Sensitive

Samantha has always had so much empathy.  I've heard this mentioned a lot about people with Down syndrome.  She seems to really feel, deep down inside her, when someone else is sad or hurt.  So much so that for the last few years her gauge of whether or not everything is copacetic is to ask, "Are you happy?"  It's almost heartbreaking, because I worry that if she's asking, she may sense that something is less than perfect.  Usually she asks when everything is just fine, but she still wants (needs) to be sure.

I had previously blogged about her delicate ability to sense another's emotions here  and also here.  Below are just a few additional and more recent examples (although there are hundreds more):

Sammi has a little friend at school with cerebral palsy, who she just adores.  She mentions him all the time, and when I've seen them together, she just dotes on him, hugging him and kissing him, looking out for him.  It's not like he can jump out of his wheelchair to run and play with her, but there's something about her need to care for someone that draws her to him, I think.  He is also quite smitten with her, according to his mother.  She senses the weakness in others and is likewise very gentle with babies and animals.  Not like I'm comparing her friend with babies or animals, but those examples seemed to fit best here...

As I was putting her to bed the other night, I mentioned to her that my neck really hurt.  I had slept funny the previous night, and was really stiff, with pain every time I turned my head.  She gently touched my shoulder and said something to the effect of "Dr. Sammi make it better."  The next morning when she woke up, one of the first things she did was ask if my neck was better.  I nearly laughed!  My headaches, stubbed toes and other bumps, bruises and maladies (yes, I'm a klutz) all get the same sweet treatment.  Dr. Sammi, indeed!

Sunday afternoon, while I was trying to show something to her, she kept pushing my hand away and whining that she wanted me to stop and that she didn't want to look at the proffered toy.  I knew she was a bit sleepy, but we've been trying to teach her that she still needs to listen and not to whine.  I told her firmly that I wasn't going to play with her if she was going to be cranky.  We went on to something else.  A few minutes later, I randomly asked her for a hug (trust me, you can never ask for that too much - they're totally worth it!).  Her response was to launch herself into my arms, squeezing me tightly, saying, "Mommy, I'm sorry I cranky." 

Nearly broke my heart. 

That acknowledgement of her poor behavior made me question whether or not I'd overreacted in the first place.  I know I shouldn't second-guess myself, because I know I gave her some constructive stuff to think about, and I know I didn't actually overreact, I just stated my piece very simply.  I guess I just didn't expect her comprehension to be as complete as it was.  That'll teach me to underestimate this kid...  And believe me, she was good as gold after that.

Her sensitive and empathic nature must be where her obsession of doctors comes from.  It just comes naturally.  Granted, she has never really had a bad experience with any doctors (well, not including the ever-awful strep tests and not any others that she can remember, anyway, given that open heart surgery has to be pretty traumatic).  I don't know what career Sammi will have when she's older, and while I know that she can't be a doctor (oh, how I hate to use that word, "can't"), I suspect she could easily have a job as some sort of medical assistant or a caregiver.  She's not even 5 yet (Ack!  Less than a week away!!), but I can already say that the world would be a much better place with more people like her in it.

For anyone that still doesn't believe it, trust me, that extra chromosome is a beautiful thing.