SIBSHOPS: Just for Brothers and Sisters of Kids with Special Needs.

Brothers and sisters will have the longest-lasting relationship with a sibling who has a disability - one that can easily exceed 65 years!  During their lives, they will experience most of the unique concerns and joys their parents do.  But few siblings of kids with special needs ever have a chance to talk about their issues with others who "get it" - until now.

We are pleased to announce once-monthly Sibshops for 8- to 13-year-old brothers and sisters of kids with special needs in Victoria, BC.  We have had some participants signed up but we are still a few short of the minimum enrollment needed to go ahead.  Please share this information with anyone you think might be interested! 

Our Sibshops are lively, action-packed, 3 hour workshops that celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters.  Sibshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, for others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between.  They reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have much to offer one another - if they are given a chance.

In addition to receiving peer support, Sibshops participants will play lively "new games", learn about their siblings' disabilities and the services they receive, participate in cooking and craft activities, and make new friends. 

Many brothers and sisters have feelings that are difficult to express, even to a friend: sadness that a sister can't learn things that others take for granted; anger when a brother's behavior prevents the family from doing things other families do; or the special pride when a sibling with a disability learns a basic but important life skill after months or years of practice.  At Sibshops, they'll share these feelings with others who truly understand.    

Our Sibshop is listed on the Sibling Support Project's website where you can find more information about the project and it's creator, Don Meyer. (https://www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops/we-can-sibshops-victoria) .

Once we have enough participants signed up, we will meet on the second Saturday of the month, from 3:00 to 5:45pm at High Point Community Church, 949 Fullerton Ave, Victoria, BC. 

For more information email we.can.learning@shaw.ca or call 778-350-6628