People who suffer from malfunctioning brains are still people. The higher brain functions are not a definition of living. In fact, it would be better if we gave up the words “normal” and “impaired” when talking about brain functioning. As the mother of an autistic child suggested some time ago the words, “common” and “quirky” are more useful. Many people on what is now called the “autism spectrum” have astonishing brain power not exhibited in “common” people. Oliver Sacks in his many books has introduced us to many of these people.

The fact is that the aging process may be altering our brains in ways that put us in touch with possibilities that we could not experience when we were younger. And we don’t need an iron rod or a massive stroke to get in touch with them.”