Comments on: Can People with Down syndrome Vote?

By: kittymama

kittymama — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:39:47 +0000

There are plenty of non-DS people who vote for whom their parent(s) tell them to. Uninformed voters are a product of the system, not a trait of the voters. And yes, having to put a fine point on how well-informed they’d have to be is far, far worse than any result of having everybody vote.

But you know what a voting-rights fanatic I am . . .

By: amysilverman

amysilverman — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:03:43 +0000

ok, sari, you are me! that’s something i would do, wonder about that. i’m so glad this generated discussion and that you joined in AND that we are going to the ARC thanksgiving! i’m pretty darn hard to offend — i’m usually busy inadvertantly offending someone else. i still feel guilty for asking the question but i’m glad i did.

By: sari

sari — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:10:33 +0000

and why does this say 3:09 AM? It’s 8:10. Another ramble.

By: sari

sari — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:09:37 +0000

I have to say, I came back to look at this again and I noticed you said it was the WORST question you’ve been asked. I hope it didn’t appear as if I was wondering the answer to that question, or that question itself. I was just wondering if the boy at the store himself had voted or not.

I’ve been around a lot of people with disabilities and I just see the potential for problems in that some parents often try to think for them “in their best interests” of course.

Off to blather myself into another corner….

By: sari

sari — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:27:48 +0000

It’s funny you write about this…I was just thinking about this. I used to work at the local recreation center for people with developmental disabilities (before #3 was born, you know what it is) and I know that there are a lot of people there who would have no idea what they were doing if they were able to vote. I know they would be voting whatever their parents told them to vote, would they understand or have their own thoughts? Yet, also, many people there would, so definitely they should be able to vote. You can’t deny them that. I think it’s up to the parents to be responsible and not take advantage of their children’s right to vote, whatever their age.

What got me thinking about this was I was at the grocery store, and our bagger and I had a terrific conversation, covering everything from our local independent bookstore (which was on one of my brought shopping bags) to Carlos Santana’s amazing skills. This kid was terrific – and yes, DD. But he had many well informed opinions and I was glad he shared them. Many people think that if a person has some disability they can barely tie their shoes and it bugs the crap out of me that many people are so dismissive. I started wondering if he was going to vote. I think I’m going to go ask him if he did, I would like to hear about it from him.

By: maya

maya — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:54:28 +0000

And I forgot to mention that your girls are beautiful. I know everyone says that but I mean it! And I never knew that about the curly hair…I have curly hair and strangely both my kids have straight hair (even the one without Ds). Hmm.

By: maya

maya — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:40:26 +0000

Hi Amy,
I just discovered your blog by way of Cate at I Don’t Know What to Say and have read as much as I could sneak in today. I just wanted to say I really enjoy your writing. I wondered aloud if people with Ds could vote and Cate sent me your way…interesting (I have two kids, Leo, 4 (with Ds) and Eleanor is 15 months). And as for the rest of your writing, you’ve brought me to tears sitting here at my desk at work. Your pieces on austin mama were particularly moving, especially the one about how your daughters’ relationship. I look forward to reading more and am excited about having discovered a new blog. All the best to you.

By: R Polk

R Polk — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:05:33 +0000

Ryan lives with his Republican mother, who strongly influences all within her sphere. “I can’t Dad, I don’t want to make Mom mad.”

Ryan votes, surely Republican, but has been instructed not to divulge; I tell myself I don’t want to know.

Curiously, Ryan’s brother & sister-in-love are black & white Christians*, yet his other brother can think in shades of gray.

In contrast, I am a patriot, MoveOn host, original Obama fan. Our church, not unlike Obama’s liberal denomination, annually celebrates the Sabbath with our brothers & sisters at our local synagogue, then vice versa on Sunday. We’re all gonna be surprised by who we meet in Heaven. I won’t be surprised whose NOT there, but I digress.

This kind of gut-level difference between spouses undid our multi- decade “marriage”. (quotes = cynical) I could go on, but its a story we’ve all heard. Sigh.

I wonder how couples like James Carville / Mary Matalin or the Schwarzeneggers make things work. Do they thrive on conflict?

The following astute observation should have helped me understand, but it only confounds:

*WHAT MAKES PEOPLE VOTE REPUBLICAN? http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt08/haidt08_index.html

Also curious, this particular topic has drawn more response than usual. Once again, you have touched us.

By: Ecki

Ecki — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:40:20 +0000

If that person can make a decision, there’s no reason not to. I can see where there is a potential for abuse, but I think the right to vote is more important.

If you haven’t checked out Dan Drinker (a young man with DS, his brother is making a documentary about his life) you can see why he is voting and voting for Obama for that matter:

http://dandrinker.blogspot.com/

By: Rickismom

Rickismom — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:28:15 +0000

They can vote, and do.

And why not? Believe me, that most young adults with Down syndrome are smart enough to make a choice. (especially since I suspect that half of the voters are voting for an image, not issues.). What are you going to do about an older parent who is beginning to get senile? Forgetful? Where do you draw the line?