the nation’s eyes. But then I wonder about that as well. As I mentioned above about the IEPs–will that be typical of the experiences of “normal” parents if you are VP? What school system would say no to any of your requests? And will you want the same things so many do–inclusion? Full access to everything any other student has access to? I don’t know. And I wonder if you will make it look so easy to get what you want, that the rest of us will look like whiners when we complain about tedious IEP meetings and fighting school systems. Or will you just hire a tutor and not mess with the public education system?

Since we’re talking politics today, let me switch over to the other no-no topic of religion. I wish I understood more about what you personally believe. Do you believe that women are to submit to their husbands? I know you think women can do anything men can do. That’s a different issue. Do you submit to your husband? Is that why you copy him on government emails? Is that why he spends so much of his day, when he is not working, hanging around and sitting in on meetings, even though he is not an elected official? People complained about Hillary when she was first-lady, because they felt like she had too much influence. It seems to me that Todd has even more influence in Alaska, and I wonder what that will look like in Washington.

Last, and I know I am being cynical here, have you ever wondered why you were picked? I mean, there are so many other more qualified candidates in the Republican party. Women, even. Kay Bailey Hutchison comes to mind. Why you? You have definitely “energized the base” as so many are saying. I think it is your super-conservative Christian leanings and your living out your pro-life stance by giving birth to Trig. And honey, I applaud that. I really do. But do you ever feel like Trig is being, shall we say, used? That if you had given birth to a child with 46 chromosomes, that you would never have been given a second glance? Because I do think that. And I’m not sure I’m okay with it. Brig has brought many opportunities into my life, and it is because of him that I have done some things and met certain people. But I’m not sure if becoming VP because of a child with Down syndrome is something I can get behind. Because I think there are others who would be better-suited to take over should the unthinkable happen to Mr. McCain as president.

I guess it comes down to this, Sarah. I think you and I could really like each other as people. I truly wish we had met on a message board for people who love someone with an extra chromosome. If you read this and click in my side-bar, it will take you to a wonderful online community should you need that support. Because I don’t care who you are or what office you hold, everyone needs support! But honestly, unless I vote only based on our similarities–our age, lots of kids, a child with an extra chromosome or our v@ginas– I just cannot cast my ballot for you at this point. I will be watching the debate to see if you can change my opinion, but at this point it is doubtful.

Respectfully yours,

Chewymom

I think my timing in posting this is impeccable. Today is mine and Chewydad’s 20th anniversary, and tomorrow we head out of town for a five-day trip! We have NEVER done anything like this, and I am SOOOO excited! If you think of it, pray for my in-laws who are going to be holding down the fort in our absence.

So, anyway…here’s my can of worms. The pro-life issue.

Since 1984, the first election when I could vote, I was pro-life. I voted for the Republican candidate because abortion was heinous, and I could not fathom voting for a candidate who did not understand that life begins at conception, and who was willing to stand up for those unborn babies.

My passion for life has not dwindled over the years. But my political views have. I am no longer a single-party or single-issue voter.

First of all, I have lost faith that the supposedly pro-life party is really doing anything to affect change. Have they overturned Roe v Wade? And do they really want to? The cynical me says no way. If they actually DID anything to turn back Roe v Wade, what issue would keep the pro-life crowd in their camp?

And here’s the thing. Part of my passion for unborn life stems from the fact that I have a son with Down syndrome. Nine out of ten prenatally diagnosed babies with Down syndrome are aborted. How I wish that weren’t the case!! Do you know how awesome it would be for my son to see that many more familiar faces in his life? My child stands out as being that much more different than the general population because such a high percentage are never even given the chance to live!

Let’s suppose for a moment that Republicans are able to change our abortion policies. You know there would be all kinds of clauses–except in the case of rape or incest; unless the life of the mother is in danger; unless the health of the mother (including mental health) is in danger. Folks, NO change is going to be made that requires anyone to bring an “abnormal” fetus into the world. It just isn’t going to happen unless America becomes a theocracy and goes back to Old Testament laws, which I don’t see happening any time soon.

