|
|
 |
Last updated: August 25, 2007
SIB CENTER BULLETIN BOARD
An interesting site to visit http://www.activeteen.disabilitycentral.com
Question:
My sister is deaf. Her doctor's say that she can have normal kids and so can I when we get older, but I'm afraid my kids will be deaf too. Are her doctors right?
Response: Without knowing what exactly is the cause of your sister's deafness, I can't really say. I can tell you that most of the times, both kids who are deaf and their brothers and sisters do go on to have very typical children and very normal lives.
Question:
Sometimes I feel jealous of my little brother. He has a disability, so he gets most of the attention. Does anybody else feel this way? How do you keep from feeling this way and how do you keep from feeling guilty about it?
Response:
It is perfectly natural to feel like your brother is getting all of the attention. He is getting what he must have though. You can make yourself feel better by involving yourself more in his care, so your parents are freed up to do more other things with you. This will also strengthen your relationship with your little brother.
For an interesting poem by a teen on her feelings about her brother who has a disability, please see the Story-of-the-month. You can reach it from the Features section of the index.
Question:
My brother died too! It has been 2 years! I am still angry! IS that o.k.? Sometimes I feel like it should have been me or one of my other brothers. My brother wasn't perfect, but he didn't get into alot of trouble like me and my older brother.
Response:
It is definitely o.k. to be angry. You have been angry for a long time now. Maybe that is why you and your older brother are getting into alot of trouble. Sometimes when kids are angry or don't understand their own feelings they start to do alot of acting out, getting into trouble and saying things they don't really mean. Often it helps to talk to somebody older about your feelings, kind of like you are doing right now. Ask your parents about going to a peer support group where you can talk to other kids your age who also have had a brother or sister die. Sometimes talking to a counselor at school or at a counseling center can help. Talking to a counselor does not mean that you are "Crazy,"weak or can't handle your own problems. It just means that you are wise and mature enough to know when to ask for a little help sorting out your feelings. Also, always remember that it should not have been you or your brothers. God controls all of these things. The time of our death is determined before we are even born, so when ever that time comes, God always knows who the right one to take is. We may not understand why, but it was your brother's time to die and it was the right time for him. It was not the right time for you or your other brothers, so it should not have been any of you that were left living. Your brother would not have wanted you to die with him or to waste your life being angry forever. You are alive, because God wants you to be! Live your life and be happy and productive for yourself, your brother and for God.
|
|
|
