Having a child with significant disabilities affects not only the parents of that child but also any siblings who grow up with a brother or sister who is "different." 

Family dynamics can also change when a brother or sister develops a serious mental illness.  This often happens in teen or young adult years.

In the November 2004 issue of ADNotes, Milt Stoltzfus, the brother of two sisters who were severely developmentally disabled, reflects on what parents can do to meet the needs of the non-disabled siblings in the family.  Readers may also be interested in more of Milt's story as told in the lead article of the Dialogue newsletter, Fall 2004.

We also offer the following stories which also offer reflections of two young adults on their relationships with siblings with disabilities.  If you have stories to share, please them to us.  We can post them with or without your name.