When parents learn about The Institutes program, they often ask how their other children will be affected. In a letter to The Institutes staff, a Japanese mother explains how her son became part of the solution for his brain-injured sister. She writes:
"Every time we were seen by The Institutes staff, we reported to you in detail how Asami had developed, but there is one thing which we left untold. With Asami’s graduation from the program just ahead, we believe we should tell you the following. That is about Ryosuke, her brother, and how he cooperated with Asami’s program and helped us in the past two years.
"As Asami did not have an apparent physical injury, it had been hard for us to find volunteers for patterning. For half a year until we could get volunteers, her seven-year-old brother helped us by taking Asami’s head for patterning. He worked desperately every day to pattern Asami, who moved wildly to resist. Not only did he help with patterning, but Ryosuke understood all the parts of the program and he always helped us positively for each session.
"He actually experienced all the crawling, creeping, running, and gymnastics himself, and he gave good advice to me about spotting Asami in brachiation by saying, "If you do it this way, it would be easier for you to spot." When my physical condition was bad or when he had time, Ryosuke helped us mainly with the physical program, and there were many occasions when he led Asami to reach a new record.
"He also helped us with the intelligence program by collecting materials and helping to make them.
"He was also considerate not to worry his parents about himself and was independent and responsible for all of his school life, for which his teacher gave him a high evaluation.
"Among many things, he helped us in daily life. The best was that he worked to keep the best possible environment for Asami to do her program. When he invited his friends to our house, he was really careful to not disturb her. For the events at school where families were also invited, Ryosuke voluntarily said to us, ‘You don’t have to come because Asami’s program is more important than the school event.’ We experienced many such occasions. When Ryosuke had to visit the hospital for his own treatment, he always apologized to us for taking our time. He also cooperated totally concerning our nutrition program.
"At the very beginning of the program, it was natural for a seven-year-old boy to be frustrated and he had complaints even when we explained to him why the program was needed for Asami. However, seeing Asami’s hard work and the changes in her, Ryosuke’s attitude also changed and he came to take it as a natural thing for a family member to cooperate with the program.
"He was on the side of his parents who were doing the program with Asami, and at the same time he was on the side of Asami who actually experienced the program. This made him a very good advisor for all of the program.
"We wanted you to know that the success of Asami is greatly due to her brother’s help and that we as parents thank Ryosuke for being such a sweet brother to Asami.
"Thank you very much again for all who have encouraged us. We are determined to work even harder for Asami’s continued improvement.
—Mrs. Satomi Ota, Japan
