Down Syndrome

Nine years ago, my sister came into the world with a disability,

But this didn’t make any difference. It was invisible to me.

And although she may learn slower, may not understand things right away,

She’s an amazing person who has taught me some things along the way.

Like how disability is just a synonym for a unique personality,

And that her laugh can cure any malady.

I still remember the sign language we had to teach

Her to get her started on using her speech.

When we work on homework, she forces my patience to grow

Because there’s some things she still doesn’t  know.

She doesn’t care what other people think. That’s her choice.

She’ll dance anywhere and sing at the top of her voice.

And asking her to shut up is like asking her to stop breathing.

She only stops talking when she’s sleeping.

She has a short attention span, but that’s okay.

Half the kids my age act the same way.

I wouldn’t change anything. She’s perfect the way she is.

She has often made me wonder this:

How in the world did I become so lucky

To have a sister with a chromosome twenty one trisomy?