My friend across the street with cerebral palsy. We grew up together - our mom's were best friends.

I used to think her mom was really mean. We were laying on the floor watching TV, and her mother told her she couldn't watch TV until she cleaned her room by herself. It must have taken her 30 minutes just to make it to a standing position on her crutches.

She endured numerous painful surgeries on her legs, but she was never able to walk without crutches. Kids in the neighborhood used to run up behind her and kick them out, then laugh when she fell. My other friend and I began serving as her bodyguards.

When she was born, doctors told her mother to place her in an institution and forget about her. Her mother wasn't mean - she just had a fierce love for her daughter. She fought tooth and nail to get her into a public school, and taught her daughter to be independent. The Catholic school wouldn't take her because they said it would be too disturbing for the other students.

Our parents are gone now. My friend lives in that home independently, drives a car with hand controls, and has a full life. She even teaches at the Catholic school that wouldn't take her as a student.

The tables have turned a bit in our relationship now that I'm sick. She's the one who helps ME now because I can't drive. She says she'll help me all she can, but if I ever feel faint I'm on my own. She tells me to keep my paws off her crutches, lol.