Siblings

These two...

Something I jotted down a few Sundays ago:

Sydney and Myles were at the top of the slide at the park today with some acquaintances from school. I heard a girl a few grades older say, "Guys, let Myles go, he has a disability." Sydney turned to her and asked, "What's a disability?"

cue me giggling

Of course Sydney knows that some things are harder for Myles and sees the differences between him and most other kids, but for her, that's just because he's Myles, her brother, and not because he has a disability. I'm not even sure what she thinks Down syndrome mearns, but it doesn't really matter, at least not now.

Siblings of kids with disabilities can have it tough sometimes. I see it with my own. But, they don't know any differently, and I know mine woudn't have it any other way. I witnessed Sydney stick up for Myles at school earlier this year when an older boy was making fun of the way he talks. She defended Myles and moved on; it came so naturally to her. Things that still are tough for me as an adult seem so instinctual to her. I see it with other siblings too, and am awed by the power of these relationships.

And for the record, in our family, if it's your turn to go down the slide, you go. If not, you wait, regardless of your special abilities. Sydney was just confused that somebody would think otherwise.