The Best Brother in the Shadows

Jordan has so much support. I have found articles in South Africa, France, England, India and even Serbia sharing her Project Unicorn story and how Born Just Right is launching a nonprofit so more kids have a chance to learn inclusive design.

What you may not know is one of Jordan’s biggest supporters is her almost 15-year-old brother, Cameron. As this glitter-laden story has spread, I’m so amazed as I watch Cam react to it all.

He’s jealous. He admits that much. He has every right to feel that way. He tells me he jokes to his friends that his 11-year-old sister is already more successful than he will ever be. Of course, I reply that he can be as successful as he wants if he chooses to focus and work hard. There’s no age limit to success.

The amazing thing is, Cameron isn’t bitter. At least he hasn’t revealed any bitterness toward his sister’s success. He has shown pride. This older brother who often clashes with his sister is so very proud. When he found out Adam Savage (best known from Mythbusters) tweeted about Jordan, he was just as excited as the rest of us. Maybe even more. Savage did one of Cam’s favorite TED Talks of all time, so that added an extra level of awesome for him.

I mentioned yesterday how there’s no guide on how to raise a child on the Internet. There’s also no guide that explains how to raise a kid whose sibling garners national attention. There’s no guide on how much attention you give to a teenager who wants to be left alone… But I felt it was worth mentioning Cameron’s awesomeness here on this site. We talk a lot about Jordan and raising her to be strong. But being Jordan’s brother has led Cameron down a path where he’s growing up strong with some really wonderful perspectives that make him an extra kind guy… almost man. (Eek.)