From November 18, 2020 to May 18, 2021, the Sibling Support Project hosted, in partnership with Special Needs Siblings and the Sibling Leadership Network, a groundbreaking series of BIPOC Sibling Roundtables.  Featuring the voices, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities, the series was created to expand the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community.  As we approach the first anniversary of the inaugural event, we are planning new events and initiatives to continue and build upon the conversation. View the BIPOC Sibling Series: BIPOC Sibling Panel 1,  November 18. 2020 BIPOC Sibling Panel 2,  January 18. 2021 BIPOC Sibling Panel 3,  March 18, 2021 BIPOC Sibling Panel 4,  May 18, 2021

The FINAL episode of the 99% Effective podcast's sibling series is a panel made up of three incredible pairs of siblings reflecting on their life experiences. In this episode you will meet: Kelly and Erin, Laura and Jack, and Allison and Melissa. These siblings discuss their experiences growing up together, life aspirations, and their experiences in their communities. The SARAH Inc. Summer Sibling Series - Sibling Panel is facilitated by none other than Emily Holl (from our first episode of the Summer Sibling Series)! Emily Holl is the Director of the Sibling Support Project which was founded in 1990. It is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. Listen to the pod here!

Meet 8-year-old Zabella Hernandez from Oklahoma. Zabella recently wrote a book about her little brother, Zayvian, who is 7. The book is called Autism: The story of my amazing little brother. Zabella was inspired by Zayvian to capture the beautiful opportunities created by difference on the pages of her book. Zabella produced all of the content, including the whimsical pictures. "I wrote the book because I want everyone to understand that differences make the world a beautiful place," Zabella said. "My brother is amazing and I want everyone to treat him with kindness. He has struggles sometimes and if the world understood him more it would be easier for him. I just want him to know he is loved." Way to go, Zabella!  

Ninety-Nine Percent Effective is a SARAH Solutions Podcast designed to families find resources for children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or delays. In this episode, co-hosts George Reid-Perry, Senior Director of Adult Services at SARAH Inc., and Tesha Tramontano-Kelly at TTK358 Consulting talk with Sibling Support Project Director Emily Holl about the important role of siblings and why and how to support them. Listen here!    

The 4th of a series of discussions with Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with special needs. On May 18, the Sibling Support Project was thrilled to partner with Special Needs Siblings and the Sibling Leadership Network to co-host this event. This remarkable BIPOC Sibling Roundtable 4 was dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities. Check out our calendar for upcoming events.

Meet Sheena and Sean.  In this amazing BuzzFeed video, Sean, who has Cerebral Palsy, talks about the difficulties of dating with a disability with his sister, Sheena. But these super-siblings don't stop there. Watch as this dynamic duo sets out to find a date for Sean, navigating the internet, a global pandemic, and the eternal question: "How can I find someone to go on a date with?"  A word from the filmmaker... As a filmmaker, my art revolves around telling stories of the marginalized communities I identify with (LGBTQ+, Asian/Mixed race, mental health issues, disability). As a Sib, my disability advocacy work is inspired by my little brother, Sean, who has cerebral palsy. When I had the opportunity to create a Buzzfeed video on the topic, I was elated to get to share such a personal story I know many can relate to, on such a large platform. Sean, like any other guy in his 20’s, wants to date and find love, but dating can become extra challenging when you have disabilities. We were able to have fun filming a video together (something my brother had wanted to do with me for ages) while sharing an experience everyone can relate to, and is also less represented through the lens of people with disabilities. We’ve received a lot of great feedback and I hope this video continues to touch people and remind them that regardless of ability, we all want and deserve love.

On April 8, the Sibling Support Project hosted an online Super-Sized Sibshop! In honor of National Siblings Day on April 10, this first-time (ever!) event welcomed 168 siblings and facilitators from across the U.S. and Canada!  Children from 23 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces registered for the event, which featured games, discussion activities and a special appearance by Don Meyer, Creator of Sibshops and Founder of the Sibling Support Project! A fun time was had by all, and we look forward to taking on this challenge of putting together another super-sized event in the future! Special thanks to our fabulous planning committee, which includes Ahren Hoffman and Kathy Smart from Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Sibsensations in Illinois, Tammy Besser and Katie Fitzgerald from Jewish Child and Family Services Sibshop in Illinois, Suzanne Salmo from United Services Sibshop in Missouri, and Alyssa Elias from Massapequa Sibshop in New York.

In the March/April issue of Parenting Special Needs magazine, we get real about sibling resentment and get serious about finding everyday ways to support brothers and sisters of people with disabilities. Featuring insights from several remarkable adult siblings who share their personal experiences with honesty and grace, and some simple strategies to help  siblings feel seen, heard, validated and special. Read the article here and meet some of the siblings featured in the magazine in this Facebook Live interview with publisher Chantai Snellgrove here.

Rachel and Christie, hosts of Constant Chaos, know that raising kids is hard enough, and that adding developmental and learning differences into the mix can create what feels like constant chaos. Each episode of this podcast enables guests and listeners alike to get real about the challenges, realities and joys of parenting these special kids. This episode features a conversation with Sibling Support Project Director Emily Holl, who shares tips on how parents can best support the other special kids in their families - siblings - and help them voice their own feelings and fears. Listen here!

The third of a series of discussions with Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with special needs. On March 18, the Sibling Support Project was thrilled to partner with Special Needs Siblings and the Sibling Leadership Network to co-host this event. This remarkable BIPOC Sibling Roundtable 3 was dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities. Check out our calendar for upcoming events.