Working in politics while raising special-needs child

Can a mother serve effectively in political office when her child has special needs? Many people might say, "Of course she can." But other parents say raising a special-needs child is like a full time job.

Ever since Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain's running mate, she's been the focus of conversation all over the TV networks. One main topic is whether the job of vice president will be too much to handle while raising a baby with Down syndrome.

CNN Anchor John Roberts once said, "Children with Down syndrome require an awful lot of attention. The role of vice president, it seems to me, would take up an awful lot of her time."

So, let's talk about it. How hard will it be? As a father of three, I think raising any child while working in politics would be tough enough.

Enid Mickelsen, whom you know better as Enid Greene, said, "It will be easier for Sarah Palin to be a good mother as vice president and married to a supportive husband than it is for any single mom in the state of Utah."

But, it won't be a walk in the park. Mickelsen is the Republican National Committee Woman for the state of Utah. She had a baby while serving as a congresswoman. She says Palin will have to make sure people know she's in charge of her office.

"There were days where either Congress was not in session, or I knew I had a light schedule, where I would bring her, and anyone who had a problem with that, well, they didn't need to come see me," she said.

But with Down syndrome, there are a whole host of physical problems that come with it.

Democrat Trisha Beck said, "Heart defects. Our son was born with many other anomalies that required numerous surgeries."

Beck worked on the Utah State Legislature, but it was years after her son, Richard, was born with Down syndrome. At that time she was working as a travel agent.

"By the time the day ended, I felt like I put in full-time," she said.

In the end, Beck decided to quit her job, and even though she wouldn't change anything, she says raising her special needs child was work enough.

If she had to juggle politics and raising Richard, would she have been able to do it?

"I think it would have been very difficult for me to have been able to be a legislator at the same time as raising a (baby) with special needs," she said.

But, neither Trisha Beck nor Enid Mickelsen wants to say that it would be impossible for any woman to hold any political position while raising a baby with Down syndrome. Beck is just describing what her situation was.

E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com

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