When I was five years old I found out I was going to be a big sister. I was so excited to have a little sister to play with and have her be my best friend. I still vividly remember the day she was born. It was August 29^th 2001, the day my life changed in the most unexpected way. The first time I got to see my baby sister, she looked exactly how I thought she would. She was the cutest baby I had ever seen. I didn’t understand until later that she was not just a normal baby. My parents had told me she had Down Syndrome. I was five so I had no idea what that meant, to me she was just a baby. She looked like a baby and acted like a baby. How was she different?

Later in my life I learned that Down Syndrome is a genetic condition, where the 21^st chromosome copies itself. This complication alters the development of a baby causing physical and mental delays. Down Syndrome can cause a variety of different developmental problems, causing these kids to need more assistance in life. Every case of Down Syndrome is different, and every person has different needs and is their own unique individual. However, there is no reason why people with Down Syndrome can’t live a normal and happy life.

Growing up I always knew my sister was different. We had physical therapists come to our house and have my sister do special exercises. My sister wore ankle braces for a while, she also didn’t walk until she was three years old. My sister learned to communicate to us through a little bit of sign language. At times it was hard, especially when she couldn’t communicate with us what was bothering her, but I couldn’t imagine my life any differently.

My sister is now 14 years old, and she is the sassiest 14 year old I have ever met. Even with Down Syndrome, she is a full blown teenager with all the attitude that comes with it. She always stands with one hand on her hip and flips her hair over her shoulder. She also doesn’t hesitant to tell me when the boys on the shows she watches are “So hot.” She is the biggest girly-girl I know; she always has her nails painted and carries a purse full of jewelry wherever she goes. Her laugh is contagious and I can’t hear it without smiling. She will sing in the car with her headphones on and I love hearing every single off tune lyric. Each and every day she makes me smile and realize that life is such an amazing thing and I should never take it for granted.

She has overcome so many struggles in her short life. At a young age I remember her being in and out of the hospital from having pneumonia. Even the simple things such as walking and talking, she has had to struggle with learning. She can now communicate to me in full sentences that I can understand, and she is learning to read and write. She is even on a special needs cheerleading team. Every time I see her up on that stage it makes me cry.

In the 14 years she has been alive, she has taught me so much. I have not only learned how to be patient and understanding, but I have also learned compassion and acceptance. Everybody is different and everybody has unique characteristics that make them who they are. Sometimes I think people are afraid of what is different so that act in a defensive way. I have learned to embrace differences. Life would be boring without them. I have also learned acceptance. Everybody has his or her own problems in life. We are always on the outside looking in and are so quick to judge people. I have learned that I don’t know everyone's struggles so the best I can do as a person is just be kind and let those people know that it’s okay to be who they are. I have learned to cherish life and to be thankful for what I have. People with Down Syndrome go through everyday struggles much bigger than my own and they are still happy and living amazing lives.

Having a sibling with a disability has not always been easy. There have been many struggles and I have had to learn a lot very quickly, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. To me, life with a sister with Down Syndrome is normal and I can’t even imagine anything different. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my little sister. Every time I come home from school I look forward to the huge hug I get from her. I love my sister very much and I am so proud to be her big sister.