When a child grows up with a sibling with a disability, what defines their childhood? Author Brian Trapp reflects on life with his twin brother with cerebral palsy. Brian shares how his childhood was a source of unexpected gifts, deep connection, and lifelong formation. He joins Amy Julia Becker to consider:
Limits of labels like “glass child” and “mental age”
00:00 The Bond of Brotherhood: Growing Up with Disability 08:55 Glass Child Syndrome and Sibling Experiences 18:23 Analogies for Family Life with Disability 23:27 The Complexity of Identity within Relationships and Caregiving 32:07 Fiction vs. Memoir: Exploring Personal Narratives 35:31 Understanding Mental Age and Its Implications 40:23 Reimagining Disability: A House of Laughter
Brian Trapp is the author ofRange of Motion. He is director of Disability Studies at the University of Oregon, where he also teaches creative writing and edits the Northwest Review. His essay about being a sibling to his twin brother Danny was featured on NPR’s Here and Now. Find out more at: https://briantrappwriter.com/
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