Dear Ms. Palin

I think it should be self-evident that blogging is a new experience for me. I'm not sure how many will be interested in my little corner of the web. My inspiration has been the campaign of one Sarah Palin. She makes it sound so easy! I can be Vice President and look here at baby Trig, he's special! I'm pro-life, see?

Sigh. Your reality is a bit easier than the rest of us out here. Lest anyone think I have anything but love for my girl Taylor, who is almost 13 and feisty as all get out- it is for her that I am doing this blog. People like Ms. Palin need to understand what the world is really like for people with special challenges, and for their families. Only then will the support and acceptance truly be out there.

Dear Ms. Palin,

I admire your tenacity and dedication even if I disagree fundamentally with your political views. However, it is remarkably easy to throw out scraps about funding for special education, about sending special needs children to private schools (that generally are not equipped to handle them), about what a joy Trig is.

He's a baby. He eats and sleeps and poops. That's what babies do. He probably is a little "floppy" because of low muscle tone, and needs a bit of help getting a good grip to feed, and making milestones a bit slower than your other children did. He seems fortunate in not having heart issues or other serious health problems. Other than these concerns, he is a baby. Nothing difficult there beyond the challenges all parents face with infants.

Quit using him to further your political aims. It's sickening.

Beyond that, frankly Ms. Palin you haven't a clue to what challenges lie ahead. The education is there in most communities, as long as there are paraeducators, speech and occupational therapists, and others helping alongside attentive parents. Educational materials for developmentally disabled children can be re-used as repetition is an important part of their learning anyway. Throwing money at school-age programs sounds admirable but it is not where the needs truly lie.

What is needed are more resources for new parents. More places for adults with disabilities to live and work- many of the group living homes in this area have waiting lists of three years or more. More child-care assistance for parents of children with special needs, who cannot find affordable care for their circumstances. Respite care and yes, even family therapy.

It's easy to be a "special needs mom" with a healthy infant, money, and lots of support.

Think about it.