I was sitting in my room playing Barbies with Nina, with whom I usually play with the most. The door was ajar. Just then, Nichole came bursting in. Nichole is my sister with Down syndrome. I don’t usually like her in my room because she often takes something from my room and runs off giggling. And, if you’ve seen our Barbie’s chewed hands, then you’ll know why I don’t like her taking my toys. She’ll ruin them!

But this time, she was not trying to steal my toys. She sweetly asked, “Ellie, play?”

Now the truth is, sometimes, I think it’s pretty boring to play with her. She likes to do the same games over and over again.

“What do you want to play?” I asked unsure.

“Ellie!” Nichole said annoyed, “Play!”

“Play what?” I asked again.

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the couch.

“Sleep!” She said pointing to the couch.

“Okay” I groaned, resigned to play another boring game, but then I asked, “Nichole sleep, or Ellie sleep?”

“Nichole. Ellie. Sleep.” She said.

I started to climb on the couch. Nichole yelled, “No! Ellie no! No! No! No like it sleep! Nichole!”

She climbed up and got comfortable, “Blanket?” She asked.

So I got her a blanket and got her comfy. Then she asked me to get her a doll. When she had things just perfect (because things always have to be just right for her) she said, “Ellie. Sleep here.” She pointed right next to her.

I got under the blanket with her, not so happy.

“Sleep. Shhh!!!” Nichole whispered.

I closed my eyes, face-to-face with her. Nichole started gently brushing her finger through my eyes, “Eyes” Nichole said, “Eyes.”

I opened my eyes and giggled a little bit, Nichole giggled too.

Then she pulled the blanket over our heads and watched me in anticipation. She copied everything I did. I patted her back, and she patted mine. I poked her nose, she poked mine. I made a little noise and she made it too. I had to cough, and she even tried to imitate my cough.

It turned out to be fun, playing with my sister on the couch, under the blanket. I felt so much love for her.

I was a little kid when Nichole was born, so I don’t remember much. I mean, she was my sister. Even with Down syndrome it doesn’t matter to me, I love her very much.

Sometimes it is hard to be Nichole’s sister because she often goes into my room and plays with my toys. Or she grabs as many toys as she can in her arms and runs away with them.

I would want people to know that having a sister with Down syndrome is not bad. She brings joy to my life. Nichole loves to know that people are watching her and feeling happy for the things she does. Nichole is usually a joy but there are frustrating times when I have to remember, “She has Down syndrome, things are harder for her.”

My sister Nichole may be demanding and loud sometimes, but she is also very sweet and loving. She gives the best hugs and kisses. Nichole is a joy to our lives, not a disappointment. She changed our lives. I’m thankful for Nichole. She loves to include me. She has the cutest little face and laugh, and she does things her way and sometimes it is funny.

If Nichole was not my sister, I would probably stare at her and wish she was my sister. I would be very jealous . And if I never knew her, I wouldn’t be as happy all the time as I am now.