In addition, I am a member of the Special Olympics Board of Directors. And furthermore, I have served the State of California in a number of capacities, including a term as Chair of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. I also served as a member of the Special Education Commission for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Senator, the arrival of a new child in a family is always a highly emotional and tumultuous time. Ninety-three percent of the time is a period of enormous joy.
Most celebrities cite the birth of their child as the happiest event of their lives.
As you can only imagine, the birth of a child with mental retardation, is probably one of the most difficult times a family can endure. The parents' dreams are shattered in a second. Your whole world is turned upside down. Sometimes as in the case with Down syndrome, it is apparent right away, sometimes with other disabilities, it slowly becomes apparent as a child starts in school. Families and their children with mental retardation fight an uphill battle all of the way.