Eva Longoria Champions The Disabled

Eva Longoria Champions The Disabled
February 26, 2006, 10:55:29

London, Feb 26 Eva Longoria, star of the hit TV show "Desperate Housewives"
has paid tribute to her sister Elizabeth who was born with Down Syndrome.

Longoria insists her 37-year-old sibling has always been an inspiration. She
is now keen to redress people's perceptions of the mentally disabled.

Says Longoria: "I've met so many amazing people but no one comes close to my
own sister. She is and always has been the brightest light of my family's
life. As children we always knew that someone else came first because she
had special needs, and we were taught from when we were babies to respect
and understand that.

"People think that if you are mentally retarded then it's a great shame and
you can't play any part in life. I would like to educate people because that
just isn't true. It is never about what Elizabeth can't do, it is about what
she can do."

Gwen...

My son goes to a school for children with special needs. I've always said
that being immersed in that environment has done more for me than it has for
him. At the risk of sounding goofy it really has made me a better person.
I am no longer "uncomfortable" around people with disabilities and further
there's something lovely about them. I think maybe it's a lack of
understanding or ability to "conform" to societal standards. When they do
something or accomplish something their joy is something to see. Their
emotions are right out there so to speak.