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Illness & Disability
My sister/brother has an illness or disability
It can be tough having a sister or brother with a physical disability, a learning disability, a mental illness, or an illness like cancer or diabetes. If you have a sibling with an illness or disability, you may feel:
- proud of your sister or brother
- guilty because you don't have the same struggle
- lonely because you think no one gets what you're going through or because you don't feel like you get to spend a lot of time with your parents/guardians
- jealous of all the attention your sister or brother gets
It might seem strange to have such different emotions all at the same time. But all these feelings are normal. Keep in mind, having a sister or brother with an illness or disability makes YOU special for being there for him or her!
Want to talk to others who have a sister or brother with special needs? Check out The Arc's Sibling Support Project. Anne is 14 and has a brother with cerebral palsy. Read her story about the joy and the tough times that come with having a sister or brother with special needs.
Check out what young people with disabled siblings have to say:
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My parent/grandparent has an illness or disability
One of my friends has an illness or disability
Content last updated June 2, 2007