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Monday 3 November 2008

Info Post
Tierney Temple Fairchild writes in the Washington Post about her ten-year-old daughter and what it means to her to "choose life":
I had a choice, and I chose life. Does that make me pro-choice or pro-life? Our political parties tell us we can't have it both ways. If I am pro-choice, then I must be for abortion. If I am pro-life, I may be lauded for a heroic choice when in fact none existed.
She continues:

In this economy, I must reflect on the circumstances that allowed us to make ordinary what some view as heroic. We were fortunate to have a health-care plan that covered Naia's medical bills. We were fortunate to have enough money to cover three weekly therapies carrying co-pays of $10 each. We were fortunate to have the educational backgrounds necessary to read research and advocate inclusive education for Naia. We were fortunate to have the lessons of discrimination and perseverance from another choice some also label heroic, interracial marriage.

Now, I look at my budding 10-year-old, and I see her beauty, poise and humor, not her disability. What I have learned is that we are not exceptionally burdened. Naia has some novel developmental and social challenges. Nevertheless, we and others are often struck by how typical she is, integrating with peers, reading on grade level and riding horses. All choices may not have the same result, but it is crucial that we all have the opportunity to make our own decisions.

If it's our choices that define us, choices that allow us to face down fears and lead us to our greatest achievements, what might come from taking those choices away?

Fairchild references Sarah Palin and her infant son Trig, but doesn't specifically mention this fact: Palin doesn't believe in allowing women this choice and neither does John McCain and the Republican party.

Oh happy day, tomorrow!

Vote if you haven't already.

h/t Patricia E. Bauer

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