Having a special needs child is something that no one is immune to. It happens every day, all around the globe. Rich people, poor people and everyone in between. Even celebrities.
Some would call it a Hollywood “trend.” Celebrities shouting from the rooftops about how they are raising a special needs child. Yet, can this really be viewed as a trend? Or is it simply a matter of raising awareness?
Celebrities like Jenny McCarthy have gotten plenty of guff for what some people claim is nothing short of exploitation when it comes to sounding off about her autistic son. Some wonder if she used to him resurrect her stalling career or that her former beau, Jim Carrey.
Though it may be tempting to point fingers and accuse a celebrity of the “any press is good press” mantra, nobody can deny the fact that McCarthy has tirelessly donated her time and resources to raise autism awareness via several charities and events, including the Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey Autism Organization – Generation Rescue.
In another example, celebrity/politician/author, ex-Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, was accused of using her son Trig, who suffers from Down syndrome, as a campaign ploy and a push for her stance on Right to Life issues. While Ms. Palin vehemently denies doing anything other than sharing her “colorful” family with the nation, the rest of the country couldn’t help but take notice of Down syndrome issues, which spawned a resurgence in educating later-in-life mothers about the risks involved in having babies after age 35.
While having a special needs child is no easy road to travel and there is no safe online pharmacy to go to and make it all “go away” there is much to be said for those who are brave enough to share their “normal-to-them” children with the rest of society. Celebrities or otherwise. Because sharing these special, wonderful gifts of God raises awareness on several levels, which often translates into raising money and resources for the cause. And that, any way you slice it, can only be a good thing!
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Liberty Kontranowski is a freelance writer with hundreds of articles published online and in print covering topics like health, sex, celebrities, beauty and more. She is part of the Viamedic writing team, providing top-quality articles to safe and secure online pharmacies like Viamedic.com.
3 comments:
I find McCarthy and Palin disturbing for reasons other than having children in the spotlight. McCarthy because she has an almost cult like following on dangerous autism treatments like chelation with false beliefs in what causes autism.
Palin, I don't like her politically, but it annoys me she is so "in" the special needs community yet in a speech with McCain failed to mention Down Syndrome and Autism are not the same condition, which he mistakenly said several times. Yea, that's not spreading much awareness...
I hope that what Jenny was truly spreading the word to educate people from her perspective, but who can really know for sure?
Well, since she has now admitted she doesn't think her son had autism, maybe she will back off now. I think she did more harm than good to the cause.
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