26 Mar Empowering Siblings: A Special Workshop at Empower Simcoe

Having a child with a disability understandably requires a substantial amount of time, energy, and resources, often affecting the family dynamic. Parents may not always be able to offer an equivalent amount of time to their other children who do not have special needs; moreover, these children very often take on more responsibilities and don’t always get to experience the fun and ease of being a child. They are expected to be more patient, understanding, and self-sufficient. These brothers and sisters experience a range of emotions, from loneliness to anger, embarrassment to frustration.

On a chilly P.A. Day in January, Empower Simcoe’s Family Support Program welcomed back the Sibshop program to 40 Fraser Court. Siblings of children with special needs came together for the first time in a long time to engage in interactive games, meaningful activities, crafts, a delicious pizza lunch, as well as a friendly donut eating competition.

Initially the atmosphere was quiet and uncertain, as this was all so unfamiliar to everyone; it didn’t take very long for the brothers and sisters present to joke around, laugh, and, open up to their fellow siblings.

While one of the main focuses of Sibshops is for sibs to have fun, other important goals include offering a safe space for siblings to share their experiences with their peers, discover they are not alone, and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with special needs.

One of the activities encouraged the exploration of various emotions: One sibling described being afraid when her brother got hurt at school and not knowing what to do.  Another sibling expressed feeling left out when her brother was able to attend special events while she had to stay home and do nothing. When describing the feeling of amazement, a sibling shared the time their brother discovered his talent.

Family Support Workers are committed to providing family-focused supports and Sibshops are one of the ways that brothers and sisters can be supported to feel seen, heard, and appreciated for who they are. We look forward to hosting many more Sibshops throughout the year.

-Written by Jessie Chronowski, Family Support Worker

An online survey conducted by the University of Washington (https://siblingsupport.org/university-of-washington-study-on-sibshops/) of adults aged 18-34 who had participated in Sibshops as children found that these workshops geared towards Siblings had a positive and enduring effect on participants into adulthood. Sibshops teach siblings coping strategies, increase the understanding of their sibs’ challenges as well as the likelihood that they will maintain a loving relationship with their siblings as they age together.