My sister's Keeper Continued

My sister’s keeper -4/14/08
My mom asked me to watch Robyn in the bath last night. Normally it’s no big deal. But sometimes she just doesn’t want me near her. To make things easier, I jump in the shower with her. We are both girls. Robyn has to be watched because she gets into the shampoo and empties the bottles, breaks the soap into small pieces and/or pulls towels into the shower. She can be very destructive when left alone. So I put a little shampoo in and mix it up, then the conditioner and I hand her the soap and show her what to do. Well last night she wanted to get under the water and she just pushed me out of the way and I fell down. I got mad, “that’s it! I’m done!” I yelled. I got up and rinsed myself off and left the shower. I called my mom up and told her I was done and she needed to watch Robyn. My mom, sympathetic to Robyn as always, said “I am sure she didn’t mean it.” I know she didn’t mean it; I have lived with her long enough to know she didn’t mean it. But I still get mad. Who wouldn’t?
I know having a child with a disability is tough on my mom. She tries very hard to make sure we all get the same attention. But Robyn always requires more. She needs someone with her twenty four hours a day. I know my mom loves me but her number one question is always, “where’s Robyn?” And if something happens when we are supposed to be watching her. I see her struggle with her anger as well. It’s not easy. My older sisters don’t have to spend as much time with her as I do, but they do have to watch her every once and a while. My mom works two jobs and my dad works with computers. They have arranged their schedules so they can be home when Robyn gets off the bus. When there is a change in the schedule, mom scrambles to figure out who is going to take care of Robyn. Even though I am only twelve they don’t worry about me as much. I am rarely left alone, because someone is always with Robyn. However, just this year my mom and dad have run to the store or something for short periods and left me alone with Robyn. For the most part she is ok, she loves watching cartoons and will sit there for the short time periods. The only problem is when I have to tell her she needs to go to the bathroom. She will forget or just not go. So we have to remind her. I hate it when she forgets. If she doesn’t want to go she can get upset and start yelling and screaming. But if I don’t get her to go, it could be worse. That’s where I try and draw the line on being my sister’s keeper. It doesn’t always work. As usual I have to help out.