Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — At Clark Planetarium, curiosity is everywhere. From learning about the solar system to hands-on exhibits sparking with electricity, every corner is built to be explored. For brothers Riot, 16, and Kaos, 7, it is the kind of place where they can simply be kids. “Personally, I like the pinball machine. It’s just enjoyable to watch. The noise too ... it’s like a background noise. I love it,” said Riot.
A life that’s rarely been quiet
That comfort in chaos comes from a life full of noise and a full house. “We come from a family of 8, so yeah, we’re always loud,” said Riot. But what stands out most isn’t the noise, it’s how these brothers keep moving forward. Little brother Kaos loves sports and knows how to bounce back when life hits hard. “I got hit with the ball in the face. I fell down and my head hit the floor really hard. I just took a nap and I woke up and I’m fine,” he said. That resilience, they said, comes from experiencing both ups and downs. “Moving from different foster homes. If we’ve been there for more than a year, it’s hard to separate,” Riot said.
Finding strength in optimism
Through it all, Riot said he’s learned how to stay positive. “My dad says I have a superpower. It’s called optimism. I just try to see the bright side and it works most of the time,” he said. As the older brother, he takes that role seriously and always looking out for the others. “I try to advocate for them. If (Kaos) wants something, I say ‘go ask’ and if he doesn’t ask, I’ll ask for him,” Riot said. That includes their younger brother Mayhem,4, who is currently living with another foster family. “He has Angelman syndrome and he’s nonverbal but you can tell what he wants and when he wants it,” Riot jokes. Even when the boys are apart, their connection remains strong. “I only see him Tuesdays, it sucks, but I know he’s somewhere good,” Riot said.
Hoping for a family to choose them
Despite everything they have been through, these brothers still choose optimism. They are hoping for a family who will choose them. “Somebody that just understands and that’s willing to work with us. That’s what I would want,” Riot said.
How you can help
The brothers would love to find a family willing to adopt them together or one committed to keeping that connection strong through visits or regular communication. To learn more about their story, foster care, or adoption, visit RaiseTheFuture.org.
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