A Down syndrome child is very strong-willed. They had to hold her down to get it (blood). There were two nurses in there, and I was standing in the hallway crying.

I’ve kept it inside this long.
I can do it for a lot longer.
Because I’m strong. Because I’m Isis Blake, and she might not be pretty, or sweet, or well-mannered, but she’s very, very strong.

This world is for those who are born to conquer it, Not for those who dream that are able to conquer it, even if they're right.

The only thing that ever scared him was finding out there was something he couldn't do, so he damn well made sure there was anything he couldn't.

When we are struck at without reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should - so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.

Since Mom wasn't exactly the most useful person in the world, one lesson I learned at an early age was how to get things done, and this was a source of both amazement and concern for Mom, who considered my behavior unladylike but also counted on me. "I never knew a girl to have such gumption," she'd say. "But I'm not too sure it's a good thing.