IS Palin a hero in the disabled community?

[Kajsa]

I have heard this claimed by the media,
yet I find no links to substantiate this.

I don't think this is true.

:(

[merwin]

1. I have heard nothing that can substantiate it.

[Kajsa]

2. Me neither,

so I seriously doubt it.

Imho, her decisions are based more on her extreme RW beliefs
than anything else.

I could be wrong though.

[liberalhistorian]

3. Why in the hell should she be?

So she has a Down's Synrome newborn. That doesn't automatically make her a "hero." What, if anything, has she specifically done or advocated for the disabled and their families? She's had the power to do so, I don't think she's done dipshit. She's against the kind of programs and laws that make life easier and more bearable for the disabled and their families, especially in the matter of insurance coverage. I've known plenty of parents of disabled babies and children who were or are complete and total assholes to their children and regarding the disability. Having a disabled child doesn't mean dipshit in terms of being a hero. It's what you DO about it and for the child and other such children and families.

[Kajsa]

4. Right you are, liberalhistorian!

I now know a few things about Palin that make her
anything but our "friend".

What a lier she is!

[Kajsa]

5. To answer my own question- NO!

She cut funding for Spec. Ed. in Alaska
by 62%!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/3/163229/8631/847/584963

Sarah Palin Slashed Special Needs Education by 62%

For those of you who seem so enamored with Gov. Sarah Palin, it might be worth noting that she oversees the budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools in Alaska.
These funds provide supplementary educational services to students with severe disabling conditions and the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. The resident school where the child would normally be placed does not have the resources to provide an adequate educational program. Without the supplementary services the child’s needs would not be met by the local school district in most cases.
The following programs are included within this component:
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)

The Annual budget for 2007, which preceded Gov. Palin was $8,265,300.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/...

The Annual budget for 2008, enacted by Gov. Palin is $3,156,000.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/...

The Annual budget for 2009, enacted by Gov. Palin is $3,156,000.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/...

This is a cut in special needs services to children in Alaska of 5,109,300 , or 62%.

So, as the Alaska State Budget description states, "Without the supplementary services the child’s needs would not be met by the local school district in most cases."

Did 62% of all of the special needs children in Alaska stop having needs once Gov. Palin took office?

Before we get so excited about Gov. Palin bring her "Reformer" agenda to Washington, perhaps we should get to know a little more about what exactly that means to our children, and the opportunities that she would "Reform".

[Deja Q]

8. Which suggests she feels 'special needs' kids are worthless.

Now, has she diverted that money to build concentration and death camps for such people?

[KamaAina]

6. Hardly.

http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/07/palin-ds-wrapup

Some parents of children with disabilities are enthusiastic over Gov. Palin's pledge of support, but advocacy on behalf of the disability community has not been "a centerpiece of Ms. Palin's 20-months in office or any of her campaigns for office."

"I never heard Governor Palin say as governor, 'You have an advocate in Juneau,' " said Sonja Kerr, a lawyer specializing in disability law in Anchorage....

Ms. Palin's effort to rally parents of children with disabilities has also prompted reaction among those who fear that her idea of advocacy might really mean preventing abortions of fetuses with Down syndrome, rather than lobbying for the early medical and developmental assistance that is so crucial to their children’s well-being.

:scared:

Original NY Times article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/us/politics/07needs.html

[Ocracoker16]

7. a self-proclaimed hero

told People magazine that she and Todd have always had a space in their hearts since their nephew was diagnosed with autism

Well, it looks like her dedication to kids with special needs ended November 4.

I guess it is no longer advantageous politically so she just dropped it