Eva's Sister Is Her Hero

Eva Longoria says her mentally challenged sister is her inspiration.

The Desperate Housewives star has told Parade magazine in the US: "I've learned there's no better medicine than laughing."

"My sister Liza is mentally challenged. She was my hero growing up."

"It was a blessing to watch her overcome every obstacle – tying her shoes, putting on a shirt, getting out the front door. And yet she still had a job and would come home on the bus by herself and help with dinner. You could only imagine the hurdles she encountered every minute of the day."

Eva added: "Liza was a role model to get me ready for life in Hollywood."

"You don't take health for granted. You don't take life for granted. It seems so insignificant to go, 'Darn it, I didn't get that movie role,' or, 'Darn it, so-and-so is wearing the same dress as me to the Emmys'."