So what does it mean to be pro-life? How can we see to it that abortion numbers drop? When there are adoption incentives in place, abortion might go down. When there are programs to help unwed mothers, abortion might go down. When there are programs that help those born with disabilities, and when there are good education laws in place for them, abortion might go down. When there is sex education, abortion might go down. Yeah, we might appear to condone promiscuity, but if we are really passionate about life, which is the lesser of the two evils? Frankly, I would rather have my child taught about birth control options than to have him slip up and cause a girl to become pregnant. My goal is to teach my children that I do not condone pre-maritial sex. That my goal and desire is that they would save themselves for their marriage partner. But if they choose to go against my counsel, I want them to be protected. Y’all, the older my children get, the more I realize that I can only teach them my values and views. I cannot force them to hold the same opinions. That is the beauty of them being people and not robots. It is the same freedom God gives them, frankly. God tells them what He wants for them, but then allows them to make the choice about their sexual activity. How can I do any differently?

So if my main goal is to lower the number of abortions, in terms of political elections, I need to look at what each party and candidate might do that will, in reality, bring down the number of abortions. What will be put in place, or enforced, that will motivate people to either prevent unwanted pregnancies, or that will encourage people to carry a baby to term? If a frightened woman knows that she and her child will make it, that they will be supported by their freinds, their community, and even their government, she might be more inclined to bring the baby into the world.

I have heard the arguments that this is not the job of the government, it is the job of churches. Well, folks, what exactly is your church doing to help? Besides preaching on the evils of abortion. How is your church supporting unwed mothers? How are they helping those with a disabled child? Do these types of “broken” families feel welcome in your church?

On a personal level, I am often unsure what I can do that will really help. So my tactic is this - I make myself available to mothers who receive a prenatal diagnosis that they do not want to hear. It is not grandiose, it is not an obvious or attention-grabbing way to be pro-life. And yet, it is using my life’s experience to one-by-one try to bring down the abortion rate. Maybe your personal calling is something different - adoption, foster care, counseling. But I would encourage anyone who uses the label “pro-life” to define himself to examine that and see what effect you are truly having that is pro-life. Because if all you do is go to the voting booth every few years and punch the Republican ticket, you are really not having a pro-life effect.

For me, the pro-life issue is personal. It comes down to what am I doing to make a difference. I will not be bought by a party line, and I refuse to be swayed by smooth-talkers who use the term “pro-life” while not supporting life outside the womb.

I encourage comments, but after tomorrow I will not be available to moderate new comments or to respond. Which may not be all bad.

So I’m closing this can of worms and ducking and running all the way out of town…..

If you want to read a really eloquent post by a Christian mother about her views on the pro-life/pro-choice issue, I would encourage you to check out Nicole’s blog.

If you are a friend who knows me in real life, you are probably sick of me about now. Especially if you are on my personal email list and have Facebook. So to you, I apologize in advance.

For the rest of you, I’m getting madder by the minute about this movie, “Tropic Thunder.” Thankfully although those who made the movie have appeared to turn a deaf ear, the voices within the disability community are being heard. As Dave Hingsburger writes, “The Simple Jack website was pulled. The trailors were changed. The ‘Don’t Go Full Retard’ clip was removed from You Tube. The tee shirt was taken off the market. Our protests were heard all over the media. Ben Stiller had to address the controversy and found himself explaining his ‘humour’. Our voices were heard, in unison, around the world.”

During this time when all eyes are glued to NBC and the Olympics, does anybody else find it ironic and also disturbing to watch a Coke commercial, paying tribute to Special Olympic athletes one minute, and to watch a trailer for “Tropic Thunder” and hear that Newsweek and others laud it as the best comedy of the year the next minute? Let’s just say Coke will be getting a whole lot more of my business than Newsweek (which I have dropped) in the near future.

Timothy Shriver, chairman for Special Olympics gets to the heart of my concern when he says, “It wasn’t funny when Hollywood humiliated African Americans for a generation. It’s never funny when good and decent human beings are humiliated. In fact, it is dangerous and disgusting.” And that’s the point. Anyone who knows Brig knows that he is completely undeserving of this kind of hate speech being directed at him and others like him.

