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An SMS changed our lives: 'Brother. do. you. love. me.'

When Manni received a troubling text from Reuben during lockdown, Manni decided to remove him from the care system and embark on a loving journey of brotherhood and recovery.

British brothers Manni and Reuben Coe have always been close and had fun together. But when Covid reached the UK Reuben, who has Down's syndrome, was living in a care home and things were hard. Unable to see family and friends during lockdown, he felt isolated and had become non-verbal, only expressing his thoughts and feelings through drawings. So when Manni received a troubling text from Reuben, Manni removed him from the care system to a cottage by the sea. There they spent their time walking, watching films and drawing - and reconnected as brothers on Reuben's road to recovery. Manni and Reuben have written a book called Brother. Do. You. Love. Me.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: May Cameron

(Photo: Manni and Reuben Coe. Credit: Eddy Pearce)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Tue 28 Feb 2023 03:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 27 Feb 2023 12:06GMT
  • Mon 27 Feb 2023 18:06GMT
  • Mon 27 Feb 2023 23:06GMT
  • Tue 28 Feb 2023 00:06GMT
  • Tue 28 Feb 2023 03:06GMT

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