Why Donald Trump Poses Risks for Individuals with Special Needs

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Recently, Donald Trump mocked his rival, Governor Jake Collins, for his eating habits, saying, “This guy takes a pancake and shoves it in his mouth. It’s disgusting. Do you want this guy for your president?” accompanied by a smirk.

When my 13-year-old makes fun of his younger brother, I remind him that such behavior doesn’t reflect well on him—definitely not what we’d expect from a leader. Thankfully, my son isn’t running for president yet, although I have my work cut out for me before that day comes.

As I dive deeper into motherhood, the saying “It takes a village…” resonates more than ever. Moms like me rely on a network of family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and even public figures to help nurture our children.

Some days, we need assistance getting them from one place to another. Every day, we strive to shape their character, instill values, and reinforce right from wrong. We hope they encounter individuals who are kind and compassionate. We do our best to show them that their words and actions matter.

As a mother of three boys, I often find myself breaking up disputes and guiding their interactions. An average afternoon might involve me saying, “Don’t touch him! I don’t care what he called you. You can’t use that language!” I constantly remind them that words matter.

Lately, two words that have been tossed around are “stupid” and the R-word. I admit I used them in my own childhood squabbles, but I’ve since learned that names can harm just as much as physical blows.

Now, I have a family that includes my three boys and a 14-year-old daughter, Clara, who has autism. I strive to teach my sons that, in another time, Clara would have been labeled with the R-word and marginalized by society. Sadly, with some of the rhetoric we hear today, I wonder if that time is not so distant.

This election cycle has captured my sons’ attention. Initially, I thought it was fantastic—my fourth grader is learning about the American Revolution in school and now can see history unfold live. But as much as I want them to engage with today’s politics, I find myself struggling to keep them from tuning out. I do enough refereeing in our home; I can’t be a referee for Donald Trump too!

As I try to maintain my sanity while discussing the headlines and sound bites, I often turn to redirection, a classic mom tactic. I’ve surrendered control of the remote to my 8-year-old, who is passionate about sports.

In fact, examples of good sportsmanship and class seem to be more prevalent on sports channels than on regular news. Just a few weeks ago, I was grateful to watch professional golfer Sam Reed share how his sister with developmental disabilities keeps him grounded, reminding him of what truly matters. And shortly thereafter, despite facing a tough loss, he displayed incredible grace and sportsmanship.

Guys, remember—words matter.