Dynamics of a family

Q: What is your brother diagnosed with?

A: My brother is diagnosed as moderately mentally retarded

Q: How would you describe living with a handicapped sibling?

A: It’s challenging at times. He talks a lot and repeats the same thing over. It’s rewarding, too, because he Abu is happy, cheerful and energetic all the time.

Q: From Abu’s illness, do you learn about anything else?

A: He teaches me about patience. More importantly, he teaches me that people are different, but it’s possible to love each other despite our differences. I feel that he’s a blessing from God. I was recently watching a show about a boy who couldn’t talk and his sister was talking about how she wonders what he’s thinking about. The doctor was talking about how God sends people like him on Earth to teach others. Abu teaches me about love, about being thankful.

Q: Have you ever been embarassed?

A: I’ve never been embarrassed. I love my brother. People sometimes don’t understand because they expect him to be normal. It’s frustrating to see how people can be ignorant because they expect him to act normally when he’s not.

Q: What do you like the most about him?

His smile. People always compliment him about his smile and the energy he gives out.