Students deal with having siblings with disabilities

Grace Martin

Even though she has had a brother for the past fourteen years of her life, sophomore Grace Martin’s parents don’t see their daughter as a typical sibling. With the diagnosis of autism on her brother at an early age, they call her an “only child with a sibling.”

In a lot of ways, she is an only child. She is the only child to bring home a report card every quarter and the only child with a curfew. In other ways, she feels like part of a family with a lot of kids because of the lack of attention her parents give her. The attention naturally goes to her 13- year-old severely autistic brother, Walter.

“My favorite thing about Walter is that he seems so happy,” Grace said. “My dad always says that the person least affected by Walter’s autism is Walter.”

Walter attends a special needs program at Shawnee Mission North. Due to autism, Walter is unable to speak, read, do math or take core classes.

“Unlike some severely autistic kids, he is pretty social, and likes to be around people,” Grace said. “A lot of them are routine driven and have something that they constantly like to be doing or carrying. Walter used to like plastic fish, but now he always carries a basketball.”

Having an autistic brother has caused Grace to go through many scary situations. One time, after being turned away for less than ten seconds, Walter managed to get into Grace’s dads’ bathroom cabinet and put a razor blade in his mouth. Another time when taking a nap with his dad, Walter got up and wondered out of the house and was lost for two hours.

When not having to save him from putting objects in his mouth, Grace enjoys curling up and watching Disney movies with Walter. The siblings have a bond over their love for Disney movies.

“Though it can get annoying and really frustrating to have a sibling with a mental disability, I wouldn’t want him any other way,” Grace said. “Because then he wouldn’t be the same Walter I’ve grown up with and always loved.”

Chris Melvin

A nine-year old has taught junior Chris Melvin more than any other person who is close to him. He has helped him realize what a true blessing is and has also allowed him to open his eyes to anyone with a disability. However, Jack Melvin isn’t your average nine-year old, he has a disorder called Down syndrome.

“I worry about him a lot because I know he has a ton of potential and is a great kid,” Chris said. “But it’s not always easy for society to see that.”

Jack attends Briarwood Elementary school, where he has a para to help him throughout the day. Twice a week, he sees a speech therapist, once a week he sees a music therapist and once a week he sees an occupational therapist to help him with his fine motor skills.

Chris says one of the biggest challenges of having Jack as a brother is spending time with him. It is hard for Jack to understand that Chris is busy with homework and extra curriculars and doesn’t always have extra time to play video games with him.

“I feel bad about it, but at the same time he gets way too obsessive,” Chris said. “His little obsessions are what is difficult.”

Chris doesn’t let the fact that his brother is disabled be a bad thing. He explains that sometimes if he mentions his brother has Down syndrome to someone and they say sorry, that it is very hard to react to.

“It’s hard to react to that because there’s really nothing to be sorry about,” Chris said. “Jack is an awesome brother. I never have once wished he could be normal because normal is boring.”

Hannah Earley

By the press of a button, junior Hannah Earley’s younger brother Mitchell’s love of baking is possible. This button isn’t on an electric mixer though, the mixer is plugged into an outlet on the button.

Due to a condition called cerebral palsy, Mitchell’s muscles don’t function properly, causing him to not be able to do the normal tasks of baking. He is unable to control an electric mixer, stir a spoon or ice a cake. Even though Mitchell doesn’t get the full effect of cooking from pressing the button, his face lights up as if there is no difference.

Mitchell is unable to control his own muscles causing him to need a wheelchair. He is also visually impaired and his brain operates slower than normal.

“Anyone who knows him sees him as a funny, smart and kind child,” Hannah said. “His disability is hard to cope with but we all love him and I would do anything for him. He is my best friend.”

Mitchell is an eigth grader at Indian Hills Middle School (IHMS) and will be attending SM East next year. He has a para to help him eat because he is not able to feed himself because of his muscles.

His disability makes a huge impact on how the Earley family lives their lives. When house-hunting they have to look for a house with no stairs, and a lot of open space for Mitchell to get by in his wheelchair. Also, they have a special van with a ramp so that its easier for Mitchell to get in and out of the car as opposed to being lifted into it.

Vacations are very difficult to go on because it’s hard for him to fly, and the hotel has to be handicap accessible. Mitchell loves to go to his Grandma’s house in Topeka, but getting into the house is very difficult because it has steep narrow stairs which is hard for Mitchell to get up because of his wheelchair.

Having a family member in a wheelchair has caused a few dramatic moments for the Earley household. By mistake once Hannah’s mother, Teresea Earley, forgot to put the break on Mitchell’s chair and he fell off the porch face-first. A similar event happened with a para at Highlands Elementary school when Mitchell was at recess.

“I was in sixth grade and I remember everyone was talking about it,” Hannah said. “It was so scary, but then I heard he was okay.”

Mitchell has really opened the Earley family eyes to really appreciate what means most in life. Teresea can’t even imagine what life was like before handicap accessible buildings and without all of the technology Mitchell uses.