Assignment 3- Katherine Henson - My Brother

Something that has changed my view of this world is my brother. My brother, John, is 12 years old and sometimes is my favorite person ever. He and I definitely have a love-hate relationship because we're brother and sister and of course, fight like them. I was five years old when John was born and I remember my dad pulling my sister and me aside and telling us that John was born with Down Syndrome. I had no idea what this meant and my dad just explained that he was different. This was a lot to take in for a five-year-old. I had wanted a brother so much and didn't understand what "different" meant. Is it good? Bad? When will he get better? None of my questions mattered though. I loved him because he was my brother and hated him because he was my little brother. My family's involvement in the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky showed me to embrace his differences and helped me understand how he is different. This unique experience that I have helped me develop empathy. I understand now that we are all different and being different is good. I use this thinking when approaching any new situation or person. I have learned that these differences we carry create our beautiful and diverse world.