I grew up alongside my intellectually and physically disabled brother, Michael. In some ways, he was like any other family member. We traveled as a family to Hawaii on vacations, went to restaurants for special occasions, and wandered around nearby shopping malls over weekends. People would often gawk at Michael when he made sounds or stumbled with his walking. My reflexive response as his protective younger sister was to stare right back at them intensely, which proved quite effective in lessening the unwanted attention. These early experiences forged a sort of ride-or-die relationship, and my brother and I found ourselves inextricably committed to ride out life’s challenges together, whatever the outcome and wherever that journey might take us.