I have been thinking about how to start blogging for days, in terms of what my first blog should be about. It suddenly struck me that the reason I was blogging was to express my thoughts and feelings to the world. And voila, the answer suddenly became quite obvious – my sister is the best route to my heart, and so that is where my blog should start from. This is an article I wrote two years ago and had it published in my school newsletter at the time. I recieved very motivating feedback.
My journey started nine years ago when my younger sister, Gayatri, was born. At the time, I was just about seven years old. When I received the news, with my limited vocabulary and a pea sized brain, I jumped with joy, screaming, “I have a girl!”
Now, thinking about it makes me feel pretty embarrassed. But that one day changed my life and the world I live in. My sister is blessed with Down Syndrome*, making her a ‘special needs’ child. Most people who hear about this say, “Oh my God! I’m so sorry”. But I’m not.
Being blessed with special needs is not a disability. It is not something to be ashamed or sorry about. In fact, it’s quite the contrary; it’s a blessing you receive. First thing that strikes you looking at a child with special needs is that they can’t talk, walk, understand, express and as some people put it, are ‘handicapped’. But is that really all there is to a special needs child?
No. Look deeper and you’ll realise the heart and soul beneath that body. You scream at them, yet they love you; you hit them, yet they hug you. Is that being ‘stupid’? I think it has a lot more to do with forgiveness, passion and compassion. It’s about having a heart – one bigger than many of ours.
It seems as though they don’t understand. But they do – they understand the true self behind each of us. Yet, they choose to see only the positive, bright and happy side of us, because, at the end of the day, that is what we really are and that is what really matters.
Come to think of it, each of us is different, we are all unique. Someone may like to draw, while another may like to dance and a third to read. Each of us has a different interest, demand and need. Each of us has a special need. You may need glasses, while your friend may have braces. Doesn’t the same principle apply to them?
My sister has taught me a lot about unconditional love, forgiveness, sharing, generosity and about living each moment to the fullest. She’s taught me how to deal with every situation I face, and just to let you know, she can barely verbalise her thoughts. It’s her behaviour towards everything. I tease her and bother her but she’ll snuggle right back into my lap and cry on my shoulder.
You scream at them, they love you; you hit them, they hug you; but you hug them back and they're a friend for life.
*Down Syndrome is a chromosomal condition caused due to the presence of an extra chromosome. Each of us has 23 pairs of chromosomes (total of 46). These children have 47 chromosomes, with the extra being present in the 21st pair. The cause for this abnormality is not known. However, what we do know is the effect. Children blessed with Down Syndrome have a predilection for a wide range of medical problems, including heart diseases, low immunity, low muscle tone etc. Delayed milestones are also common.
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