AAPD Outraged by Delegate Marshall's Comments

From AAPD (2.23.10)

AAPD’s Statement on VA Delegate Robert Marshall’s Remarks About People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, DC – February 23, 2010 – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization, issued a statement Tuesday in response to Virginia Delegate Robert G. Marshall’s remarks last week suggesting that women who have had abortions are punished later with children with disabilities.

“These outrageous comments not only attack us as people with disabilities, but our families as well. In all my years of public service, I have never heard anything so hurtful,” said Tony Coelho, AAPD’s board chair, former House Majority Whip and the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“Even as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Marshall’s remarks are a reminder of that we still have a long way to go in fighting for our civil rights,” said Andrew Imparato, AAPD’s President and CEO.

For additional information about AAPD, visit our Web site at www.AAPD.com

Comments

[Dee Wheat]

Frankly, if this is what christianity teaches, I'll pass, thank you. Just another reason to shake my head and roll away from the church doors as quickly as possible.

[Terri Schonfeld]

For Robert Marshall to suggest that "women are punished for having abortions by having children with disabilities" is the most ignorant, demeaning and arrogant statement I have heard in many years. As a mother to a child with Williams Syndrome with an Intellectual Disability (aka M.Retardation) and as a devout CHRISTIAN, I am saddened that he would use his political forum to offend those with disabilities and their mothers. I would encourage him to read James 3:17 "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate,submissive, FULL OF MERCY and good fruit, IMPARTIAL and sincere". We can only pray that our nation's sees our children through God's eyes! Terri Schonfeld

[Debbie Jordan]

Thanks for alerting members of the disabled community to news that affects us! I posted a response to Delegate Marshall's horrendous comments on my Examiner.com page as Phoenix Progressive Examiner, in an article entitled: "VA claims disabled kids punishment from God":

http://tinyurl.com/ylcdnkr

Love and peace,
Debbie Jordan

www.imaginetheworldatpeace.com

Phoenix Progressive Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-1892-Phoenix-Progressive-Examiner

Author: THE WORLD I IMAGINE: A creative manual for ending poverty and building peace (Outskirts Press) www.outskirtspress.com/theworldiimagine

Author: LION’S PRIDE (Outskirts Press) www.outskirtspress.com/lionspride

[Nicole]

In response to the comment by Dee Wheat, no this is not what Christianity teaches. I don't know if Mr. Marshall considers himself a "religious" man, but true Christianity is having a relationship with God. And God is love. A true Christian could never make such condemning, hateful remarks. Please don't let his ignorance cloud your view of Christianity or God's goodness.

[Ric]

First off, please read what he said - "when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,". This is more of a medical assertion (which could be documented easily enough) not a statement about God. Also, quoting the Old Testament as a foundation for something like this is not only foolhardy, but shows a lack of understanding. Jumping to interpret his intentions and coming up with a sound bite to incite, is just as "evil" as speaking without thinking. Too many of today's politicians (R, D and I)are abandoning thought for self promotion. I absolutely agree that a true Christian should never make such remarks as were reported, but before we toss this guy to the wolves, please ascertain what was said, not reported. We can no longer rely on ANY one for accurate news reporting.

[Karen Duncanwood]

Nicole,
I saw the Virginian say what he is reported to say on TV. Please don't avoid the truth. The man is a bigot. If you want to try to change him, please do so. And if you want to use Christianity to try to do so, please do. For me, I believe bigots should not be in office and will act accordingly. My son will be very hurt, insulted, and angry at this comments, as am I, and his whole extended family. I have never had an abortion, Mr. Bigot.
But I do have a wonderful son who is 34 and travels all over the country (with CP) to speak for respect for people with disabilities and show his DVD of his wonderful life. Perhaps you should see it. You might learn something. Minds, like parachutes work best when they are open. Come out of the Dark Ages!

[John E. Smith]

This so-called Christian doesn't seem to have read The New Testament which is very clear that people with disabilities were born to show the glory of God. For example, read Jesus' words giving the reason for blindness in John Chapter 9, verses 1 through 3. Jesus says "neither the parents or the child, who is blind,sinned, but he (person with blindness) was born to show God's glory." Marshall is one of the "blind leading the blind" and doesn't know his own hypocrisy.

[gucci replica]

I gave my site a few examples below.
If you appreciate my comments in you enter
I’ll see if I can try to use some of this information for my own blog. Thanks!