Not angry....simply very, VERY disappointed.

Making fun, using hate words, calling it satire is not funny and it is unacceptable. Even my attempt at the satire is unacceptable. It really sucks, REALLY SUCKS that one mother, thrust in the public eye, had the chance to stand up for everyone who has a disability and state why the "R" word is never acceptable-not even satirically. Yet, she folded. FOLDED LIKE THE HOUSE OF CARDS SHE IS. Such a disappointment. You know, when Trig was born and she finally came forward with his diagnosis; I was proud. I had hoped and prayed for someone in the public eye (besides John C. McGinley and Albert Pujols) to have a child with Down syndrome. I wanted that person to be a beacon for Down syndrome. I really thought Mrs. Palin was that person. Sadly, I know, right now, she most certainly is not that person I was praying for. Disappointment has sunk in.

There is a reality in this world. It is quite simple really. Doesn't take to much thought process to understand. Society, in general, sees this word in one way.

Retarded=Stupid

It does not matter if you are making a point, being satirical, or angry with someone; this is term meant to slam someone or something. PERIOD.

Why do I support the Special Olympics campaign "Spread the Word to End the Word"? Because, I believe in compassion, equality, and RESPECT for everyone. Will my son with Down syndrome be the President someday? I would love for him to be but, in reality, I know the answer to the question is no. Society would never give him the chance--but I believe with the right supports he can achieve ANYTHING in life. My son is not stupid. At this point he is not even displaying a cognitive delay. Will it come? I am sure it will.

I love the fact there is a movement to remove the term retarded from federal legislation. The word is so dated, so archaic. We have come so far in the disability movement there is no reason to believe this is unattainable. Will this remove the word from existence? No. BUT it will help to remove it from everyday usage? I believe it will. Mongoloid used to be the term of choice for a child born with Down syndrome. Mongoloid was frequently used just 40-50 years ago; today, it is seldom heard. Is it still out there? Yes. But it's frequency has diminished and that is what I hope will happen with the word retarded.

Change can be quick or it can be long, kinda like giving birth. My first born son came quickly into this world with a labor that was not long at all. I arrived at the hospital around 16:00 and he was born at 20:22--not too shabby for a first timer. Then, oh dear lord, then I birthed the twins. A long, arduous, painful, labor--37+ hours. My body quaked with contractions for 35 hours, unmedicated. Not fun. But in the end the change was worth it. And this birthing process of changing legislation, raising our kids to know better, educating those who refuse to learn is going to be a long, arduous, painful labor. But in the end our world will be changed for the better and I believe it can happen. We have the power to change; WE must be our own BEACON for Down syndrome, cerebal palsy, shaken baby syndrome, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, Autism. The disability is irrelevant-it is our job, as parents and self-advocates, to love ourselves enough to pursue this change.