Mormon Wives’ Demi faces backlash for ‘blaming bad behaviour’ on brother with Down syndrome
She called her actions a 'trauma response'
Mormon Wives’ Demi Engemann is getting backlash after revealing she “couldn’t take up space” because her brother, who has Down syndrome, has needs that came first in the family. She opened up in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives finale about her childhood.
She revealed that her brother had a lot of medical complications, and claimed that her feelings of not wanting to take up space is a “trauma response.” Demi said: “People don’t see that struggle and see that battle but that’s been a very real thing for me.”
Demi also referred to it as “Glass Child Syndrome.” A “glass child” refers to a sibling of someone with disabilities or a chronic illness. It’s called “glass” not because they’re fragile but because they can feel as if they’re see-through or made of glass.
@demilucymay_ Never trust a man with an extra chromosome 🧐 #downsyndrome #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #happiness #lucky
People are now criticising Demi for what they believe is her blaming her behaviour on her brother’s condition. One person said: “She is looking for any way out to shift the blame from herself- she is not above throwing anyone under the bus to distract the negativity off her.”
Another wrote: “Growing up with someone with disabilities, she should’ve learn empathy and compassion, and she lacks both…” However, someone else said: “I actually think she is allowed to speak about her own experience regarding being neglected.”
@demilucymay_ Never trust a man with an extra chromosome 🧐 #downsyndrome #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #happiness #lucky
Demi posts TikTok videos about her brother, including one where she wrote: “Checking to see if my brother has Down syndrome or if he’s faking it to avoid paying rent, continue to have cute girls take him to do fun things, and forever be treated like the baby of the family.”
She also has an older sister, but rarely talks about her family. Now, she’s got her own family-of-five, including her husband, Bret Engemann, and three children, stepsons Cole and Rome, and her eldest daughter, Maude, from a previous marriage.
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