11 / 12
[
IX
]
discussed. The workshop focuses on the parents’ feelings and
expectations they have of the siblings.
4. “Peeking into the future” – lecture and discussion with adults
sisters:
The seminar “Peeking into the future” enables parents to meet
adult sisters, aged 23-25 years old. The sisters relate their life
experiences and subjective experiences as sisters to a brother or
sister with disabilities during various stages in life – children,
adolescents and adults.
The sisters discuss the influence that special siblinghood had and
has on them, on their lives, their family life (the family coming
together around the special child, or parents divorcing), the “tests”
that the sister's potential mates go through – how they respond to
and will they accept the sibling with disabilities, and the career
choices they made as adults.
They bring attention to the responsible “role” that siblings tend to
take on and told about their need to protect their sibling with
disabilities. They convey to the parents a message that it is
important to encourage the other siblings to play with their friends
and follow their interests.
The sisters all said that it is important for families to talk openly
with each other.
All concluded that while there is no doubt that special siblinghood
was and always will be an important part of their lives, they also
emphasized that apart from it they have a full life and a family of
their own.
This publication opens a window to understanding the need for
programs for siblings of children with disabilities, to support them
as they face the uniqueness of their lives.