It's hard for me to believe that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a reality show. It's so different from most reality shows, both in its format and its mission -- to help people who really deserve it. Not someone who won a bunch of challenges or lost a bunch of weight. Really deserving people, like the family featured in tonight's episode.

I'm not going to say a lot about the episode (which was a real tear-jerker) or the amazing house. I want to talk about the message of tonight's show -- regardless of whether a child has a disability or a disease, they are all still kids. The girls featured in tonight's show are just like any other teenage girls. They love to draw, watch the Backstreet Boys, read, and dress up. They want to hang out by the pool and lay out to tan. They are, above all else, kids. When you meet a kid with a disability, don't stare. Treat them like you would any other kid. Remember -- never judge a book by its cover.

Stepping down from my soapbox...