When 3-year-old Olivia, who has Down syndrome, refused to brush her teeth, her 11-year-old brother Joseph stepped in with a creative game that turned a nightly battle into a tender ritual-then the internet took notice.
At a Glance
- Joseph turned tooth-brushing into a game so Olivia would cooperate
- Video shared by mom Lindsey Abbasy reached millions on TikTok
- Comments praise Joseph’s patience and call it the “highlight of my day”
- Why it matters: The viral moment challenges myths that siblings of disabled children “suffer,” showing instead how inclusion fosters compassion
Lindsey Abbasy, 41, from Lansing, Ill., captured the scene after Olivia shook her head at the toothbrush and insisted, “No – Joe Joe do it.” Joseph leaned in, made silly noises, and gently brushed while his sister giggled. The clip, posted to TikTok, has since drawn more than 12 million views and 1.8 million likes.
The Moment That Changed Bedtime
Lindsey says bedtime had become a struggle. Olivia, born with Down syndrome and a serious heart defect, spent much of her first year in hospitals. Brushing felt invasive, so Lindsey often asked Joseph to distract her while she cleaned the toddler’s teeth.
One evening Joseph asked, “Let me try.” He narrated the brush as a train, counted teeth like stars, and finished without tears. The next night Olivia rejected her mom outright, pointing to her brother. “Honestly, my heart just swelled,” Lindsey told News Of Losangeles. “His idea was so creative and demonstrated so much patience and care.”
From Family Footnote to Internet Sensation
Lindsey posts regularly about life with three kids, aiming to normalize disability and highlight everyday joy. She never expected this clip to explode. Within hours, comments flooded in:
- “He’s her person for forever ❤️”
- “Highlight of my day 🥲🥰”
- “This is the most precious thing I’ve seen all day!”
Messages arrived from parents who tried Joseph’s game and from teens saying the video inspired them to volunteer with special-needs programs. One nurse suggested Joseph consider pediatric dentistry. “The idea that my 11-year-old could teach someone else that lesson was just amazing,” Lindsey said.
Raising a Child With Down Syndrome: The Sibling Story
Abbasy wants the moment to counter outdated narratives. “Some people think siblings of a child with special needs ‘suffer,’ but our reality is the opposite,” she explained. “Olivia has brought out the very best in all of us.”
Joseph’s patience, she adds, isn’t exceptional in their household; it’s expected. He reads to Olivia, helps her pronounce new words, and celebrates every tiny milestone. Their 8-year-old sister, Emily, joins in, creating puppet shows to teach colors. Lindsey believes inclusion breeds empathy: “You never know how their kindness and creativity will shine.”
What Viewers Can Take Away
Abbasy hopes parents see the power of slowing down. “My son slowed down, made the task fun and allowed Olivia to participate,” she said. She also urges families to give kids real responsibilities, not token tasks, so gifts can surface naturally.
The video ends with Olivia clapping and Joseph offering a high-five. No lectures, no tears-just a brother and sister mastering a nightly chore together. “This video shows how far a little patience can go,” Lindsey added. “It also reminds us how valuable it is to involve children in ways that highlight their gifts.”
Key Takeaways
- A simple game turned a dreaded routine into a bonding ritual
- Viral response highlights public hunger for positive disability stories
- Siblings report feeling empowered, not burdened, by caregiving roles
- Parents credit inclusion for fostering creativity and compassion across ages
Since posting, Lindsey has received hundreds of direct messages from teachers requesting permission to show the clip in classrooms as a lesson in empathy. Joseph, meanwhile, has added “toothbrush trainer” to his chore chart-with Olivia requesting an encore every night.
