Great show Kevin!

I love your show:) I listened to the last one too, and you have a new fan!

Your blog comments today are so very touching. YOU are a true patriot!

Hope you feel better and get your voice back soon:)

Christine

Thanks Christine on all counts. Rough day for me, but I will survive...I think!

C. S. Lewis said, quoting someone else I don't recall, "We read to know we're not alone".. we all want to know there are others who think and feel as we do..

it's why your blog and your show are getting so big so fast.. :-))

Never thought I'd find a reference to Mazslow's Hierarchy here, though, I gotta admit :-)))

Big Dave

Kevin, a fine and meaningful post. I had a severely retarded cousin when growing up. He could not walk without assistance. I often think of him (now passed away) and the happiness with which he enjoyed life.

There is a grocery store we frequent that employs mentally impaired (to use the politically correct term) folks to bag. One has to love their attitude and desire to please...and sometimes their humorous remarks.

There are way too many people that could learn a lot from these wonderful people.

That term was often used when I was growing up and still slips out of my mouth when I'm tired and frustrated. It has no ill will behind it but I do feel bad when I say it even when no one hears me say it..which is most of the time(in the car driving). good of you to apologize.

Big Dave - I can be deep at time, and reference the Hierarchy of Needs!

Chip - Thanks for the comment. I find I like these special people more than 99.9% of others, and I'm being serious.

ANON - The fact is that they are NOT retarded, we are. That was the point of the blog, and that is the reason I needed to fall on the sword.

How can you be retarded, when there is no gap between who you see yourself as, and what you want the world to see. We are the retarded ones, as we are all dishonest with ourselves to some extent.

I truly appreciate the lessons I continually learn from my special friends.

As a former special education teacher (for 17yrs.) I do understand what you are talking about. I always say that I learned more from my students, then they ever did from me.
I agree with Big Dave's C.S.Lewis quote...After finding your blog, I made my way over to Blog Talk Radio and listened to you last night. You continue to so eloquently put into words what the rest of us are thinking. Thanks!

The disabled are fighting against this creeping blindness quite literally "for their lives."

Hidden deep in H.R. 1 is an entire Tom Daschle National Health Care policy giving the government complete control not only over all your medical records and information, but control over your treatment. Practitioners who deviate from government regulatory standards (the standard is cost-effectiveness, btw) will be 'punished.'

To elaborate on that "for their lives" opening: If the government deems a treatment not cost-effective, you don't get it.

Of course, that may have miraculously been removed from the bill- but we'll never know, because the online version is not keyword-searchable (intentional) and NO version was released until late last night. BUT HEY LETS VOTE ON IT NOW. WHO CARES WHAT'S IN IT, RIGHT?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A68eWFAbClA

And I see in the future, with our new socialized medicine, it will be taken out of the hands of parents, these children will not be allowed to go to term regardless of how the parents feel, they just would cost too much and not be a productive member of society comrade. It is going to be bad times for the elderly and disabled. Worse then even now.

Scary things are coming in the medical field, it is already happening more then you will ever know. Great post as usual.

Dawn - Thanks for the comment, and the kind words!

Oppo - Yes, the Libs don't care about these people. We will make them care however.

Julie - I always appreciate your inputs. And yes we need to watch these Libs, as they are sneaky "you know whats".

Thanks for the retraction there. I had heard and stopped watching. I must say I appreciate the post today and will continue to check you out.

Kayla

Kevin,
We knew what you meant and all is forgiven.

You should have referred to Biden as the Drunk Uncle at the Bar-B-Que.

I listened to your radio blog program this morning. I will try to tune in when possible.

RonB

Kayla - No thanks necessary. One word of caution, don't expect me to be perfect. Diane, a friend wrote me a note, and brought it to my attention, nicely. Nobody wants to be judged too quickly. Hat tip to Diane, again, for being my friend!

I read your blog often because of Diane. Thank you for your words today, which made a big impact. I wish more people would understand like you. Your words "How can you be retarded, when there is no gap between who you see yourself as, and what you want the world to see." are so very true....Keep up the good blogging!

Stephanie - It was my pleasure, and Diane is the one that deserves thanking, and I did! :-)

Well said, sir.

Beautiful. :) And the pics are beautiful too.

Some of the sweetest and most wonderful people (and the least self-centered) I have met have been those with severe disabilities.

@Cargosquid - Thank you good Sir.

@Cappucino - I agree wholeheartedly.

Kevin, I don't remember the actual numbers, but I do know some percentages. With the advance of genetic testing, your fears are well justified. 2 out 3 fetuses that are tested and found to have Down Syndrome are terminated. Compared that to the overall average of 1 out of 4 for so called normal babies (which is still too high). That's 67% and with these new, improved, and more accurate tests for other traits, things are getting scary. What's worse, when you talk about the perfect child, pefection is all relative because Down's Syndrome isn't number 1 on the list of request to test for termination reasons (it's number 2). Obesity is number one at 70%. So if a child is so imperfect as being fat, and with the supermodel mentality, that can be just plain normal weight, I fear what the abortion rate is going be like when these tests can get to this level. I tought eugentics died with the third reich. People wonder why I'm seeing 1931 Germany right now?

