Thicker Than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1890627917 ISBN 13: 9781890627911

Publisher: Woodbine House, 2009

Synopsis

Bound by blood, but not always by love, a sibling can be your friend or rival, defender or detractor--sometimes simultaneously! But what's the impact on that bond when one sibling has a disability?

In this thought-provoking essay collection, thirty-nine adult siblings reflect on how their lives have been indelibly shaped by their relationship with a brother or sister with special needs. Edited by Don Meyer, creator of Sibshops and an expert on sibling issues, Thicker Than Water reveals both positive and negative aspects of growing up with someone who might have received the lion s share of his parents attention or who now requires extra support as an adult.

These compelling essays express a diverse range of sibling experiences and attitudes. Contributors range in age from 20 to 70 and have siblings whose disabilities include Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, seizures, visual impairment, fragile-X syndrome, intellectual disability, or mental illness. Several essays demonstrate how experiences vary based on a writer s age and generation. Many older contributors grew up when disabilities were stigmatized; younger contributors can attest to changing attitudes and greater acceptance of people with differences. Some contributors have chosen to work in a disability field or service profession and credit their siblings for influencing their career choices; others have pursued dreams far removed from a disability field.

This absorbing collection offers other siblings the catharsis of discovery and shared experiences. Thicker Than Water provides fascinating reading for siblings, parents, caregivers, and anyone who shares a long-term relationship with a person with special needs or wonders what that experience may be like.

A common element in all of the essays is honesty. A sibling writes...I did the usual things kids do while growing up--had friends--just never brought them home. Participated in Girl Scouts and cheerleading--just never had my family at events. Did Mom sense my embarrassment at having a brother with multiple disabilities--one who d whoop and strike the air with his fist at inappropriate times? (Is there an appropriate time? Football games?) Or was she ashamed of his behavior and I absorbed this shame? Because shame it was. I was ashamed of Jimmy. There. I wrote it. (Can t quite say it, though.) I was ashamed and now I m ashamed of my shame.

Also by Don Meyer:
Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs
The Sibling Slam Book: What It's Really Like to Have a Brother or Sister with Special Needs

About this title

About the Author:

Don Meyer is the director of the Sibling Support Project and creator of Sibshops, lively programs for brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. He is the author of Views from our Shoes and The Sibling Slam Book, also published by Woodbine House. He lives with his wife and four children in Seattle, Washington.

Review:

If you're interested in families--any families--you'll find rich, revealing treasures in these pages. And if you're a citizen of the Disability Nation, by blood, marriage, or voluntary alliance, welcome home. --Judy Karasik, co-author, with the graphic novelist Paul Karasik, of The Ride Together: A Brother and Sister's Memoir of Autism in the Family

Filled with humor and joy and indescribable moments of self reflection, this resource will fill a gap for the often forgotten siblings of those with disabilities. The book truly fills the void for those who have experienced this situation with honesty and openness. --CAPHIS Consumer Connections

Filled with humor and joy and indescribable moments of self reflection, this resource will fill a gap for the often forgotten siblings of those with disabilities. The book truly fills the void for those who have experienced this situation with honesty and openness. --CAPHIS Consumer Connections

About this edition

• Publisher: Woodbine House
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1890627917
• ISBN 13: 9781890627911
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 234
• Editor: Don Meyer