I Will Carry Cooper For You Mom

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Sawyer has started this new thing where he makes sure Cooper is included in everything we do.

I’ll say…’we are going swimming tomorrow’. And he will immediately say…’can Cooper go too?’ It’s adorable. And most times the answer is yes.

‘Of course your brother can go.’ But sometimes there are things that Cooper simply cannot do.

Sawyer has a memory of going to the fair last summer that he talks about often.

Last night he asked me….’MOM, can we go to the fair soon?’ And I said…’yes, but we have to wait until summer.’

And per the usual he said to me…’can my brother go?’ And this time I told him no.

His face immediately fell. ‘Cooper can’t go with us buddy.’

And I went onto explain how the fair will be too scary for him. ‘Too many sounds and people for Cooper.’

He thought about that for a minute and then looked up at me and said….’is that because he has ‘tism?’ And I said ‘yes, Cooper’s autism makes things harder for him but it also means that you get to do really special things with just your mom and dad.’

And he asked again, ‘Can we please bring Cooper? I want my brother to go.’

Again I said, ‘probably not bud. Cooper would really have a hard time and would probably end up getting really sad.’

And this barely three year old looked up at me and said…

’I’m getting bigger mom. And someday I will be able to carry Cooper when we go places so you don’t have too.’

I just stared at him.

A million emotions flooded me.

The first one was love.

This baby is so full of love for his brother. He is kind and sweet and smart.

At age 3 he understands my struggles at times to care for Cooper. That is pretty amazing.

The second was anger.

I had the typical I hate autism flash. Why does my 3 year think carrying his 5 year old brother is even an option? Why does he even know what autism is?

I hate that his life is harder because of it. Yes, I know I am raising a loving, empathetic, amazing child. That’s a fact.

But I still hate that Sawyer’s life is different because of autism. He misses out on things. He spends time at appointments and therapies and sees things I believe a baby shouldn’t have to see.

But that’s inevitable.

The third was sadness.

I hate that Sawyer has and shows this undying love for his brother and Cooper doesn’t pay him any attention. I wish Sawyer could have that bond returned to him.

I wish he could have that amazing friendship with his brother. Or that Sawyer’s big brother could and would protect him. It would never happen at this point. That’s hard to swallow.

And the fourth was straight up fear.

Sawyer has no idea the truth behind that statement…‘someday I will be able to carry my brother so you don’t have too.’ Or the responsibility that might actually be put on him to care for his brother after I am gone.

Someday Jamie and I are going to have to actually decide who will take care of Cooper after we are gone. We will have to apply for guardianship. And put it in our will. We will have to pick a person.

Will it be Sawyer? I have no idea. But lord that is a scary thought right now.

Sawyer continued to stare at me as all of these emotions flooded through me. I told him he will never have to carry his brother alone.

We will do it together. And he laughed and off he ran to watch Curious George.

That conversation really shook me up.

It’s just sad I guess. Cooper has autism. I get that. I accept that.

We all do. He is a perfectly wonderful, amazing, and joyful little boy.

He is the love of so many peoples lives. But I don’t think I could even define or begin to explain how autism affects every part of our lives. How it affects us as parents. And now as a brother.

We will never be the same again.

Maybe we are better. Stronger even. Who knows.

And I feel like it’s fine that it’s hardened me and Jamie. We can handle it. But leave the kids out of it. Right?

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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7 Comments

  1. miriamgwynne on February 11, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Oh wow. From the mouths of babes. ((Hugs))



    • Avatar photo findingcoopersvoice on February 15, 2016 at 8:46 pm

      Right! So sweet.



  2. NickyB. on February 12, 2016 at 3:25 am

    Totally made me cry. I remember when my son was 5 and we tried to take him to the fair on a weekday morning. it was still too much for him and we left after 30 minutes. Now at age 11, he loves the fair and can’t wait to go every year. This post totally made me think about my daughter and how she will one day have to look after her brother. I’m praying she will not consider it a burden.



  3. Cyn on February 14, 2016 at 1:37 am

    I hear ya…my Autistic son has a sister 3 years younger. She loves his so much and at times is like another mom to him. When he was younger I sometimes wondered if he liked her baby toys more then her. She hates it when if she sees him at school he literally runs the opposite way and hurts her feelings. Is it fair?No. But she REALLY LOVES her brother. Empathy….understanding… it’s okay to be different….responsibility. That’s what she learns from having him as an older brother. She reminds us everyday about unconditional love and fights for him at school and defends him to us. Her relationship with him has made her a stronger person as she navigates the social dynamics of kindergarten. She has leadership skills that are developed at a younger age. So yes I am worried about the burden on her and what she misses because of him….but what about what she has gained.



  4. Maureen on December 9, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    Thank you for sharing, Kate.?



  5. James Patrick Shaw on December 9, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    My cousin Mike was born with Down’s Syndrome about 1960, when most children with Down’s were relegated to homes for disabled children once they were old enough (about 5 I think). His mother decided that they would keep him and raise him as long as possible, even though she and her husband were in ministry that had heavy demands.
    Mike lived at home until he was over 18, at which time he helped his parents pick out a good residential community nearby… and where he lived until he passed at 55 years. His mother still lives and rejoices at the wonderful life her son had in spite of his disabilities.
    Have faith and trust that the goodness you see in your younger son will carry through… he doesn’t get it from nowhere… he has learned from his mother.



  6. Kazza on December 11, 2018 at 5:17 am

    Beautiful boys.