|
Family Support >>> |
||
| SibsConnect | ||
|
April 2007
Have
a disabled sibling? SibsConnect is here to help!
Living
with a disabled sibling can be tough. I know what I'm talking about.
That's why I am working with the Genetic Alliance and NBIA Disorders
Association to start a discussion forum for kids and teens whose
brothers or sisters suffer from rare and chronic, life-threatening
illnesses. At
SibsConnect, we have one purpose: To let other kids talk about their
feelings for their disabled sibling. Why is this important? Because if
you keep all of your emotions bottled up, you will go crazy! Why did we
create SibsConnect? Because we care. My
9-year-old brother, Kevin, has NBIA. He can't walk or talk, but he is
still the best brother ever! And until you see his smile, you haven't
lived. I love my brother a lot, but there are times when I feel that my
plans get ruined because of him. Like if I want to go to the mall with
friends, but my mom can't take me because she has to take care of Kevin,
I won't be able to go. The same can happen when I want to attend some
school events. There
are other ways a disabled sibling can affect you socially. I have one
really good friend named Kelsey. She is a really special person because,
unlike my other friends, she isn't nervous around Kevin. She talks to
him, she tells him jokes, and she even gently teases him about his hair.
But other people are the problem. Let's
pretend that you are at school. A kid from your second period class
walks up to you and says, "I never knew you had a brother!"
You are obviously dreading that awkward silence ahead of you. You answer
all of her questions and then she asks, "Why doesn't he go to this
school?" Boom. There is no avoiding it, so you might as well tell
her: He has NBIA. She looks confused. Then she starts shooting off
personal questions. What can you do? You could politely tell this girl
that you don't want to talk about it. Or you could answer the questions
to settle her mind. Either way, you might end up slightly embarrassed.
It's OK for this to happen! You just have to think to yourself that God
has sent your family an angel, and you should be proud of it. You
and I are alike in a lot of ways. We are both struggling with a disabled
sibling, and our lives are different. What are we supposed to do about
it? Absolutely nothing but chat about it! At SibsConnect, we hope to
have forums for your anger, sadness, anxiety and happiness. And, of
course, we are here if you just want to chat. If you ever want to join SibsConnect, e-mail me at SibsConnect@aol.com. And if your parents want to help, please ask them to contact my mom, Wanda Fox, at wfox@nc.rr.com. I hope that SibsConnect can help you a lot in the future! |
||
