An Open Letter To My Sibling With Special Needs
Start writing a post
Relationships

An Open Letter To My Sibling With Special Needs

You have changed my life in every way imaginable, and for that, I am forever thankful.

2213
An Open Letter To My Sibling With Special Needs
Erin Kelly

To my sibling with special needs,

While I know you won’t ever read this (or even know that this exists), I felt that it was necessary to incorporate you into my work and passion somehow. Honestly, it would be unfair if one of my biggest inspirations wasn’t credited or mentioned.

It breaks my heart that I can’t share this piece with you in a way that I would like; having you read it and be able to appreciate what I think of you. What brings me joy, though, is that I can share my admiration for you with the world on a platform larger than anyone can comprehend.

Allowing everyone to know just how much I admire and respect you is a victory in and of itself.

Growing up with a sibling that is different from you can be perplexing and in many ways challenging for the entire family. I was a child, myself when you were diagnosed with your disorder. You had always seemed different from me, but I knew nothing else except that you were my sibling and I loved you.

It was easy to learn that you would need more attention and accommodations from Mom and Dad, but I quickly realized you would also need more attention from me. This wasn’t something that phased me, though, because anyone would do anything for their brothers and sisters. I knew in times of stress, anxiety, rage, and mischief that you would need me to be there to support and assist you.

To this day, nothing makes me feel happier or more satisfied than when I successfully help you through a troubling episode.

I truly feel that I am privileged to have grown up with a sibling with special needs. Of course, a lot of the time I am saddened by the pain and frustration I see our parents experience, and the struggle to effectively communicate with one another will forever be something we have to deal with.

Despite these obstacles, though, you, alone, have made me a better person.

Having lived with you most of my life, I learned how to be much more patient, calm, sympathetic, empathetic and creative. These are all things I could have learned on my own as I grew older, but I was lucky to adopt these traits and habits early on because of you. I know that there’s no perfect way to thank you for this, but I truly owe so much of who I am today to you.

I can also attribute my desire to become involved in the special needs community to you.

My experience growing up with you has made me feel more confident when working with children and adults with all kinds of needs than I would have felt without you being in my life. I’ve been given amazing opportunities to be a leader and friend to those with special needs in our town, schools and local organizations because of your involvement, and I feel more motivated to continue being an active member as the years go by.

Although you may not have intended this, you have encouraged me to be brave, helpful and involved when around those who are different from me, no matter how big or small those differences between us may be. I never feel scared or confused when around members of these communities because you have shown me that being different is a good thing, not a downfall or something to be insecure about.

If I were given the ability to change the way you are or make you more like me, I wouldn’t dare jump on that opportunity because you are truly one of a kind and make me so happy.

Despite days of frustration, weeks of sadness, months of anger and years of uncertainty, I would still choose you as my sibling time and time again, just the way you are. Seeing eye to eye at all times does not necessarily equate to a perfect relationship, but our oddities and contradictions are what make us work well as a cohesive unit, as siblings.

My love and respect for you grow stronger each and every passing day because I know I am too weak to ever be able to live your life every single day. It takes an immense amount of courage and strength to be able to continually wear a big, genuine smile on your face every day for the world to see.

You have changed my life in every way imaginable, and for that, I am forever thankful.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58541
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37733
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959318
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194109
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments