Elizabeth Blessing on September 13th, 2012

(This post first appeared on my blog at Open Salon on June 29, 2012 and was selected as an Editor’s Pick). My profoundly autistic brother, Bobby, was born on July 4. He is my wonderful Independence Day birthday guy who loves American cars from the 1950s, making grape jelly sandwiches, petting cats and going on [...]

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Elizabeth Blessing on April 27th, 2011

My 52-year-old autistic brother, Bobby, and I had a conversation a few months ago. It went like this . . . “Bobby, what are you thinking about?” “White-cat-meow.” He is sitting in his favorite reclining chair, staring at his fingers intently. He says the words quickly, running them together as if they were all one [...]

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Elizabeth Blessing on April 11th, 2011

Last July 4th was my brother’s 52nd birthday. Born on the day we celebrate our country’s freedom, Bobby did what many of us do each year on Independence Day. He ventured out into the community to join the locals in the area’s annual patriotic festival. Together, we strolled down the streets of the Old Town [...]

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