By Tim Waggoner
CORAOPOLIS, PA, October 24, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Since being nominated as the GOP Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin has made support for families of children with special needs a priority of her campaign. Today she offered her first policy speech on the issue in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
With many families with special needs children attending the talk in the airport hotel ballroom, Palin set the tone of her speech by telling her audience not to worry about the crying and jostling, saying, “That’s the sound of life.”
In her remarks, Governor Palin advocated school choice opportunities for children with special needs, fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and lowering taxes on special needs trusts, which families set up to cover long term care needs for disabled children.
But her speech was not all business; indeed, Palin went to great lengths to address the personal challenges children with special needs face in today’s society.
“Too often, even in our own day, children with special needs have been set apart and excluded. Too often, state and federal laws add to their challenges, instead of removing barriers and opening new paths of opportunity. Too often, they are made to feel that there is no place for them in the life of our country, that they don’t count or have nothing to contribute,” said Pain.
“This attitude is a grave disservice to these beautiful children, to their families, and to our country – and I will work to change it,” she added.
The mother, wife and vice-presidential candidate was visibly emotional at certain points in her speech, especially while talking about her youngster Trig, who has Down syndrome. “We know that children with special needs inspire a special love. You bring your sons and daughters with you, because you are proud of them, as I am of my son,” she said.
“When I learned that Trig would have special needs, honestly, I had to prepare my heart. At first I was scared, and Todd and I had to ask for strength and understanding. I did a lot of praying for that understanding, and strength, and to see purpose,” Palin continued.
In a country that aborts 90 percent of its unborn babies with Down syndrome, Palin issued a powerful statement affirming the sanctity of every human life:
“And what’s been confirmed in me is every child has something to contribute to the world, if we give them that chance. You know that there are the world’s standards of perfection, and then there are God’s, and these are the final measure. Every child is beautiful before God, and dear to Him for their own sake.”
While the Republican and Democrats differ on many issues, whether it be the economy or foreign affairs, many commentators argue the greatest void exists between the parties’ stances on life, and one of Palin’s final statements offered a sharp reminder of this.
“And the truest measure of any society is how it treats those who are most vulnerable,” said Palin. “John McCain and I have a vision in which every child is loved and cherished, and that is the spirit I want to bring to Washington.”