Whether I am in the living room, kitchen, bathroom or my room, whenever I hear a step then a stomp, a step then a stomp, I know my sister has come back from one of her walks all around Canyon.

My older sister, Gayle, age 21, is labeled as mentally disabled because she only has the right side of her brain. As a result she is half blind in each eye, has no use of her right hand, walks with a heavy step on her right leg, has no concept of time and has the maturity and math skills of a third grader.  But my sister has something I do not see many other places, innocence and a million dollar smile.

I find myself on the defense for my sister anytime she meets someone new. I worry people will not see the extremely advanced and loving sister I have seen every day of my life. My sister does not even have to be with me for me to feel like I have to defend her. Often in Mrs. Crosswhite’s English discussions topics of the mind of man arise and lead to students debating how man is evil and will never truly accept those who are not “normal.” To quote the novella “Heart of Darkness,” “the mind of man is capable of anything,” which leads me to believe that man can and does love persons for who they truthfully are. How else would the world still exist and progress if man did not love others as their imperfect selves?

My sister is different, and I am keenly aware of that fact. I do not expect others to totally understand her or completely accept her in a first encounter, but my charge is to try. Love is not an emotion requiring no energy; it takes practice. If man can use his mind to change the world, man can change his mind.