I think you should force your sister's hand. Say, I am going to tell her if you don't.

Be prepared to lose your sister forever.

The woman should be told the truth. Genetics don't rule health but they do have a role in determining risks of certain conditions.

This isn't 1955.

You have compelling reasons for wanting to tell the truth.

This is one band aid that is going to hurt terribly when it is pulled off, though.

Let the truth come from her parents, even if you must force their hand.

Also, examine whatever alternative motives you have for wanting to interfere (in addition to all the good reasons that stem from your knowledge as a social worker). I mean, is it the catty competitive relationship you have with your sister or your strong desire to get back at her for some put down, or because your mom favored her, or you just want to one-up her or whatever.

I mean, be fully aware of both your good and bad reasons for ripping this band-aid off. Be honest in all manners possible.

Tree-ee's response is clever.

LW--if you were in a family where everyone voted Democrat and your siblings refused to shoulder their part of the parental burden, you would still be resentful and pissed.

Your parents are just going to become more of a burden as time goes by.

If they can't afford rent or mortgage independently, it is time for them to move in with one of your local siblings. You can reduce your portion of support accordingly, but still contribute toward their grocery and utilities.

Get tough with your siblings. You shouldn't have to go it alone. If you just cut your support to your parents, they may not have the courage or capability to ask the others for support. They may wind up living destitute and in squalor.

Is your family Catholic or some other religion that teaches one to take care of one's elders? Well, hang your hook on that if you can. If your neices and nephews are being sent to parochial school and your sibs are holding themselves out as pillars of the community (with you being the so-called perverted black sheep they can feel morally superior too) call them on it. Start calling up old classmates in your hometown who gossip so that word can get out how they are neglecting your parents.

Use whatever they rely on for their moral superiority against them until they join you in doing the right thing by their parents. Play by their rules even if it makes you feel a little dirty.

I think the one letter from the adopted woman whose infant had a stroke at birth because the adoption agency failed to provide adequate information regarding her biological parents health history trumps every other letter on this thread in which a writer speculates out of their bottom end that genetic histories have little to no bearing since by golly, they haven't got any genetic disorders and everyone can do well to exercise and eat right.

The first thing my OB/GYN did at the time I announced I was engaged was do a full genetic risk overview for me and my husband, based on our ethnic heritage, so we would know before any conception occurred what potential problems might arise for our children.

This woman doesn't even know she is adopted.

The arguments for truth are more compelling than the "don't rock the boat" mentality. This woman should be told the truth, by her parents not by her aunt. But if after three months the parents still haven't done it, then the aunt should provide the truth.

Oh, maybe not three months. Maybe the ultimatum should involve one week. Enough time for a few rehearsals, but not enough time to hire a hit man to take out the aunt.

Tina Fey got her start as an off-screen writer for SNL. She was overweight and so was not allowed to appear in the sketches until after she dieted.

She cultivated her intelligence and humor coming of age as a chubby girl and it doesn't matter that she is thin now. She will always see herself as she once was.

I think Tina Fey is great and her success is well earned.

Just like the song and dance they gave to convince us that WMDs were in Iraq, only with more secrecy and less oversight.

The Bush Administration is criminal. They are looting our treasury.

Just wait, in a couple of weeks, something bad will happen again and they will suspend the election. Just like Musharraf did.

I don't know if this letter is fake or not but it really got me thinking, you know, about the gays.