I am reposting this original article that I wrote as a contributing author for the New Jersey Moms Blog. It was originally published on March 22, 2009.
Valerie

Prior to the election I was never completely bowled over by either candidate. We’d never had an African American in the White House and we’d never had a woman in such a high elected office. Nevertheless, I’d decided no matter which candidate got elected the White House would be more diverse and a better place for it, as would our nation and our children. I somehow thought society would benefit from having either one in office. After all, one candidate was an African American and one candidate was a woman with a child with Down Syndrome. What two candidates could better understand prejudice and challenge? As such, when Barack Obama was elected as the President, I accepted it and didn’t give it much further thought. Until today.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day, and the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Professor Jerome Lejeune’s work documenting the extra copy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. My nine year old son has Down Syndrome. In many ways he’s a “typical” child. I thought the days of my being shocked by other people’s ignorance and total disregard for other people’s feelings had past. Until this week. Two nights ago, when asked about his bowling game, President Barack Obama told Jay Leno “It’s like the Special Olympics or something”. It’s been two days now and I’m still absolutely amazed this came from the mouth of our President.

Words can have different meanings to different people. Words have amazing power. They are able to educate, cause pleasure and cause pain. I believe that people should always think before they speak. Especially when they’re in the public eye. Consider the response of then Senator Barack Obama to Don Imus’ racial remark back in 2007. “The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds. With a public platform, comes a trust. As far as I’m concerned, he violated that trust.” Ummm, hello Mr. President? Back at ya.

I understand from reading news articles today that the President had called Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to apologize before the Leno show even aired. No mention of an offical apology on President Obama’s blog, where he had promoted his upcoming Leno appearance. I think the President needs to address the issue personally in order to earn the trust back, and to educate and lead the people. I’m offended, hurt and angry as hell. It hurt me to hear the President say what he said as much as it hurt me to hear people misuse the word retarded. My son participated in the Special Olympics Young Athlete program and is now eligible for the Special Olympics and I take the remark very personally. And yet I hope the hurt isn’t in vain, that somehow something good can come from all of this.

President Obama. In a bizarre way it seems fitting that I am writing this today, World Down Syndrome Day. I, and many others, will remember this and where you go from here come the next election. People just like those I found on 5 Minutes For Special Needs writing about their families and World Down Syndrome Day. You have the power to make a difference. Help families overcome the ignorance. Help us get funding into research, advocacy and education. Help society learn and move forward. Help our children.