When I first heard the term informal caregiver, I paused. It wasn’t in a sibling space.It wasn’t in a family systems conversation.It wasn’t even in an OT lecture. And when the role was described — spouses, aging parents, adult children — Siblings weren’t mentioned. I remember thinking: Wait. What about us? The Invisible Role World… Continue reading Informal Caregiving: The Role I Didn’t Know I Had
Traveling alone in Thailand, I noticed something uncomfortable. The guides carried things.They navigated.They made sure I crossed busy streets safely.Hotel staff walked me out at night.They checked transportation.They made sure I arrived back safely. And my first instinct? “I’ve got it.” Not because I didn’t appreciate them.But because receiving help felt… foreign. As siblings —… Continue reading Accepting Help
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com People often ask what connects my work in occupational therapy, yoga therapy, chronic illness, disability, and sibling support. The answer is simple: real life doesn’t live in silos. Regulation doesn’t stop at the nervous system.Identity doesn’t stop at diagnosis.And sibling experiences don’t end in childhood. Over time, I realized I… Continue reading Everything Is Connected—and That’s Why I’m Writing More
Sibling relationships are complicated—even more so when disability, chronic illness, or mental health is part of the family story. Many adult siblings grow up learning how to “be fine,” stay quiet, or take on roles without ever being asked how they’re actually doing. The problem? Silence doesn’t mean everything is okay.It usually means the conversation… Continue reading Starting the Sibling Conversation: Because Silence Isn’t Neutral
Photo by Guduru Ajay bhargav on Pexels.com For many siblings of children with disabilities, stress doesn’t always look like stress.They are the helpers, the flexible ones, the “easy” kids. And because they see their parents juggling so much, siblings often learn to mask their own needs — even from themselves. As we settle into a… Continue reading How to Spot Sibling Stress (Even When They Say “I’m Fine”)
