Meet Joshua, your average, happy, outgoing 19 year old boy.

I was born in May of 1997 as triplet. First, came my sister Jordyn, Second, came my brother Joshua and Lastly, me. (I'm the baby.) You might be wondering why I am introducing you to Joshua and not Jordyn ... the reason being is I am shining a light on living with someone who has special needs. It's not that I don't have a connection with my sister but the bond I have with my brother is one that I cannot explain.

At a very young age, he was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. Angelman syndrome shares behavioral similarities on the autism spectrum causing developmental, muscular, and cognitive issues. Essentially, being a neurodevelopmental disorder. Regardless, what this disorder brings, the word angel says it all, because that is what he is.

Being disabled means not being able to do certain things than other people of the same age can do because of how their body and mind works. Life is completely different when you're living with someone who has a disability.

First, for a young person such as myself, it can be very difficult caring for a person with a disability juggling school and work commitments. Although, it was tough, I learned to do the things I loved with him, and I wouldn't change that for the world. I'd drop everything and be right beside him in a heartbeat.

For some, 24/7 supervision is a must. Tasks include, but are not limited to bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, washing dishes, housekeeping, errands and cooking. Your daily activities become one with theirs, but that is okay. You learn to accept it and move on. Supervision is different for everyone, some may require help, some may.

Communication is much different because they might comprehend things differently, for example, short sentences, sign language or pictures become a way to communicate effectively. You learn to find the best ways to communicate. My brother is nonverbal so communicating with him is much different than communicating with my sister. I communicate with my brother through body language and mood vibes. Him and I just have that kind of connection.

We live in a world where too many people are fearful of being different or being unique. Disabilities just give you a little extra umph to make you more amazing than the next person. Living with a person who has a disability has taught me that happiness comes within and not what you have or what you can do, weakness isn't always a negative, you can't judge a person by their looks, fitting in is overrated and that being different is an opportunity. Someone with a disability has taught me love needs no words. 1 in 20,000 people are affected with Angelman syndrome and I was blessed with an angel, that I am so lucky to call my brother.