02-01-2005, 12:39 PM
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-v...-headlines
NEW VOICIES
An autistic sibling teaches patience
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SARA KANG
Sara Kang is a sophomore at John Bowne High School in Flushing.
January 31, 2005
When I was little, I didn't know that my brother had autism. I just thought he had a problem. I didn't understand why he was like that, but I was angry at him. Not just at him, but at the kids who ridiculed him and made fun of him. Some kids made fun of him not just because he wasn't normal, but because of his Asian heritage. I wanted to hurt them so that they could get a taste of the pain that I went through.
Usually, siblings of autistic children don't openly talk about their pain, but somehow I was able to. My mom and I had a lot of talks about life and stuff like that. My brother's autism made me and my mom closer. My dad and I never really talked about it but we expressed our emotions in the same way. My brother and I grew really close over the years. Even though he is autistic, we have a normal relationship.
I still wanted to know what having a normal sibling was like, but my brother taught me lessons about life and how to deal with it. Because of him, I learned patience and understanding. I saw the good things in my life and not just the bad. Even though he has autism, at least he is able to act like a normal kid. He likes to play and annoy me just like any other younger brother. He loves to laugh, and I am filled with happiness when I am the one who makes him laugh.
NEW VOICIES
An autistic sibling teaches patience
Email this story
Printer friendly format
SARA KANG
Sara Kang is a sophomore at John Bowne High School in Flushing.
January 31, 2005
When I was little, I didn't know that my brother had autism. I just thought he had a problem. I didn't understand why he was like that, but I was angry at him. Not just at him, but at the kids who ridiculed him and made fun of him. Some kids made fun of him not just because he wasn't normal, but because of his Asian heritage. I wanted to hurt them so that they could get a taste of the pain that I went through.
Usually, siblings of autistic children don't openly talk about their pain, but somehow I was able to. My mom and I had a lot of talks about life and stuff like that. My brother's autism made me and my mom closer. My dad and I never really talked about it but we expressed our emotions in the same way. My brother and I grew really close over the years. Even though he is autistic, we have a normal relationship.
I still wanted to know what having a normal sibling was like, but my brother taught me lessons about life and how to deal with it. Because of him, I learned patience and understanding. I saw the good things in my life and not just the bad. Even though he has autism, at least he is able to act like a normal kid. He likes to play and annoy me just like any other younger brother. He loves to laugh, and I am filled with happiness when I am the one who makes him laugh.