There's an email that floats around, especially among those of us who have children or siblings or other loved ones with mental disabilities. It is sweet and endearing and describes an adult woman's love for her brother. Early on, she says his mental age is 8.

She goes on to ...

I drive to the Emergency Room with William. I know the route now, due to Penny's ER visit and subsequent hospital stay last spring, so I no longer have to worry about the unmarked roads and whether I'll make a wrong turn in the "bad" part of Trenton.

I drive past housing projects. ...

She meant well when she asked. "How high-functioning is your daughter?"

I didn't think much of it as I replied, "Oh, she's very high-functioning. Her intelligence is at an age-appropriate level. The developmental delays she experiences are related to motor skills. She can't jump ...