Hey there,

Remember me? I bet you don’t. I bet you remember my brother, the kid who was shouting “cow jump over the moon” at the doctor’s office that one time 12 years ago, and you purposefully laughed at him and teased him about it. You’re probably asking yourself “why is she still so hung up over this?” Hmm...that’s a pretty good question, let me explain it to you.

My brother is Autistic, do you know what that means? It means that he sees things from a different perspective than others do. He’s not stupid, he’s actually incredibly smart, if you were to ask what songs come up next on a Sesame Street video that he hasn’t seen in 5 years, he’ll tell you what song, and who sings it, and what song comes up after that. Guess what? He’ll be right! Yes, he still has the mindset of a little kid, but that doesn’t make him dumb or stupid. It’s makes him unique, and if everyone were the same, this world would be extremely boring.

When you guys came into the doctor’s office that day, I honestly didn’t think it’d be a problem, I mean you were both so involved with your Nintendo D.S.’ I didn’t think that you would have any interest in my brother, and what he had to say. At the age of nine, I understood my brother’s disability, and I understood that he was different, but he is my brother, and I love him the way he is. What I didn’t understand was why people make fun of others because they’re different, and I’ve always felt this way. When he first shouted “cow jump over the moon!” and you two started laughing, I’ll admit that is pretty funny to hear, but after he said it again you guys started repeating it over, and over. How would you feel is someone repeated a sentence you said over and over again mimicking you? It would suck, right? Even though they can’t always show it people with disabilities do have feelings and even the smallest things you say can hurt them, or anyone! I understand that people say funny things sometimes, my brother can be absolutely hilarious with the things that he says, but there is a breaking point and you should know when to stop. I’ll never forget what you said to me after my brother saw the doctor and we were in the waiting room again. You walked in and my brother said something so you both mimicked him again. When I told him to go to my mom and leave the situation, you both had the nerve to turn around and say “why are you being such a snob?” I remember looking at you both, then getting up and leaving the room. Looking back now at this situation, I wish I had the nerve to tell you both to stop and to keep your mouths shut about something you know nothing about.

I actually want to thank you both, you taught and showed me what I should do when a situation like this occurs again, from now on I speak up when I see someone bullying my brother, or anyone in general! No one ever deserves to be treated so poorly just because you don’t understand their situation.

I hope that one day reality gives you both a kick in the a**, because you will not get far in this world if it doesn’t.

Yours truly,