\u2018\u2019 I was 6 and Didi was 12 when I found out she has Down Syndrome. I\u2019d often wonder why she got all the attention even though I was younger until Maa explained everything. Maa was a special needs educator herself, so she taught Didi everything. Didi would help us with homework, take us out to eat and even read us bedtime stories.<\/p>\n

Some days, after school when I\u2019d get complaints from my teacher, I\u2019d tell Didi to somehow save me from Maa and Baba\u2019s scolding. I\u2019d say, \u2018Didi main chota hu, bacha lo na please!\u2019 That excuse would always melt Didi and she somehow never let me get into trouble. She\u2019d talk to them and make excuses for me. If I ever got into fights with kids in the neighbourhood, Didi would say, \u2018Arindam ne kuch nahi kiya.\u2019<\/p>\n

I was quite protective of Didi myself\u2013 sometimes our cousins would make fun of her and take her toys away. Then I\u2019d say, \u2018Mere se maar khaoge agar Didi ko tang kiya,\u2019 and make them give the toys back. Sometimes while travelling in trains, people refused to give up their seat for Didi, even after they were told that she couldn\u2019t stand for long\u2013 I\u2019d explain until they gave in. I attended all her dance performances, sports events and special needs classes. We\u2019re thick as thieves.<\/p>\n

And Didi never failed to surprise us. She studied hard and became a special educator teaching assistant at the age of 18. She earned a small amount, but it made her so happy that she could treat us with her earnings. Some days she\u2019d bring home sweets, other days chicken fried rice. Then she\u2019d say, \u2018Aaj sab meri taraf se\u2019. Then we\u2019d all rejoice and say, \u2018Aaj Didi ki taraf se party!\u2019<\/p>\n

Ever since we started working, we\u2019ve spent less time together but that hasn\u2019t changed anything. Till date, when I visit home, Didi gets so excited to discuss shows and even boys with me! No matter how many relatives are around, Didi and I will find time to sit beside each other and talk.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve missed the last 3 Bhaidooj celebrations because I was away for work. Before that, for every Bhaidooj, I was always the first one to get mithai from her. For the 3 years that I was away, she\u2019d call me and cry telling me how she wished I was there, and I\u2019d say, \u2018Didi, meri taraf se do mithai khaalo\u2019. This year, we\u2019re together, so I can finally say, \u2018Didi, main chota hu…pehle mujhe mithai do!\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018\u2019 I was 6 and Didi was 12 when I found out she has Down Syndrome. I\u2019d often wonder why she got all the attention even though I was younger until Maa explained everything. Maa was a special needs educator herself, so she taught Didi everything. Didi would help us with homework, take us out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n