Butt Paste and Teenage Growing Pains

Last week I took my brother Chris (read about his background here) to a doctors appointment. Having moderate/severe Cerebral Palsy, he requires total physical care, including diapering.

However, he can communicate with a special computer and has normal intelligence. I love the kid.

Although the appointment was to monitor his healing from a recent orthopedic surgery, I asked the doctor check out a groin/scrotal rash that had developed over the last 4 days.

As I took the diaper off his adolescent frame, I remember when I was a teenager and had to visit the doctor for a GYN exam.

I was mortified to be seen naked, scared that I would be told I was somehow defective, and dreaded any questions my mom would ask about the visit.

After hearing me ask the M.D. to check out his rash, Chris looked at me, rolled his eyes and pursed his lips. I could see that he was about as excited about this as I was at his age.

The doc said the rash was no big deal, just irritation from the diaper, and recommended Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Then he left the room so I could apply the ointment and put back on the diaper.

As I applied the butt paste with all the professionalism of a Student Nurse, my brother's manhood quickly stood at attention.

What do you say then? How about, "Oh, hey bro, sorry I gave you a woody." Yeah right.

I settled for, "Alright, almost done."

He looked down, and then looked away. I was suffocating on time, on the protracted seconds that refused to erase his red-faced embarrassment.

Then his diaper was on and we were done.

Some people feel sorry that my brother can't walk. Others are sad that he can't talk.

I mourn that he can't care for his most personal needs.