Brig is the kid who talks to everyone in the hall at school. Literally, everyone. He doesn’t care if your hair is greasy, if you have zits, if you are overweight, if you screwed up a big play in football, if you have food caught in your braces, or if your Walmart special clothes don’t match. He just doesn’t care. He cares about people because they are people. Sure, he may not have his math facts down. He may not read classic literature and understand it, and sometimes he is hard to understand. And he can annoy the fool out of his brothers with his Coke obsession and his embarrassing comments at youth group. But why do those characteristics make him a target for ridicule and hate speech? They should not any more than black skin or an alternate sexual preference should make someone a target.

And the really appalling thing is that it’s not the kids in Brig’s high school who are making fun of him and others like him. It’s adults! People who should know better! People who are influential in society - movie directors and stars. Would this be tolerated against any other group?? Of course not! I really can’t figure out what makes it acceptable to pick on the intellectually disabled, unless it is the fact that there probably will not be any retaliation. The one group who really can’t stand up for themselves, and probably wouldn’t want to even if they could. Folks, when someone targets a weaker person and picks on them, it’s called bullying. Not tolerated in most school systems around the country. But acceptable in Hollywood.

Click here to see what Special Olympics is doing in reaction to this movie. And click to sign the petition!

And then, out of respect for Brig and others with an intellectual disability, do not see the movie “Tropic Thunder.” Don’t see it in theaters, don’t rent it, don’t download it, don’t buy it, don’t order it from Netflix, and definitely don’t buy the merchandise that is sure to come out with catch phrases like, “Never go full retard.” Help me give a voice to the voiceless with our pocketbooks, and let’s make this movie the biggest flop of the season.

I had wanted to write a blog post about this upcoming movie, but a friend of mine wrote a letter to her editor that was so well-written, I asked permission to repost her letter. Click here to read up on the issue surrounding this movie. And click here to read another blog post that is very well-written as well. And then read this letter from my friend Amy.

Wednesday, August 13 is the release date of the movie “Tropic Thunder.” The film is expected to be a summer blockbuster, and features Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black as self-absorbed actors filming a big budget war movie on location. Through a series of freak occurrences, they are forced to become the soldiers they are playing. Stiller’s character is a fading action star who failed in his bid for an Oscar as “Simple Jack,” a man with an intellectual disability. “Simple Jack” is featured as a film-within-a-film, with Stiller sporting a classic institutional bowl cut and bad teeth.

This film is meant to be a satire about actors and the entertainment industry, but the result is far more sobering. The damage the film will do to people with intellectual disabilities and their families is immeasurable. The word “retard,” considered hate speech by disability rights advocates, is used frequently in the film. “Simple Jack” is described as a “retard,” and until recent objections, marketing materials and a website featured the tagline, “Once upon a time…There was a retard.” Scenes include Robert Downey Jr.’s character advising Stiller’s character to “never go full retard.” This phrase is already available on a t-shirt on the Internet.

A coalition of advocacy organizations has met with DreamWorks and Paramount executives in an effort to educate them about how extremely offensive this word is. Although the companies removed offensive marketing materials, they fail to understand the impact of their decisions. Advocates have been told they are overreacting, that the intention is not to make fun of people with intellectual disabilities, that other groups are made fun of as well. As usual, they’ve been told that it’s just a word, and words have no power.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. The words we say define who we are, and define how others see us. Words that denigrate and dehumanize an entire segment of the population have far-reaching effects. People with intellectual disabilities are routinely targeted for ridicule, abuse and violence, all because of how a word defines them. What starts with hateful words ends with hateful violence, and that should not be accepted in our society.

Films like “Tropic Thunder” not only foster a negative stereotype, they tell young people that it’s okay to belittle others, especially those who can’t defend themselves. I have a child with an intellectual disability, and in a few weeks, I will be sending her back to school, along with millions of other parents of children with disabilities. The hallways have never been exactly welcoming of those with differences, and many of us are already cringing at the thought of our kids enduring “full retard” remarks.

