The following is a compilation of the experiences of a number of people with a disabled sibling.
... I was 10 years old when Bill was born. Back then, we didn’t know a lot about Down syndrome. It was almost like Bill was someone we were supposed to keep a secret. ... My mother and father knew very little about Down syndrome. I had never even heard about it. ...
When he finally started to walk around, my mother paid tons of attention to him. She never let him out of her sight. She stopped making dinner most nights and had me make my own.
......Looking back, I realize I missed the attention and I sometimes resented the fact that I had to do more things for myself than most of my friends. When I went to college, I think it was a relief for both myself and my parents. I know they sometimes felt bad that Bill required so much attention. When I was at college, I wasn’t as close to my family as a number of kids I knew. ...
I know that some people with Down syndrome go on to have jobs or even go onto higher education, but Bill did not. He stayed at home with my mother after he left school. I imagine that it must have been very boring for him. Bill has had few friends and my mother was very protective so he rarely left the house. ......
As my mother ages, I wonder what will happen to Bill after she’s gone. I know that it will be up to me to take responsibility for him. I ... I have my own family and know how much time it takes to care for a person with a disability. I don’t want to neglect my own family because I have to care for Bill. ...
Growing Up with a Sibling with a Disability