Michelle Dee: My Ausome Brothers Taught Me How To Be Understanding And Considerate?

For Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, her universe has always revolved around her two "ausome" brothers one younger and the other, older whom she calls Kuya.

- CHING M. ALANO

"All my life, my experience has always been having to understand and having to adapt to my brothers on the spectrum," says Michelle who has always been open about her two "ausome" brothers, proudly talking about them in interviews.

For those who may not know it, Michelle repeats what it means to be "on the spectrum." It refers to one who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

"It was unavoidable that when I was growing up in a province in the US, there were those who did not understand what autism was," Michelle sadly reveals. "So, I had to grow up fighting for and defending my brothers who were heavily bullied. They were very misunderstood." Michelle took it upon herself to take care of her brothers and would take them to the park for some fresh air and exercise. "They say exercise is good for persons with autism."

We ask Michelle, "How are your brothers now?" "They're very good," she replies with a twinkle in her eye.