I call on parents, schools and teachers to make sure this doesn’t happen. Avoid “Tropic Thunder”. Banish the word “retard” as hate speech in your homes and schools. Educate people about why this word is so offensive. Don’t allow my charming, funny, and yes – smart – child, and others like her, to be targeted.

Brig is convinced that he is famous. He has been on tv (in the background), in the paper (lots of people in our town are in the paper), and he hopes to someday be on Ellen. He sees no problem with calling Ellen up and inviting himself to be a guest on her show because she is famous just like he is. They understand each other.

Delusions of grandeur.

So, a couple of weeks ago, his Special Olympics swim coach called me and asked me if Brig would participate in the Torch Run this year. The police officers in our city run the torch from City Hall to Walmart, where they gather on top of the Walmart and solicit donations for Special Olympics. I said, “SURE!” knowing Brig would love an excuse to miss a little bit of school.

I showed up yesterday morning at 8:00 at City Hall, expecting to drop Brig off and leave. I had a busy day with it being Ben’s birthday and all. There were little things like driver’s licenses to get and birthday cakes to buy. When Brig and I walked over to the small crowd gathering I realized that Brig wasn’t one of the Special Olympics runners. He was the runner. The torch bearer, in fact.

Meaning he spoke to the mayor. Had his picture made in front of the sign. Started the race with all of the police officers following him (many of whom he knew, because he is famous, of course).

So the race started, Brig enjoyed the attention, and I left. And a couple of hours later, his swim team coach called and said, “Tune in to xyz radio station! They’re about to interview Brig!” I was in the drive-up line at a local coffee shop, and I tuned it in, and just as the man asked for my order, here came Brig’s voice over the airwaves, not just of our city but of the whole surrounding area, because this was a station out of Huntsville! Surreal. I had called Chewydad who ran out to his car with a tape recorder and managed to record the interview. Click on the arrow to hear it (they talk to another person in the middle, but if you keep listening, they talk to Brig again at the end).
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 Brig on the Radio [2:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

That night we tuned in to the local television news because I had noticed some video cameras present when Brig started the run. He wasn’t on, so we headed on out for dinner to celebrate Ben’s birthday. As we were finishing our meal, a friend called and said, “I just saw Brig on the news! They said his name and age and everything!” Dang it–we missed it! We’re working on getting a copy of the report.

So this morning I am awake before the rest of the family, except for Sam who has always had an internal alarm for 0-dark-thirty. I walked out to get the paper, opened it up, and found Brig on the front page!

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Hey Ellen, Brig is awaiting your call.

Check out this awesome video on You Tube! HT to The Suburban Christian,
found via one of my favorite commenters on here (and a great friend!) Glenn.

All of my adult life, I have heard people speak and preach about how as Christians we have an obligation to speak up for those who have no voice. The meaning of this was that we were to defend the unborn babies being aborted by the thousands and even millions. There were those who felt that everyone should join Operation Rescue. And then at one church where we had our membership, we were encouraged to participate in a march or at least a silent protest on Right-to-Life Sunday (the Sunday closest to the date of the Roe v Wade decision).

We–Chewydad and I–had family members get in our face and ask us exactly what we were doing to personally end abortion. We weren’t going to D.C. for the Right-to-Life march, and we didn’t picket abortion clinics. We might as well have been helping people get abortions in these well-meaning people’s eyes.

Some of the more radical tactics have died off, but there is still a movement among evangelical churches to pressure members to vote for only pro-life (Republican) candidates. The argument is still that as Christians we MUST speak up for those who have no voice. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. I am starting to resent that pressure.

And I have a question.

Where are the Christians who have fought to give Brig a voice? Who has defended his right to be educated with his typical peers? Who has walked through IEP meetings with me, when I’m tearing my hair out because someone at the meeting doesn’t even want to allow him to walk through the halls of his high school without an aide present? Who sat with me while I was told that because of George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” plan, my child cannot possibly receive even an occupational diploma from high school, but will only be eligible for a certificate of attendance?

