Fiancé

Brandon was engaged to be married to his beloved Monika through their early adulthood and until she passed away in 1996. He still misses her.

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Working Hard

Brandon spends lots of time thinking and planning his art. He sees scenes or pictures that inspire him and then he paints. We believe he is imposing a sense of structure and control in his life, which is amazingly perfect. Through it all, he is sweet and happy. We admire him enormously!

Surgery is scheduled for August 10th with his beloved Dr. Donovan for RRP and he will begin a preventative round of chemotherapy on August 24th for the currently undetectable bladder cancer. I believe that his creative expression through his art is an important factor in his well being. He feels good and he is happy. What more could you ask for?

~ mum

I Can Confirm! (2nd in thread)

Not only can I confirm the fantastically loud music at home and the child labor, but my parents took Brandon and me to many music concerts, as well. Brandon's first concert was when he was SIX YEARS OLD! At that first one, we went to see the Eagles. Since he was a tiny 6 years old and it was SO late, the little guy fell asleep before the encore. When the first notes of the next song came blaring through the speakers, Brandon mumbled loudly, "turn it over daddy"! Apparently, he liked the flip side of the record better. I remember everyone around us thought that was the most adorable thing they had ever heard in their whole life. I loved every minute of it.

Rebecca

Music Guy (1st in thread)

Many times over the years we have gone through periods of housecleaning on Sunday morning to the sounds of 1970’s music no matter what decade we were in. The music (preferably vinyl) had to be played so loud that we couldn’t hear each other speak. We are in just such period now and Brandon loves it. Brandon grew up with music everyday. All day. Loud rock ‘n roll. Somehow, cleaning just goes more easily with Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Elton John, The Band, and some others cheering us on. His love of music is well founded.

~ mum

Stevie Gene and Bran-a-Bran

I admire my cousin for his honesty and sweetness but I depend on him for his tireless loyalty and love. He takes care of his people. I have come to realize that group of people is actually a very large crowd. However, I choose to believe that I am exceptional because he makes me feel that way. Part of my identity and personality is who I see reflected in his eyes...and thank goodness for that.

Brandon at the Open Door

While Brandon is at work he loves to visit me in my office at M Station. I can be sitting at my desk and I will look up and he will be standing at my door. As part of his volunteer role he believes it is his responsibility to make sure I am fulfilling my duties as site director. It is good to know that someone is keeping me on task. 

I love when I get to spend time with him and learn all I need to know and more about Brian Adams because he is a rocker just like Brandon.

Brandon loves his Open Door family and hates to miss a day. We miss him when he is not here. 

Tracey, Site Director, Open Door at M Station

 

Brandon at Work

Painting is resetting Brandon's priorities and expectations. He looks forward to the focused time and appreciates the structured control. Together we have created an art therapy dynamic with Brandon, although not entirely preplanned. His painting is truly a gift.

19th Street Meanderings

Just when I thought I had an understanding and acceptance … I was driving Brandon to work the other day traveling northbound on Lamar—Brandon was listening to The Eagles and I listening to NPR. We drove past the ramp to enter 15th Street and Brandon abruptly looked at me and asked, “Why are you going 19th Street today?” There are many complex and interesting implications to that question, not the least of which is I had NO idea that Brandon knew the names of streets on rarely used routes around town. Or pretty much any streets. Or cared. Also, 19th Street was changed to MLK when Brandon was three years old. I loved that this happened. I will pay attention, more closely.

-Mum

Hello from Maryhelen, sister and Webmaster

Hello, and welcome to Brandon's story page, where people who know my brother will submit anecdotes from their time with him. This way, people who have not had the privilege to meet him can get a taste of his specialness. I guess I should kick it off:

Brandon has been my go-to model since I began my photography career at eight years old. He has accommodated my every whim and posed as movie characters (one of my all time favorites was Mrs. Doubtfire), underwater swimmer, super hero, animals and an endless list of ideas that I have enlisted him to help me with. He has done so with kindness, although sometimes a begrudging endurance shows a little.