At almost 57 years old, I don't think I've ever told my parents this, but it's true. They are 86 and 88 years old, and they have been role models to so many people - including all of us "kids" but to many, many others as well. And my sister, Judy, is a hero beyond measure. She is better equipped than any of us to deal with life's circumstances, even more than my parents.
When they learned that Judy was "mentally retarded" and that she had Downs Syndrome, they began a life-long passion to improve the circumstances of not only their daughter, but all others in that situation. My parents were forerunners in the field, so to speak. My mom was an avid parent advocate and mentor to so many other parents who found themselves with a disabled child; my father gave his time, money, expertise, and soul to improving the centers where Judy went to school, work, and play. As parents, of course they wanted the best for their children in all ways, but Judy was/is special in more ways than I can count.
Together, my parents spoke, attended, gave, debated, founded, purchased, drove, donated, fretted, loved whatever they could for or to causes on behalf of the educationally, mentally and physically challenged - and as a result, they have been rewarded with a daughter who understands more and better what is happening in her world. Judy is better equipped than all of us to deal with our mother's Alzheimer's. Judy has been surrounded by people all her life whose disabilities are greater than her own. Judy has never felt disabled - because she isn't. She may not be able to drive a car or pay her own bills, but she understands the human spirit better than all of us.
I love them all more than I can say. My Judy, my Mom, my Dad - they are my reason for living. They give me strength beyond measure. They make me want to be a better person. What better reasons to idolize them and call them heroes?
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