An Open Letter To My Disabled Brother

A thank you letter for all the ways that you have made me a better person.

"Life is full twists and turns, including some we don't expect. Your brother Colin was born on April 29. He was born with something called Prader-Willi syndrome. What this means is Colin was born missing a piece of his chromosome, He is one special brother". This was a small excerpt of a journal entry that mom wrote to me on October 18, 1999. I was only two at the time, too young to even make sense of what was going on.

As I got older I came to find out what this meant for you. Prader-Willi syndrome is defined as "a rare genetic disorder present at birth that results in a number of physical, mental, and behavioral problems." In other words, or how the doctors put it, you would be severely disabled for the remainder of your life. You would be nonverbal, struggle with walking, and have the brain capacity of a two year old.

As you grew older, little by little your disabilities became more apparent. At age five I started to grasp that you were different. This would explain the funny stares, snarky remarks, and questions that bombarded our family making me very protective of you.

Mom and Dad always had the philosophy of preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. You continue to amaze us everyday by even the slightest smile. Everything you have accomplished is a celebration.

When people find out that I have a disabled sibling, a common response I receive is "I'm sorry" or "That must be hard". I can't help but smile because they have no clue what they are missing out on. Being a part of your life is the most rewarding experience I could ever ask for.

Having you as a brother has made me mature faster than those around me. Your presence has shaped who I am in the best way possible.

Nobody will ever be able to understand the constant struggles that you endure everyday, such as being changed, bathed and fed. But what I can say is that you are the strongest person I know and have made me stronger.

You are the biggest blessing in my life. Although, you cannot speak, your smile speaks volumes which radiates to those who surround you.

You are one loved boy who will never quite know how much you mean to everyone who knows you. You are my teacher and I cannot thank you enough for that. I love you to the moon and back!

-Meghan