The world we live in is often structured in a way that favors neurotypical ways of thinking, but what the system has failed to portray is that some minds paint with colors that others cannot see. For far too long, we have captured differences in a universal form, leaving neurodivergent individuals to feel like they don’t belong. We often overlook the fact that specialists no longer see neurodivergence as a disease, but as a distinct way of learning and being—one that can only become a handicap in a world that is not yet open to difference.

Education is key in this transformation, and author and children’s educator Raynie Chan believes that families should be the first anchors that provide stability and foundation for neurodivergent loved ones. In her debut work, Brother Bird, she published a children’s book in honor of her brother’s memory and as a loving guide for families across the neurodivergent spectrum.

Inspiration

The Bohol native writer is a younger sister to a neurodivergent brother. “To my brother, Raymond, my bird brother, whose light and innocence shone through a difficult time when the world was not yet inclusive and who still persevered to love. You are my inspiration and the very heart and soul of this book,” Raynie wrote on the last page of the book.

Raynie talked about the struggles she faced growing up in a family that, while well-intentioned, didn’t fully understand her brother’s needs. “I didn’t know and it’s unfair to him,” she admitted, her voice tinged with guilt. “I didn’t understand Raymond then.” For years, her family unknowingly struggled to give him the support he needed, not realizing he was on the spectrum.

Raynie confessed how difficult it was to share the same space with her brother, whose differences were clear to everyone but the family. “He had his own world,” she said. “As a child, Raymond had a special corner where he would play with clams, drilling holes in them, attaching a string and pretending they were ‘roosters’ in his own version of a cockfight,” she said. “He was different, yes, but we didn’t know how to help him or communicate with him.”

By the time Raymond’s family was ready to connect with him in a way they needed, he had already passed away in 2020, leaving behind a painful void. It was Raynie who stayed with his brother during the two months he was hospitalized. She spoke for him to the doctors and held his hand when things were too difficult for his brother.

“It took us so long to realize how sweet and expressive my brother was because we rejected him all the time,” she said. Despite the pain of losing her brother before she could mend, Raynie discovered a deeper understanding—one she now shares through “Brother Bird.” This book is a heartfelt tribute to her late brother and a love letter to the entire neurodivergent community.

Process

Early on, Raynie was consumed by a question that persisted throughout her creative process: “How do I write about my wounds?” It took months of research, reflection and writing workshops before she could shape her thoughts into a children’s book that spoke with both tenderness and insight.

In the early days of writing, not a single page went by without Raynie shedding a tear. “We want ‘Brother Bird’ to be the face of neurodivergence books,” she said. The bird, illustrated by Cebuano artist Bunny Bailoses, was a perfect reflection of her brother, Raynie explained – symbolic of his childhood fascination with seashells, which he would pretend were roosters. To make the story more accessible and kid-friendly, Raynie chose a bird instead, a creature that captured the same spirit but with softer wings. The bird in her story is also an endemic species, found in abundance throughout the country. “Like the bird we see every day, autism is more common than we realize,” she said.

“Brother Bird” sold out during its pre-launch at the Manila International Book Fair in September, touching hearts and sparking conversations everywhere. Raynie, with a heart full of gratitude, was overjoyed to be surrounded by families who shared similar experiences with neurodivergent loved ones, finding connection, healing and hope through their shared stories.

She is happy to see “Brother Bird” live out its purpose as a guide, a hug and a celebration for families learning to embrace each other’s uniqueness, love unconditionally and fly together in their own way.

The best-selling children’s book “Brother Bird” will have its official launch in Cebu on December 7, 2024 at Ayala Center Cebu, hosted at Anselmo’s Bread and Cafe in the New Wing, Level 1, from 3 to 5 PM “The program will be short , but interactive,” said Raynie. “We have invited two specialists to speak and we will welcome groups and book clubs to join us. It will also be a special day where we will donate a significant portion of the pre-launch proceeds to our chosen foundation, Reach.”

Despite the painful memory of her brother, Raynie continues to advocate for neurodivergence, believing that no child should ever be asked to fold their wings simply because they don’t look like everyone else’s.