Headcanons about Baran’s siblings.
In interviews Moafi has said that she sees Baran as a middle child. I imagine that she was #3 of 4 (possibly 3 of 5). Each sibling is about 2-3 years a part from each other (Baran is canonically 40). Due to her condition and the severity of it growing up, her other siblings were affected by Glass Child Syndrome to varying degrees.
Child 0 (1978) — The reason why their mom, Farah deferred her acceptance into med school. Her first attempt at having children. The child does not make it through the pregnancy.
Amir (44) — The eldest. He is the most affected by Glass Child Syndrome. Growing up he resented Baran & all the time her medical needs took up so in turn he was often cruel to her. His current relationship with Baran is rocky. He never tells this to her face but the reason he is a neurologist was because he wanted to help others like Baran. As he was in med school, residency and fellowship (neurology w a focus in seizure disorders — none of his family know about the fellowship) his perspectives toward her and her epilepsy shifted. He learns from his patients and his colleagues & mentors. He listens to the heartfelt stories and struggles of living with this condition during medical conferences. Amir also writes well renowned research papers about epilepsy under a pseudonym or as a collective, never his own name. Sometimes he tells his patients about her. He’ll share that his sister is the reason why he got into the profession. He tells them how far she has come and is now working as interim ED chief at PTMC. He is proud of her. Amir tells them she is a great doctor. He says these things with affection and love. Sometimes he admits that he was a shit older brother (but never says this to Baran herself). He still acts cold toward her in person due to his guilt; he would rather have her hate him than face his own guilty conscience. They don’t talk much. He’s a huge football (soccer) fan and occasionally moonlights as a DJ.
Sareh (42) — She has some resentment toward her parents and privately sided with Amir growing up. she maintained a neutral to positive relationship with Baran. She goes into medicine as a nurse eventually becoming a Nurse Practitioner. She lives in Michigan and was an alumni of the University of Michigan. She has 3 kids (twins + another) and a husband. Her husband is Hmong. She likes going to hardcore punk shows in her free time.
Baran (40)
Karim (37) — He is gentle. He’s also a bit fruity. At 16 he comes out to Baran with his own secret — his bisexuality; she is the first person he tells. At the time of the reveal he is secretly dating another boy at school, a senior. She was commuting to undergrad during that time he and Baran grew closer; he still in high school, she living at home. After he comes out they become very close. They had a good relationship previously but not super close. She stands in his corner when he finally comes out to their parents. Baran has a plan and her arguments/defense ready (Karim jokes that she would’ve made a fine lawyer too) as she knows the chance is very high their parents would take the news poorly. He does not have many negative feelings toward her regarding the neglect of his parents; at least not towards Baran. In fact, he was a bit of a black sheep so less attention meant he could get away with more. He has always known Baran with her seizures and doesn’t see her any less. Over the years he has picked up the toll that her disorder has on her. He does not go into healthcare instead he chose technology and computer science. He built his own computer at 14. His favorite Asian cuisine is Japanese food.
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