Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, often addressed and championed special needs children during her presidential campaign, as she has personal experience with it. Her son, Trig, was born with the neurological disorder, Down syndrome. Through parenting and advocacy she says, “what’s been confirmed in me is every [person] has something to contribute to the world, if we give them that chance.” As Governor of Alaska, “[she] succeeded in securing additional funding and assistance for students with special needs.”
In 2010, she publicly chastised Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane for an episode in which, “Chris Griffin, the show’s awkward teenager, goes on a date with Ellen, a girl with Down syndrome… [whose] mom is the former governor of Alaska.” (A scene that features Stewie singing a song about “Down Syndrome girl,” as he continually calls her, is particularly offensive.) Obviously, and by MacFarlane’s own admission, the governor Ellen is referring to is Palin. The actress who provided the voiceover, who has Down Syndrome herself, said Palin should have a sense of humor. In response, Palin said “The world is full of cruel, cold-hearted people who would do such a thing.” (My view is that someone with a neurological disorder can make fun of themselves, but if someone else makes fun of that person, it’s a completely different story.)