My parents told me that when Bryn was four and I was three, he would only repeat words he heard from television shows. During recess, he would stand in the corner, silent and alone. He ate only rice with meat, no greens, and a few fruits without strong flavors. My parents would be too tired to make separate meals, so the whole family ate what Bryn did.

When we were on a family trip Bryn started to become frustrated over being in the car for too long. So we parked next to a busy sidewalk and all of a sudden he unbuckled his seatbelt and sprinted into the crowd. I ran after him. Mixed feelings of anger and worry filled my head as I screamed his name. My greatest fear is that someone would take advantage of him. After what seemed like hours, I caught up to him and wrapped my arms around him so tightly that he wouldn't be able to get away.

Bryn was my parents’ oldest son and greatest concern, so he was given the most attention. Lena and Jay Park had come from families of impoverished farmers and shopkeepers and slept in shanties twenty feet wide. After getting married they moved to New York for their children, but how was Bryn supposed to have a future when it was shadowed by the spectrum? To answer this, they expected me to work twice as hard. They compared me with others to motivate me. I felt as if I were carrying a weight that wasn’t mine, and I hated Bryn for that. I hated how different he was and questioned why God had put him in my life. 

Expensive bills would also start arriving, so we rented out our bedrooms, forcing me and Bryn to sleep on floor mats. Constant fighting filled the house. Mom would tell us to go into her room, and once the back-and-forth shrieking began I would clench Bryn’s arm and bury my face into his shirt until it was drenched with tears. My parents would ultimately divorce. Though that time seemed unbearable, the one thing that kept me going was Bryn. He was the only one smiling and would make silly sounds while singing, “Ehhh-oh.” I couldn’t read his thoughts exactly, but I knew that he was expressing contentment for having an affectionate family. Or he was asking what mom was making for dinner. 

Years later, my parents remarried after realizing they could raise us better if they worked together. Bryn’s character motivated me to volunteer at disabilities organizations and connect with mentally disabled children at my church. I noticed I was able to understand the children even if they were nonverbal or mute. For example, I was able to recognize when a child was having a food allergy reaction, because he would make the same expression that Bryn made when he was uncomfortable.

In addition to mentoring, I wanted to help improve the skills of those who are disabled. Bryn loves solving problems on his ipad, so I used my Game Design course to create “Bryn’s Expedition,” in which players solve problems that involve coordinated movements of their body. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a society in which those in need are given an equal opportunity to live productively.

People with mental disabilities are always thought to be in need, but the opposite is true. We “normal people” are in need of those who are mentally challenged. Bryn’s simpler way of seeing things has made me realize that joy is not attained through success, money, or power. My brother has no desire for riches or fame. He only wants to receive love from his family and friends. Bryn has helped me overcome selfish thinking and understand the meaning of compassion. He has taught me the importance of patience and that helping others is ultimately helping myself.