Presentation highlights real-life experiences and challenges of siblings of individuals with special needs and disabilities

Growing up with a brother or sister who has a disability is the topic of an upcoming program co-presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) and Jewish Residential Services (JRS) as part of an educational series called AIM: Support for Families of Individuals with Special Needs. The presentation, “Siblings Matter Too: What is it like to grow up with a brother or sister with a disability?” will be held on Monday, September 8, from 6-8 p.m. at JF&CS’s offices, located at 5743 Bartlett Street in Squirrel Hill.

A panel of adult siblings will share their experiences, insights and challenges of growing up and navigating adult life as a sibling of a brother or sister with a disability. Linda Marino, critical and special needs coordinator at JF&CS (and the mother of two, including an adult child with special needs) will facilitate the discussion-based program. The program is appropriate for parents, siblings and family members.

“Sometimes siblings feel that they are being selfish by openly talking about their own emotions and experiences when growing up with a brother or sister with a disability. Sometimes parents feel a sense of guilt about all of the time they need to spend with a child who has a disability and worry they are not spending enough quality time with siblings. This program is an opportunity for parents and siblings to learn from the experts—adult siblings who have lived the experience,” Marino said. “Our goal is to reassure siblings that their experiences are shared and to give them a concrete sense of where to go for additional information, resources and support. Hopefully, all family members will have a better understanding of the thoughts and feelings siblings experience from childhood through adulthood.”

The presentation is free and open to the community and includes a light kosher meal at 6 p.m. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Linda Marino at lmarino@jfcspgh.org or 412-422‐7200.

For more information about JF&CS, visit www.jfcspgh.org. For more information about JRS, visit www.jrspgh.org