And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.
That's how it is with us.
Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys.
Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.
And children with special needs inspire a special love.
To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.
I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.
Just last year, the New York Times published a story detailing how parents of children with Down Syndrome -- even some parents who are self-described pro-choicers -- are leading efforts to educate expecting parents about the blessings of children with Down Syndrome.
The parents are fighting the negative messages often sent by the medical community that abortion is a compassionate response to learning your child may face different challenges than most. They hope that the proper education will prevent young ones with Down's from being aborted:
Their goal, parents say, is not to force anyone to take on the task of parenting a child with disabilities. Many participants in the ad-hoc movement describe themselves as pro-choice. Yet some see themselves as society’s first line of defense against a use of genetic technology that can border on eugenics.
“For me, it’s just faces disappearing,” said Nancy Iannone, of Turnersville, N.J., mother to four daughters, including one with Down syndrome. “It isn’t about abortion politics or religion, it’s a pure ethical question.”
What a great friend they would have in Washington if the McCain/Palin ticket is elected!
