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”
  • Family and flourishing together
  • The complexity of identity
  • Sibling and caregiving relationships
  • Range of Motionby Brian Trapp

S10 E9:

 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

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Brian Trapp is the author of Range 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/

__

We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!

Connect with me:

Thanks for listening! 

Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Amy Julia Becker. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Amy Julia Becker och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.