Sarah Palin to Help Raise Autism Awareness

Over 12,000 people with autism and related disorders and their families are expected to turn out at Manhattanville College in New York today to participate in a two-mile walk around campus. The event, in its eight year, is organized by the Westchester-Fairfield chapter of Autism Speaks, one of the country's largest autism advocacy groups. But there is one expected guest who won't blend into the large crowd. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin plans to walk along with her sister, Heather Bruce. Bruce's son Karcher has autism. A spokesperson for Autism Speaks says they are "fortunate" to have the Governor show up for the cause.

During the 2008 election , when Governor Palin ran as the Vice Presidential nominee on the GOP's presidential ticket, she pledged her support for families with special needs,

"Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love. To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

Even though she didn't make it to the White House, the Governor, whose youngest son has Down Syndrome, has upheld her promise by donating her time to special needs causes such as the Special Olympics. Palin's spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton said about the Autism walk,

"This is just a fantastic opportunity to give back to another community and another state that has been good to her."

The Governor and her family have a few other plans for their time spent in New York. On Saturday, more than 20,000 people came out to see Governor Palin in Auburn, New York, where she helped local officials celebrate Founder's Day and raise money for a museum dedicated to the life of William Seward. Seward was the Secretary of State who helped make Alaska the 49th state. Later this evening, she will receive an award from the Independent Group Home Living Foundation on Long Island. The non-profit group provides services and support for people with developmental disabilities.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Advocate for Special Needs

With President Barack Obama's "Special Olympics" joke being one of the most talked about stories this week, it's easy to overlook the many politicians in Washington D.C. who are making a positive impact on people with disabilities and special needs. One of those politicians is Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. McMorris Rodgers, who serves Washington's 5th Congressional District, is the most senior ranking Republican woman in Congress and serves as Vice-Chair of the House Republican Conference. In 2007, she and her husband Brian Rodgers gave birth to a son, Cole. Cole was born with Down Syndrome.

McMorris Rodgers has said that finding out her son would be born with Down Syndrome "was a shock at first" but she was overwhelmed by how many people reached out to share their own stories with her, when she announce the news. In a recent interview, the Congresswoman said,

As word spread, I was overwhelmed with letters and email from people all over the country wanting to share their story with me. They wanted me to know I wasn't alone and that my baby was going to have a very positive and unique impact on my life. I received hundreds, perhaps over a thousand of those stories. To this day, I have (all the stories) kept in a binder, and they are a special source of encouragement.

Inspiration from these families and her own experience set McMorris Rodgers into action. Last year, along with a bi-partisan group of members of Congress, McMorris Rodgers created the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus to help other families who are dealing with the condition. In a press release, the Congresswoman said she wanted her own son to have every opportunity to reach his full potential and believed the Caucus would help other families do just that.

Some of the goals of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus include promoting and funding research, promoting inclusiveness for people with Down Syndrome, advocating for their rights, and raising expectations to improve education. Recently, McMorris Rodgers spoke at the Down Syndrome AIA Conference in Washington DC where she encourage families with members who have Down Syndrome to contact their representatives and share their personal stories and needs. You can learn more about Congresswoman's crusade at her personal website: Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers : Down Syndrome or by watching this video featuring McMorris Rodgers and her adorable son, Cole!