Who is defending Brig’s right to have more than $2000 to his name and still get medical insurance? He will never be able to hold down a full-time job, he can’t remain on our insurance, and the only way to see to it that he can receive the medical care he (and others with disabilities) need is through Medicaid. Who is helping see to it that Brig will be able to have housing and a care-giver? I mean, we are setting aside money for that ourselves, but who is defending the disabled poor who cannot do that?

Who is standing up and giving a voice to the widows and orphans? The disabled? The poor? Sure, some of those have a “voice” and can vote, but some can’t. And some need a stronger, louder, and richer voice. Because let’s face it, money talks. If a homeless man walks into City Hall and demands change, he’ll be laughed out of the building. But let the richest man in town walk in, and people will be all, “Yes, sir. How can we help you sir.” So who of us that has respect because of our assets is defending and helping those who cannot help themselves?

As I have been reminded, no one candidate is going to be and do everything I find important. I am going to have to decide which issues are top priority for me. After years of defending pro-life candidates in the voting booth, I am coming to a point of needing to speak for others. Like Brig. And that is why, although I have in no way decided who I am voting for or even which party I prefer, I keep mentioning the name Obama. I can’t help but be impressed with him. Take a look at his Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities. If nothing else, at least I can say thank you to Obama for desiring to empower and give a voice to Brig and his peers.

At this very moment, I am sitting in my den along with Brig and Ben. The Republican debate just ended and the Democratic one is about to begin. Ben pointed out that Brig (my son with Down syndrome, by the way) needs to pay attention because he will actually be old enough to VOTE in the presidential election! How exciting is that?

Brig responded, “I already know who to vote for. Barack Obama.”

About a year ago I made a bold move. I admitted to a small adult group from my church that I had [gasp] voted for a candidate who was not pro-life in the previous presidential election! This was quite a shock within this group. I’m not sure that anybody in our church has ever voted for someone who was not pro-life. Almost every car (er rather large SUV) in our church parking lot has a “W-The President” sticker on the back. If not that, then they have “S-The Coach.” As in Saban. University of Alabama.

One of my friends was quite alarmed at my statement, and said, “Wait! Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!!”

So anyway, I clarified to this group that I am adamantly pro-life. I have a son with Down syndrome, and 90% or more of all prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome end in an early termination. That offends me. And I want it to stop. But I no longer think it is a reality that a presidential candidate is going to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Yes, he (or she) may be able to appoint pro-life judges. But what then? If they overturn Roe v Wade, do you not think the congress will turn right around and re-overturn it? Or that the backlash in the next election will result in a president and representatives who will set into place a more permanent proclamation of this “women’s right?”

In my opinion, the most likely way to change opinions on abortion is one person at a time. My son hopefully does that all the time. He is a testimony to the fact that people with Down syndrome can have meaningful, fulfilling lives. That as children and teenagers, they are not a burden. I mean, sure there are struggles. Hard ones! It’s a pain in the butt to juggle the therapies when they are young. It is challenging to manage behavioral issues when they have limited communication abilities. It is a headache to fight with the IEP teams. But believe me when I say that my oldest son is not the only child who has presented me with parenting challenges. My middle child has spent significantly more time at the hospital than my oldest, what with his chronic ear infections, bacteremia, multiple broken bones, and concussions. My youngest has thrown far more temper tantrums and been much more of a discipline challenge than my oldest. Etcetera.

But back to the topic. Babies. Abortion. And elections. I am almost sick of hearing about Iowa, but I have to admit that I was tickled to hear about Obama’s big win in the Caucus last night. I really, really like this guy!! I find myself nodding and grinning and agreeing wholeheartedly when he speaks. And yet, I’m not sure my acquaintances in my little southern town with their “W” stickers are ready to hear that. And I’m not sure I am ready to defend it yet. And that’s where I hope you can help out.

And by you, I mean the two of you who are still checking in here, what with my lack of blogging for the last several months.

Those of you who are personally opposed to abortion, but who are inclined to vote for a non-pro-life candidate…how do you reconcile the two? How do you intelligently discuss your views with people who are single-issue voters? I’d love some ammunition input.