Sibshops at Lutheran Children’s Hospital

Quite often people with developmental disabilities have siblings. They are usually around the same age, grow up together, and ultimately, live most of their lives being around one another. So how are these siblings affected by this when most of the attention is usually on the brother or sister with the disability?

For the past two years, Sibshops, provided locally through Easter Seals Arc and Lutheran Children’s Hospital, have been thriving at the Mad Anthony Children’s Hope House located on the campus of Lutheran Children’s Hospital. Sibshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in-between. They reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have much to offer one another – if they are given a chance.

At these relaxed, four-hour sessions kids are empowered to be themselves. Sibshops provide the opportunity for siblings to express what they’re feeling and how they fit into the family, while also arming them with tools and resources that they can take back and share with the family. They are also a spirited mix of new games (designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing to a wide ability range), new friends, and discussion activities.

On April 16, Mad Anthonys Children's Hope House will be presenting a Sibshop, a workshop for siblings of children with disabilities. Sibshops give children an opportunity to meet other siblings of children with disabilities, and learn about their own siblings' special needs. This Sibshop is for children ages 7 to 12.

Sibshops are not therapy, group or otherwise, although their effect may be therapeutic for some children. Sibshops focus on the well-being of the family member most likely to have the longest-lasting relationship with a special-needs sibling, while providing a casual opportunity to meet and discuss the goods and bads, to find out how others handle similar situations and to learn more about the implications of their siblings’ special needs.

There is a $10.00 fee for this event, which includes lunch for your child. For more information or to register, contact Tony Belton at Easter Seals Arc at 260-469-2777 or via e-mail at tbelton@esarc.org.