Growing up, I got used to my older brother Leo not speaking verbally. I didn't know why but it never stopped us from having fun. When he was 6, he began speaking his first words and my mother was told he had Autism. She didn't know what it was and we were confused for many years. Thankfully, the game 'Word Phonics' and a lot of Saturday morning cartoons helped improve his speech, but still reacted to people physically and did not realize he was hurting others.
In his teens, he always stayed alone and didn't bother making new friends. My family knew he did not understand the questions he was asked by people. We didn't know what to do. He told us us he knows he's different and won't be like anyone else. I felt I failed him. I no longer knew how to protect him.
He is now 22. Our 10 pound dog was added in our lives and my brother absolutely adores her and she has become therapeutic for him. He had become a gentle giant.
I always felt I needed to protect him because I felt it was my duty. But he never forgot that I was the little sister and will do just about anything to make me laugh. On my birthday, he finally decided to be a part of the party and celebrate with me. For the first time, I saw him have fun with people other than our family. It brought me to tears. In that moment I knew I had not failed him. Leo is my biggest inspiration. He never pushed me away from helping him and he always fought to protect me too. Autism has shown me that it's just a title. Though society will make him look out to be different, he is intelligent. We just have to be open minded and listen. He will always be my biggest inspiration to NEVER give up what I'm passionate about. Leo will always be my Big "Little" Brother and I will always be his Little "Big" Sister =)
Whittier, CA