Kevin, every time a liberal say we need to do anything for the children or the handicap (or anyone else for that matter), I run like Jessie Owens to humiliate these Nazi's because I know liberals hate children and abuse the handicap. Just look at our schools and hospitals to learn how compassionate liberals are. Given the rhetoric they're giving, they think we're either all stupid, or oppressed and need their compassion. No thanks, I'm good thank you.

Also, I'll add I've never met a Down's Syndrome person I never dislike. They truely show the meaning of enjoying the simple things in life and I'll wager you'll be hard press to find an example where one does a malevonent act on their own. I'll trust one of them in office before a liberal. After all, too many (normal?) people have an issue that Will Smith summarized better than any other: Too many people spend money they don't have for things they don't want to please people they don't like. I often wonder who really has the handicap.

Keep up the fight Kevin for not only the conservates need you, but those who can't fight for themselves against these evil bullies.

madmath1 - Great comment, and thanks for shedding even more light on this situation.

Sara Dillingham February 13
Kevin, what a beautiful post today. My eyes have recently been opened to what these unborn children face against the medical community. We need to fight for them! Thanks for bringing attention to the cause.

Lisa Marks Hunt February 13

Loved the blog today , it was especially great, although I enjoy them all !

Kevin, I know you know already how grateful I am for this post you made today, but I had to post it as well. You are a man of integrity. Many would have said a simply I am sorry and I won't do it again. Not you~ Thank you.

As for the rate of termination. I do have those facts. The rate is 90-94% of all woman who find out while they are pregnant will terminate their pregnancy when they find out thier child has Down syndrome. That rate is expected to go up, after a new test, that is being launched this June, that is less invasive. So yes, the Down syndrome community is in for the fight of their lives. Our family members are nearing extinction. Eugenics comes to mind. If anyone wants to help us get the word out there about this, you can pass along our site. http://idscforlife.wordpress.com/

Kevin, again, thank you for not only taking a word out of your vocabulary, but also for bringing attention to what is happening. God bless you. Diane

Thanks for the update Diane. My figures were from 1997 and now it's getting worse. To think, the people that do the least amount of damage to our society are the ones that are targeted the most. Shows how cowardly liberals are. Who knows what's next for eugenics. IQ tests?

Diane, again I thank YOU...

I have a niece, Annie; she is 21 years old & has Down’s. She has been through so many health related issues in her life yet she still loves everyone, always smiling, always happy & making sure everyone else is happy too. She is our Miss Congeniality/hostess at family gatherings. Making sure all have had enough to eat, drink, & are comfortable. She works at Goodwill & loves her job. If she is sick & can't go she will cry so hard it breaks your heart. I have learned many lessons from her & am grateful to God for every day she has been on this earth. She wasn't expected to live past 10 due to health issues as a child so our family & the world is blessed beyond words. Thank you for such an eloquent blog today. All I could picture while I read it was her beautiful, smiling face.

By the way, I wrote the other day & I read on here today...the best description I have heard of Biden is the "drunk uncle"!!

These children are gifts from God. They are here to teach us the meaning of joy and life. To deny them life is a sin.

No child is perfect, if they were then they would not be born. Every child is unique with special gifts.

Your retraction is a perfect example of the difference between a liberal and conservative. we take ownership, they hide it.

I know madmath1 already brought up the Nazi comparison but it is amazing at the similarities the democrats and the nazis have. I realize the nazis attacks are used up by both sides. Bush was worse than Hitler, they said. But these liberals are evil.

It's funny when you consider that most of these liberal politicians in favor of "extermination" of the "unclean" probably have some health issue that if they had their way, would have prevented them from being born.

@CFitz - Your niece is an inspiration, and her story is uplifting. Godspeed!

Great post. I typically await my opportunity to make sarcastic comments. There are none to make. My nephew has Down Syndrome and he has been an extra joy to my family.

Kevin - keep on keepin' on.

February 13, 2009, Sherry Lynn Richards said…

Great new blog. I use that term (retarded) all the time myself, and so do a lot of people I know. And I have a friend who's adopted son has down syndrome and some other health issues as well. And one of my best friends used to work with the special needs children at her local grade school in her town.

I don't mean to abuse the term--but it's understandable if someone gets upset when we do use the term. I call them the "special people" because they are very special really.

The special people are always beautiful on the inside and very precious. Usually happy and encouraging and sweet and kind. The best attributes humans can have. :)

Very nice writing--excellent!!!!!!!! A++ and a zillion stars! I'm passing your page on to my email list now. And I like the "Black Sphere"--that's really cool.
Have a good weekend.

If I may make a second comment, I believe each of us is a special needs individual. For example, I am learn-a-second-language impaired. My wife is push-in-the-breakfast-table-chair impaired. And then there is the President of the United States who is speaking-conherently-without-a-tele-prompter impaired.

Kevin, this is one of the most heartfelt posts you've written. I agree with you in every aspect. The special-needs people I know are some of the most genuine and wonderful people I will ever know. You are right that the person they see in the mirror and the person the world sees is the same. They have no pretenses,they are happier and, I believe in many ways, better off than the rest of us. Thanks for writing this.

