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Khloé Kardashian has opened up about why she decided to become the primary caretaker for her ex Tristan Thompson’s 18-year-old brother, Amari.
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star spoke about the family dynamic on a new episode of her Khloé in Wonder Land podcast, where she shared what had happened in the lead-up to her decision.
She said it came down to how busy her ex Tristan is and she piled on the praise for Amari, saying how she 'loves' having him as part of the family.
Speaking about the teenager's health conditions, Khloé shared: “He is severely disabled. Amari has LGS [Lennox-Gastaut syndrome], which is a form of epilepsy, and he is disabled; he can’t walk or talk. He's never been able to talk.”
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Previously, Tristan and Amari's mother Andrea was the 'sole caretaker' for Amari in Canada.
Tragically, she passed away in January 2023.
Khloé said many people question why she would help as she and Tristan are no longer together, but she explained that she was good friends with Andrea.
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“People are always like, why did I do that? Me and Tristan aren't together, why would I take on helping with Amari?” she said. “But when I met Tristan and his family, oh my gosh, like nine, almost 10 years ago, which is crazy. When I met them, Andrea, Tristan’s mum and I, we became such good friends.”
The Good American founder continued: “I would help her with Amari medically. She would have questions. She would need connections to certain doctors, and I would help with that. So I was very much involved in all of his medical appointments when Andrea was here.”
“Me being in a relationship or not with Tristan, I still have this family that I've spent so many years with, that I have such connections with that, my relationship with Andrea has nothing to do with Tristan, and my commitment to her has nothing to do with Tristan, and Amari deserves someone who will be there for him, take care of him, provide a great lifestyle for him and so Amari deserves my love and care, regardless of where me and Tristan stand,” she insisted.
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Following Andrea's death, Khloé, the rest of her family and Tristan 'took Amari back with us to the States'.
She talked about how Tristan's life was 'not ideal' for caring for Amari, and it did not provide the stability the teenager needed.
“Tristan is in the NBA and he is in a different state, literally, every other day or every few days, and it’s just not conducive for Amari to be on that many planes,” Khloé explained.
“Amari has a handful of seizures a day with the type of epilepsy that he has.”
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Khloé made the decision for Amari to remain in Los Angeles with her and her two children, daughter True, seven, and son Tatum, three.
“I have chosen to take care of him and be there for him because it’s not good that he travels,” the star revealed.
She said the sunshine is also helpful, adding: “California weather is so good for Amari and I just love having Amari be a part of my family.”
Khloé revealed she has also hired the help of two 'sensational caretakers' to provide the best care for Amari.
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“We just want to provide Amari with the best, most beautiful life that we know how. And he deserves that,” the mum-of-two said.
Khloé also stressed how 'important' it is for her kids 'to be exposed to all different types of people in the world'.
She continued: “I think it teaches everyone compassion, understanding. It opens up their minds to seeing, 'Wow, Amari is disabled, sure, but he’s also just like us at the same time', and I love seeing how Amari lights up when he’s around the kids. He’s just such an amazing young man.
“He can't verbally talk, but if you know him well enough, he can definitely express himself, and you see the glimmer in his eyes. And he's just such an amazing, amazing young man. And I'm so proud and honoured that I have Amari in my life.”
Tristan initially filed for temporary guardianship of Amari in September 2023. He claimed their father, Trevor Thompson, had nothing to do with his son since 2014.
Khloé and Tristan split for good in 2021 after he fathered a child with another woman.
Topics: Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Khloe Kardashian, Parenting, Celebrity
Jen Thomas