Not a Supporting Character

Your child's sibling isn't a supporting character in their disability story. They're the co-author.

We see it all the time in our communities and even in well-meaning advice. The sibling is the helper, the brave little soldier, the one who is always 'so good' with their brother or sister. And they are all of those things. But that's not the whole story.

When I say they're the co-author, I mean their life, their identity, and their experiences are being written right alongside their sibling's. They aren't just reacting to the main plot; they are actively shaping it and being shaped by it every single day.

They become experts in a language only they share. They can be the best interpreters for a non-verbal sibling, the fiercest protectors on the playground, and the only ones who know the exact right way to give a hug when everything is overwhelming.

And their story includes their own unique joys, their own private frustrations, and their own needs. Recognizing them as a co-author means we have to make space for their chapters, not just the ones that involve caregiving.

So let's make sure we're treating them like one. Ask them about the chapter they're writing today. Listen to their part of the story. Because it's just as important.