"We" are not alone.
Who are "we".
"We" is the mother that wonders how she'll ever be able to raise her child with the skills he needs in this world when his brain and body won't aide in this demand.
"We" is the child whose sibling can go from hugging to hitting in less time then it takes to blink an eye. "We" is the same child that understands this behavior is beyond their siblings control, but at the same time can't help but feel that their sibling "never gets in trouble for doing bad things".
"We" is the newly married into family member that really doesn't understand what is going on and feels totally inept when it comes to actively participating in the life of the family member with special needs.
I could go on and on about who all "we" is. Instead, I want to direct you to a blog presented by the Sibling Support Network. Here, you will be able to have a small glimpse of the world through people who have siblings with special needs.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the stories posted on this page. To often the siblings of a child with special needs are forgotten. Although parents are offered assistance and support, most people don't realize the struggles and sense of responsibility faced by the siblings of the same child.
I watch each day as my two older children face a greater sense of responsibility then any child should face. I see the struggle within them. Their longing for the freedom most children their age get, while feeling guilty that they'd want anything that would take away from meeting the needs of their younger brother. I see their love and compassion for their younger brother, even as they are tired from their day of helping avoid meltdowns and uncontrollable fits. I see their working each day to provide their younger brother with a calm environment, and their despair when despite their best efforts, he still "loses it".
Please, take a moment to go to the following website and peer through the eyes of someone that has a sibling with special needs.
Sibling Stories