The eugenicists (not sure if that is a word, oh well) a.k.a. liberals make me so mad I could kick something. Not very eloquent of me, I know. Our mom taught us to love and respect and to value all people, even to a degree liberals. Democrats, as you like to point out, have a history of not giving equality to all people, as exampled in slavery. These days it is unborn children, those with handicaps, and the elderly...who else??? What are we going to use to measure the potential of someone's quality of life? Letting the government into our healthcare and life is a terrible idea.
We are traveling down a scary road. Goodbye, America, land of the free, home of the brave! Hello, USSA, land of the "free" healthcare and ridiculousness.

My Bears showed up. What up ladies! There are many knucklehead liberals, but once they are fed, most will go back to just being dumb and stupid. And the Conservatives will be back, so hang in there.

Thanks for the inspirational rant. I have a niece who has down syndrome who graduated from high school last year after being kicked out of the special education program in 3rd grade. We are all delighted by her success. I too see less disabled children being born, and I applauded Gov. Palin on her decision to give birth to Trig. We are going to become a nation of 'perfect' looking humans with screwed up minds, hince the need for more money for special education programs.
Today, after I read about the passing of the 'package', I started having flash backs of the movie Demolition Man starring Wesley Snipes & Sty Stallion. Eventhough it was meant to be an action flick, the underlying theme was a world ran by a screwed up government, and the dissenters living underground. Does anyone else see the parallel between life imitating art...again?

Rose-Bud you are MENSA material!

J Todd Turner

Brother, I just had to take a moment to tell you how much I enjoy your new FB page. Your note "all jokes aside" made my wife cry. If you could, please add her as a friend...her name is Francisca Turner. Her link is on my profile page. Thank you for being a voice of reason in these days of insanity. God Bless!!

Great post, Kevin!! I have a 4 year old brother with Down syndrome.

The 90% abortion rate is so sad & sickening. To think someone would not want a child like my brother breaks my heart. We have all learned so much from him. Having him in our lives has changed us all for the BETTER.

~ Qadoshyah
Sister to 10 siblings including boy(DS)/girl twins - Feb. '05
Down Syndrome: What You CAN Do
www.gotdownsyndrome.net/Book/whatyoucandobook.html

Qadoshyah - Thanks for the comment, and let's thank your parents for allowing your little bro to be born! He is a beacon of light for many and may never know it.

If Barbara Boxer has her way, we will finally sign the UNCRC. This treaty has been floating around the capital since the Clinton years, but Clinton did not have the clout in the Senate to get it signed. This UN treaty removes parental rights from the parents and assigns them to the UN. It was sold as a way to protect children worldwide, but is being used in Belgium to kill over 400 babies born, with less than desirable physical characteristics, per year against their parents wishes.

If you combine the UNCRC with the new health bill that will become law tomorrow, these kids don't stand a chance.

Kevin - Obama should take some apology lessons from you. This was so much better than "I messed up." We all say things and then realize how they would sound to someone who has been labeled a certain way. And your point about needed to protect these most real of God's creatures is so true. Universal healthcare won't bother about servicing their needs, if they are even allowed to live. I bet many will be left in trash bins to die.

And boy, do I know a thing or two about masks - mine are gone too.

Diane

Thanks, Diane! Great comment, and I hope people really pay attention.

What Kevin...what...you have a conscience and morals? How dare you!! I have an adult disabled daughter and wince sometimes when she is called a "name" but I know the person usually does not mean it deep down. I agree with @Michael "Your retraction is a perfect example of the difference between a liberal and conservative. we take ownership, they hide it.
You done good!!

Kevin, I'm a first time visitor having linked over from the Patriot Room to read about Obama eating crow. I scrolled down to find this post. I have a son with DS and have read/heard the "R" word many times. Never ever read a retraction afterward.

You are obviously a guy with a lot of integrity, which is probably why you have such a devoted readership here. You can add myself to your readership, because your retraction went beyond an apology. It demonstrated not only acceptance of people with disabilities, but thankfulness for them.

Now it's my turn to be thankful for people like you. :)

Kelly

@Kelly - I have to say that your comment brought a few tears to this tough karateman's eyes! And to see your little cutie in the picture with you, well I just wanted to hang out with him, and feel his joy.

I am so glad to have you read my blog! Please help me to continue to grow, as I am committed to my words, and to helping people.

God bless you!

I just found your blog today....recommended by a friend. I have a Down's son, so the tag caught my attention....some people are really sensitive, and some aren't. My son is 19 now, and when he was much younger, I actually got called on the carpet for saying Down's son....puts the diagnosis before the child. I'm not even sensitive to the word retard....it's become a slag word that doesn't mean what it used to...I'm of the generation that had to fight the word mongoloid. All this politically correctness is gonna destroy America. I try to be sensitive to those who haven't grown past it though. My David is an angel and we all have labels....I even joke about my own epilepsy....it doesn't effect my intelligence, or my ability to fight for my country. Please visit my blog at loriann12.blogspot.com