Palin Cashes-in AGAIN on Her Special Needs

For most families, the addition of a child with “special needs,” represents a huge financial burden. If you are a family with a special needs child in Alaska the financial drain might be even bigger than in other states. Before resigning as Governor, Sarah Palin turned down $170 million of federal stimulus money for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she was “shocked and very disappointed” that Palin would reject money that would have been used for job preservation, teacher training, and helping kids who need it.

Remember when Palin said:

“I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”

Maybe she meant that she would only be a “friend” to special needs families if she were elected Vice President? Maybe she meant that the “friend” of those families in the White House would be Trig?

From the moment Sarah Palin was introduced on the national scene she has used Trig as a prop or trophy. “Trig’s been front-and-centre in her quest for power, dragged around at all hours and to all places, wielded as a weapon in the culture wars, cited as evidence of Palin’s conservativebona fides, used by her running mate John McCain to showcase her supposed expertise on special needs children (although he constantly refers to autism and not Down syndrome), and served up as a prop in one photo opportunity after another. “  Parents of Down syndrome children have objected to the way that Palin treats Trig:

“exposing Trig to who-knows-what, all the things to which Down syndrome babies with their fragile immune systems are especially vulnerable….

“The whole thing is an insult. She is using him as a tool.”

“I know I’m not the only special needs parent who has been disgusted by the manner in which Palin’s infant son has been passed around as a political prop on the campaign trail.

In previous posts I have specifically addressed the issue of Palin’s use and abuse of families with “special needs.”  I have previously reported that Palin had not donated to the National Down Syndrome Society.  Once again, Palin is using her connection to Trig for personal financial gain.

Sarah Palin has aligned herself with the “Exceptional Foundation of Baldwin County, of Point Clear, Alabama. Point Clear has a population of 1876 people.  The Exceptional Foundation describes itself as:

“ The Exceptional Foundation is a new 501(c)3 serving individuals from age five through adulthood. With your support, The Exceptional Foundation will begin providing programs and services starting in the Fall of 2011.

“There is much work to be done and many funds to be raised before we open our doors for these joyful, special needs people. “

“…and hope to have a program to help mentally and physically challenged Baldwin County residents running by September, group organizers said.”

Given the fact that the “foundation” was so new and is not providing any services at the moment I called the “Exceptional Foundation” to find out more. The number listed for the foundation is 251-990-2271. When a woman answered the phone she answered by saying “Callahan and Associates.” Robert Callahan is the organizer of the Exceptional Foundation.. When I asked to get a copy of the “Foundation’s” 501 (c) 3 form, to confirm that the organization has been approved by the IRS as a charitable foundation, she advised me that the application is still “pending.”

I was able to confirm from the woman who answered the phone at Callahan and Associates that Sarah Palin would be paid for her appearance, but the amount was confidential. I wonder if Palin will be getting paid a percentage of the take? I wonder if the Exceptional Foundation will be approved as a non-profit? If not I guess Mr. Callahan will just have to keep any money raised at this event. If they are approved as a non-profit, I wonder what salary would be paid to Mr. Callahan? Certainly we know from documents of the Candie’s Foundation (the one Bristol works for) that some people who work for charitable foundations can make millions of dollars in salary, which is treated as an expense to the charitable foundation. For example, here is the “reportable compensation from related organizations” listed for the Candie’s Foundation:

Neil Cole,President/Founder $9,309,609.00

Warren Clamen, CFO $1,735,494.

Andrew Tarshis General Counsel $1,735,494

Whether the Exception Foundation is approved as a non-profit or not, it would appear that Sarah Palin and Mr. Callahan will have their “special needs” satisfied. The only question is whether the “SPECIAL NEEDS” of any children in Point Clear will be met.