I am so proud of the amazing little person she is.
She's loud and busy and always wants to go on adventures.
She's polite and respectful, whenever we go anywhere.
She throws tantums and shows her stubborn side, which I like. It means she is strong willed and knows what she wants. It means she fights for what is important to her.
She's clever.
Her memory is incredible and she is a curious little person, who wants to learn.
She shares... sometimes selectively, but she makes sure everyone has something.
She's a leader and can initiate and plan activities.
She's tall and keeps up with kids older than she is. She's strong.
And, she is thoughtful. She knows that different people have different needs and different interests. She recognises when people need someone to be with them, and has often been found sitting with a child who was sitting alone.
She encourages people to play, inviting everyone. She plays with children with autism, children who are non-verbal and children with other disabilities. She knows they are a little different to her, but because of me, she knows they just want to play.
She has empathy beyond her years.
She knows I have cerebral palsy. She doesnt really know what the text book version of this means, but she knows what it is to live with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
She doesn't remember my cancer journey, because she was inside Mum at the time, but there is no doubt that our stress has had an impact on her.
She knows I need extra support. She knows I need extra time.
She knows we can't go to some places, because she is with me and my wheelchair. And, she is always ok with that.
She knows to include me and already tries to find ways to do that.
She knows to offer me a drink and wipe my face (sometimes when I don't want or need it!!).
She has seen me taken away in ambulances and has shared hospital beds with me. She worries so much, still, when I am sick.
She thanks me, whenever we get tickets to a show or invited somewhere special (because of my cerebral palsy and my cancer history).
Some mornings, she climbs into my bed and we talk. I don't have words, but she tells me things important to her and I talk back, in my own way. I'd like to think she understands me, perhaps more than anyone else.
She helps get my standing frame in position and gathers my special shoes and AFOs. She gets the wipes, if I need them and pulls my legs; dragging me away from hard furniture (so I don't hit my head).
This little four year old girl is one of the strongest, smartest and most sincere people I know. I am so glad I get to call her my sister.
I love her.
We respect the people who support us in this.
My sisters will be well-known. They will be talked about; as the girls who have a brother with severe disabilities. But for now, we try to shelter, them a little.
On a birthday, though, here is a collection of photos from the last four years:
Happy birthday, Gorgeous.