"It's very empowering and takes the weight off their shoulders," says Addison Beck about the benefits of Sibshops support groups for siblings of children with disabilities. A special sibling herself, Ms. Beck coordinates Sibshops in the central Maryland area in partnership with several Arc chapters, school district offices, and other service organizations as part of a collaborative effort that began in the spring of 1998.
Q&A ON GROWING UP WITH A SIBLING WITH A DISABILITY with Mary McHugh
What are some of the challenges faced by children with siblings with disabilities? What advice do you have for them?
Children who grow up with a brother or sister with a disability learn early that life is unfair: many of their activities will be disrupted by their siblings; they have to learn that often the child with the disability must come first; they must face the fact that not everyone will want to be their friend because of their siblings with disabilities; they must learn to accept the fact that people will often stare at their brothers and sisters when they make noises or are conspicuous in public; and they must accept the fact that the family has to spend money on the care of the child with the disability that can affect the family's ability to pay for camp or vacations or even college.
