Sibshops - a fun peer support program just for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities

01/08/2009

INDIANAPOLIS – Being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, for others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between. To help provide siblings with peer support in fun, festive atmosphere, Riley Hospital for Children, in partnership with Easter Seals Crossroads and Damar, offers Sibshops.

Sibshops provides children the opportunity to meet other brothers and sisters of children with special needs, talk about their experiences with others who really know what it’s like to have a sibling with a disability, make new friends, learn more about disabilities and the services people with disabilities receive, play games and most importantly, have fun!

Sibshops are open to the general public and include meals, crafts, discussion and fun activities. The first program of the year is geared towards children ages 4-7.

"The benefit of youth Sibshops is that it offers young siblings support to recognize that they are not the only brother or sister out there who has a sibling with a disability, and to understand what that means to their family," said Christina Rogers, BSW, CMC, Strong Families program manager at Riley Hospital for Children. "It also offers an afternoon for the parents or caregivers to meet others with similar households. The biggest benefit is that it is support for all with recognition."

Parents offered some of the following reasons for registering their child in Sibshops:

• "So he understands why his sister is different;"
• "To help him understand that I am not giving his sibling more attention;"
• "She has a hard time understand her sibling;"
• "To meet other children who have siblings with special needs;" and
• "So she can share her feelings."

• The complete 2009 Sibshops Calendar:
• Ages 4-7 (Cost $10)
  • January 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • May 30, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Ages 8-13 (Cost $7)
  • February 13, 6-10 p.m.
  • April 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • July 24, 6-10 p.m.
  • October 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Ages 14-17 (Cost $7)
  • March 5, 7-10 p.m.
  • June 5, 12-3 p.m.

To register or for more information, please contact Riley Hospitals’ Community Education and Child Advocacy department at 1.888.365.2022 or visit www.rileychildrenshospital.com/kids1st.

About Riley Hospital for Children As one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana’s first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana’s children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit www.rileychildrenshospital.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Margie Smith-Simmons
317.962.4085 (o)
317.312.4348 (p)
msmithsi@clarian.org