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Courtney MacDonald and Keith
I was 2 1/2 years old when my baby brother Robert "Keith"
MacDonald was born, so naturally medical problems were of no concern to me. I was too excited at the thought of having a playmate! As I grew older I became more aware
of Keith's difficulties and what set him apart from other children his age. But since he was MY brother, in my head it was never he that was different, it was simply that everyone
else wasn't as special. This didn't prevent me from having an almost maternal instinct for my brother, I looked out for him constantly and he returned this service by always
reading my moods and knowing when I needed a hug. Keith has an extensive vocabulary but it is sometimes difficult to make out what he is saying, I was always so proud because I always knew what he was saying, I could
understand him better than my parents. I recently moved away from home to go to University, I was very anxious to leave Keith, but I soon realized he needs his independence from me as much
as I need mine from him. We speak on the phone regularly and my visits home are that much more special. I do not know what kind of person I would be if I didn't have my brother in my life.
Keith has taught me more about compassion and unconditional love than I ever could have learned on my own. He is a very brave young man, who undergoes medical procedures, and has
put up with countless numbers of medications and their side effects. I love my brother more than anything, and he will always remain a huge part of my life.
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