I’ve had a younger brother with Down syndrome for practically my entire life. Sean is my only sibling and the pleasure of growing up with him is all I have ever known. When I tell people he has a disability, more often than not they react with sympathy. Common responses I receive are “Aw, that’s so sad!” and even “Wow, that must be tough.” I’m here to tell you that no, a brother with Down syndrome isn’t a tragedy, but instead one of my biggest blessings.
My family always says that people who are close to someone with a disability are typically unique, and I agree. I’ll be honest; it was never a walk in the park living with someone as special as Sean. I’ve witnessed my fair share of scary tantrums, changes of plans, and a lot of confusion. However, I know these situations made me a far more tolerant and loving person. I believe growing up so close to Sean completely changed who I am for the better, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
It’s incredible to see Sean’s impact on my friends over the years. Before meeting him, some didn’t know anyone with Down syndrome. They moved from being cautious and unsure to visibly happy whenever they see him, always excitedly asking me how he is doing.
Like many others who have loved ones with disabilities, I would do absolutely anything for Sean without hesitation and am quick to defend him. Nevertheless, he’s still my annoying younger brother and, as the typical older sister, I tease him every now and then, such as when I pretend to steal his ice cream. I think one of the biggest misconceptions about having a sibling with a disability is that we walk on eggshells around them and always have a guard up. I would be furious if a random person talked to Sean the wrong way, but to me he’s just the kid I’ve lived with my whole life and there’s no need to act different around him.
One of the greatest benefits about having Sean in my life is the way he can completely change the dynamic in a room. There were days when I came home upset and instantly got a little happier because he was waiting to give me a hug hello. When I’m at school, I’m about six hours away from home. The hardest part about the distance is seeing him so much less throughout the year. Luckily, with FaceTime, I get to see his face pop up on my laptop when I need a boost.
So no, having a sibling with a disability is not a burden. My little brother is an 18-year-old who loves Star Wars, chicken nuggets (pizza every Friday), and sitting in the passenger seat of my car blasting music. Having Sean in my life has made me a person who is accepting of people who don’t fit the standard for “normalcy.” It made me someone who is passionate about working with others with disabilities through incredible organizations like Special Olympics. It’s been a crazy ride, but I cannot imagine not having this gift in my life.
Photo Credits: Author’s own