[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1780-E1781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SISTERLY LOVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 1998

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, as all of us know, family is the center of 
American life and I want to share with my colleagues an article which 
exemplifies the strong family ties found among our healthiest and 
happiest of families. The article was written by Courtney Toft about 
her sister, Nicole, who has Rett syndrome. The affection and devotion 
with which she writes permeates each word and demonstrates the 
unconditional love both girls have for one another. The close 
relationship between Courtney and Nicole is a direct reflection of the 
family life created by their mother, Carol Toft, who works in my 
District Office in Lake Villa, Illinois. Knowing of Carol's commitment 
and love for her family, my heart was touched by Courtney's comments 
about her sister and I simply wanted my colleagues to have an 
opportunity to read her article as it appeared in the September 1998 
issue of the Rett Syndrome Association of Illinois Newsletter.

                               Sisterhood

                      (By Courtney Toft (age 16))

       My sister, Nicole, turned nineteen on August 3. Her 
     personality has changed throughout the years, but she has 
     always kept the sparkling eyes and the smile that lights up 
     the room. People always say, ``I think she understands!'' I 
     know she understands! She knows so much more than we give her 
     credit for. She is just like every single one of us except 
     she can't express her feelings in words like the rest of us 
     can. Having a sister with Rett syndrome has taught me so 
     much. If Nicole had been ``normal'' our family would have had 
     a different outlook on life.
       Nicole has always been there for me. She listens to my 
     deepest secrets and doesn't tell a soul. She laughs at all my 
     jokes even if they are not funny and basically puts up with 
     all my annoying habits. Of course, Nicole has her bad habits 
     that the rest of the

[[Page E1781]]

     household has to put up with. Not that I'm complaining, but 
     nineteen years of the Muppets and Sesame Street can be a 
     little extreme. I think Nicole has been a blessing to our 
     entire family. I don't know what we would have done without 
     her.
       There are so many stories to tell, but most of them are the 
     ones that only a mother, or sister, could tolerate. Whenever 
     you have a family with two girls close in age, there is 
     competition. You would think that with us there wouldn't be 
     any. Big mistake. Nicole has a boyfriend named Jason (cute 
     couple!). I have a boyfriend named Jeff (cuter couple!) 
     Nicole figures she should have both guys so she hits on mine. 
     The sad part is, my boyfriend falls for her mischievous ways. 
     Thinking from her point of view, I guess we really don't 
     compete. She has everyone wrapped around her finger, and I 
     think she knows it, too.
       I might have missed out on some things related to 
     sisterhood, like the part where Nicole was supposed to break 
     Mom in to parenting a teenager. You know, all the bad habits: 
     boyfriends, curfews, driving, and all the other things that 
     every parent looks forward to. Things I haven't missed 
     include time together styling her hair, polishing her nails, 
     and going shopping. We recently had our first adventure 
     together where she and I picked out some really cool clothes 
     for her. Her eyes and smile told me that she thought it was 
     the coolest thing!
       We've grown up not only physically, but emotionally. We've 
     developed an admiration for one another, and I'm very lucky 
     to have a sister like her.

     

                          ____________________