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- Michael Kutcher opened up about his relationship with his twin brother, Ashton Kutcher, to "Today."
- Michael, 43, recalled when Ashton revealed on national television that his twin had cerebral palsy.
- Michael said he was "angry" and "didn't want to be the face of CP."
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Michael Kutcher was very upset when his twin brother, Ashton Kutcher, revealed he had cerebral palsy.
In 2003, Ashton talked about his brother's disorder during a national TV interview despite Michael trying to hide it.
"I was very angry. Very angry. I remember speaking to him about it," Michael, 43, told "Today" Parents. "I didn't want to be the face of CP. I never talked about it."
Cerebral palsy is "a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture," according to the CDC. While symptoms vary from person to person, all people with cerebral palsy have problems with movement and posture.
Although he felt mortified by Ashton's revelation at first, Michael said he has since viewed it as a blessing.
"Chris did me the biggest favor he's ever done because he allowed me to be myself," Michael told "Today," referencing the actor's first name.
After the interview, Michael said he received a call from an Iowa woman who asked if he would speak about his life with cerebral palsy at a gala. Michael said he was hesitant at first but warmed up to the idea after he and the woman met over a cup of coffee.
"She had her 5-year-old daughter with her. A sweet little girl named Bella with a smile so bright and big," Michael told "Today." "Her cerebral palsy was quite severe and she couldn't talk."
Meeting Bella was the catalyst that sparked Michael's dive into public activism. He's currently involved with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
"I realized I needed to let go of the shame I felt and be a champion for people like Bella," he said. "I was finally ready to tell my story and I knew because of my twin, I'd have a big reach."
Ashton praised his brother's efforts to advocate and educate about cerebral palsy.
"My brother's daily actions remind me that life isn't about running around challenges - it's about running through them," Ashton told "Today." "Mike has a relentless work ethic and a deep compassion for others."
Michael told "Today" that he and Ashton were very close growing up, and Ashton would often defend him from bullies.
"I had all of the stereotypes that come with having a disability. I was called every name in the book on the playground. I had difficulty making friends," said Michael. "But I had Chris there to help me and support me."
He recalled one instance when he and Ashton were riding bikes, and a group of bullies began shouting an ableist slur.
"My brother picked a fight with them. He stood up for me. He wanted them to treat me with respect and that meant a lot," said Michael.
When Ashton was invited to attend sleepovers, he'd only go if Michael also could go.
"Most of the time they'd say yes, but sometimes they'd say no and Chris would go, 'Well, then I'm not coming,'" said Michael. "Chris would tell me, 'I wish I could take all of this off of you - and take it myself."