Best Helper

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Being the typical sibling to a brother or sister with a disability can feel like a privilege. But for some, it can feel like you’re carrying the weight of uncertainty and confusion, resentment and anger, even loss of individuality and identity. These deep struggles are the reality of so many typical siblings. And how these realities are addressed impacts their view on God, themselves, and in many ways, their view on disability.

“Even though sometimes disability seems like a bad thing… there’s always something good inside.”

Alessia

This week at Joni and Friends we have been celebrating typical siblings and the important role that they play in families impacted by disabilities.

You may remember our sweet friend Alessia. She raised $220 during our May Match initiative by running a lemonade stand, selling baked goods, babysitting… and she even included some of her birthday money!

Alessia is a typical sibling and strives to advocate for people impacted by disability because she knows firsthand that they don’t always have a voice.

Her brothers, Dominik and Josef, are both wheelchair users. After spending some time with Alessia, it’s clear that having siblings with disabilities has impacted how she views the world around her. She has a huge heart and love for her brothers.

If you are a typical sibling or a parent with both a typical child and a child with a disability, remember that no matter how challenging things may seem at times, there is still hope because the Lord loves you and your entire family with unceasing love!