SISTER! ACT

Sophie, 33, and her sister Emily knew their play could change people's views on Down's syndrome

- ASHLEIGH PAGE

There’s nothing like the bond between sisters. A ready-made best friend, lifelong protector, teacher, cheerleader and sounding board for ideas, good or bad.

When Emily was born in 1991, I was so thrilled to become a big sister and from the get-go we were extremely close – as soon as Emily could walk we spent hours running races and playing in the garden.

Being two years older, I loved teaching Emily new things. ‘Watch me,’ I’d say as we learned to tie our shoelaces as Mum looked on. I was born with Down’s syndrome and people often had misconceptions about me, how much I could learn or presumed that Emily would learn faster than me and be the one to teach me things rather than the other way around. But I was her big sister and I took that role very seriously. It was my job to show her the way.