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This summer, I had the pleasure of being the nanny to Michaela, a seven year old with Down syndrome. The experience of working with her was profoundly eye-opening. Michaela taught me a lot over the summer and vice versa. She was always happy. Even if she was doing something simple like playing with blocks or puzzles, she would engage in the activity for hours and be happy as a clam. I wish it was that easy for all of us, living in today’s fast-paced world, to be content. Spending my summer with Michaela has changed my attitude and outlook on life because I have realized that I need to slow down and enjoy the little things. There was one morning that stands out in my mind. I came over to watch Michaela, and had just had swimming practice for three hours before that; I was exhausted. When I got there, Michaela asked if we could paint, so we did. This lasted about two hours. The two of us sat there painting and mixing colors and laughing the whole time. She made me forget all about my practice that morning, about how sore I felt, and about all the things on my to-do list for that day. The best part is that she knew exactly what she was doing: cheering me up. I am so glad I had the opportunity to nanny such a wonderful child this summer; I will never forget it. “Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. In most cases, Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. This form of Down syndrome is called Trisomy 21. The extra chromosome causes problems with the way the body and brain develop” (A.D.A.M.). I find it really frustrating that one in 830 babies are born with Down syndrome, and no one can explain why, or what causes this (Genetics Home Reference). D... ... middle of paper ... ...s that affect the brain and spinal cord, the urinary tract, and the heart” (Vermont Environmental Health Tracking). They also state “some endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and pesticides, have been linked to nervous system defects and developmental problems such as reduced muscle tone and response” (Vermont Environmental Health Tracking). This contradicts many sources who write that there are no known causes of the birth defect Down syndrome. Works Cited Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "Down Syndrome." PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 05 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. "Down Syndrome." Genetics Home Reference. N.p., 25 Nov. 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. "Vermont Environmental Health Tracking - Birth Defects FAQ." Vermont Environmental Health Tracking. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

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