The person who is my role model and has made a great impact on my life is my thirteen year old sister, Mary Kate. She is my inspiration. Some would find it odd that my younger sister is my inspiration when I should be hers, but I feel as though I am not half as strong as she. She has taught me much more than any lesson in school or book could. I have learned so much about persistence, appreciation, patience, and determination from such a small girl. Mary Kate has autism and this is a real challenge for her. Even though she faces daily challenges she never gives up trying to learn simple things that you and I take for granted. Each time I look at her adorable smiling face I know that, no matter how difficult things can be for me, I need to remember Mary Kate’s struggles and push to achieve my goals and concur whatever mountains come my way.

Discovering Mary Kate was autistic had a profound effect on the entire family. We all had to adjust to her because of her condition. It requires a large portion of family time, attention, money and psychological support. At first I got aggravated when my mom would not pay enough attention to me. I was just four years old and always wanted all moms’ attention. Whenever my mom would be handling Mary Kate I would get jealous and try to do something cute to catch her attention. I constantly asked my mom questions like “Why can’t she just be normal?” and “Tell her to stop crying!” We are not a typical family, we are unique in the way in which we view and act upon things. I feel that I have matured faster than most of my peers and feel it is because of the cards I was dealt. I know these cards have made me a stronger, kinder and more compassionate person. I truly believe that people with autism make life more interesting if they are given the opportunity to be heard.

Through observing Mary Kate’s challenges I have learned that persistence can change failure into an extraordinary achievement. I have found new ways to explain my sister’s need to friends and relatives since she is nonverbal. I have gained an added appreciation for my personal abilities and do not take them for granted. While there are many books that I have read on Autism with valuable facts and research information I sometimes feel the most valuable information comes from people who actually live the facts and research. I am from a group of very unique and caring people who live out life differently because of autism.

Sometimes I envy Mary Kate for what seems to be her carefree attitude toward life. She has no many gifts to share with the world if she is given the opportunity. Although it is not always easy I know that I am a better person because of her. In searching for the right word to explain how I feel about my sister and her diagnosis it would be bittersweet. I feel both happy and sad to have an autistic sister. Sometimes it makes me feel happy because I learn so much helping care for her. I see her get a little better and better each day but I understand she will never live a “normal” life.

I think that because I have an autistic sister, it is easier for me to deal with people who are different. At times I feel sad and just wish she wasn’t autistic. Sometimes it’s really tough for me to deal with her. She doesn’t always listen to me, hurts me, embarrasses me in front of other people or ruins things that I am working on. I don’t always like having friends over because I have no idea how Mary Kate will act.

I also feel very proud because she never gives up. She has to try so hard with such simple thing that we do naturally. When trying to communicate what she wants, she often struggles, starts crying and tries again. When you have an autistic sibling you learn so much about patience and perseverance. She now understands that you cannot always get what you want and you need to take turns. If you are using something and Mary Kate wants it she will struggle to ask very nicely and you can’t say no to that endearing face. I will be using the computer and she will tap me on the shoulder and say “Faith’s turn first, and then Mary Kate’s turn, yes?” I learn the things the therapists do to help her. I stick up for her when other kids tease her. I try to teach her new things that she doesn’t know how to do and I accept when my parents need to pay more attention to her.

To be the sister of an autistic child is to live in a bewildering present and face an uncertain future, to battle an undertow of anxieties that most teens don’t have to think about and to balance an array of conflicting and often confusing feelings. I worry about where my sister will live when she grows up. When she gets older, she is going to be my responsibility and I worry that I won’t know everything I will need to help her lave the most fulfilling life possible. I am worried about her financial issues or if she will ever have a job. I am worried people will take advantage of her and above all that she won’t be happy. For all these reasons I feel this is the most significant challenge that I have faced that has influenced me and makes a true value on my life. Growing up with a sibling with autism is a unique experience and I wouldn’t trade my life for anything.