Dear Harry,
First of all, let me start off by saying that I love you so much. And I know that you love me back even though you may not tell me that every day. But no matter what happens, I will do my very best to protect you from people who don’t understand you. I will do my very best to accept the fact that because of mind-blindness, you can’t be aware of others’ mental states. I will do my very best to be the best sister that any brother could possibly ask for by always being there for them. And I will do my very best to be your friend, role model, and caretaker.
You have now reached the point in your life where you are learning to be more independent. You are now 21. You have a job. You take the bus to your job each week day on your own. You go to the Pilot House where you take specific class after work and learn to thrive in an environment with other Special Needs persons. You are learning how to have a proper and even a normal conversation with another person. And you are out of the house for almost twelve hours, for five days a week.
But despite your many up moments thus far, there are still some of your down moments. You get angry whenever things don't go your way. Because of your mind-blindness. You sometimes use violence, use foul language, or cry uncontrollably in order to get what you want. Now I know that mom, dad, me, or you can't fully change any of your actions, but together we can improve them. Little by little we are doing everything we can to help you overcome your problems.
Harry, don't ever forget that you are an incredible person. Don't ever forget that you light up my world. Don't ever forget that my life wouldn't be the same without you. Don’t ever forget that people who don't understand you don't define you. Don't ever forget that you can always count on me and our parents. Don't ever forget that you are not alone.
Please do me a favor and remember one more thing: I will always love you.
Your sister,
Caroline Fiske
P.S. To anyone who is reading this letter and thinking to themselves, how sorry they feel for this kid. And how hard his life must be compared to any typical kid’s life. Yes, your thoughts are true, but Harry’s disorder doesn’t fully define him as a person. By far Harry is the friendliest guy that I know because he talks to everybody. He doesn’t care if you don't have friends, nor does he care if you were the most popular kid in high school. All he cares is about is whether or not you’re willing to have a conversation with him. I mean, after all, he just wants to be treated like any typical kid. He wants to have fun, be happy, and life a good life. He deserves that and so much more because Harry is very funny, sweet, has a very loud and distinguishable laugh that anyone could hear from five miles away, and most of all he is an amazing person who has his moments every now and then.
