It's National Sibling Day!
The following is a guest blog from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) on celebrating National Sibling Day:
Today we celebrate National Sibling Day. Across the country this means many things, but to our community this may be one of the most important days to celebrate. Over the past decade the role of siblings in the lives of their brother or sister with a developmental disability is now not only recognized as an essential relationship within their own family, but as an integral part of the national conversation around family support. National organizations such as the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) and the Sibling Support Project have created statewide networks across the country to support siblings in coming together to have a voice to advocate for their brothers and sisters across their lifespan and to promote the issues that are most important to their entire family.
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities strongly supports these national entities and strives to build a stronger sibling presence within the 56 DD Councils across the country. There are unique life experiences can only be brought forth by a sibling, a perspective that a parent or guardian does not share.
In an effort to encourage the presence of siblings on DD Councils. NACDD is working with the Sibling Leadership Network to foster relationships between state SLN chapters and state DD Councils. NACDD is also working through their technical assistance grant to spotlight resources and opportunities for siblings to engage with DD Councils through both their website (www.itacchelp.org/resources/siblings/) (This link is no longer active.)and through NACDD's social media outlets. Please take a moment today to highlight the importance of siblings within your state and add to the national conversation online at www.facebook.com/NACDDKStreet. (This link is no longer active.)Also read Siblings Are Forever from GCDD's Summer 2011 Making a Difference magazine that gives a look into the impact developmental disabilities have on the sibling bond, and tell us how siblings make a difference in your life by leaving a comment here. Click here to read Siblings Are Forever.
