What is it like to have a sibling with Down syndrome?
What is it Like to Have a Sibling with Down Syndrome?
As a way to promote acceptance and awareness during Down syndrome Acceptance month, some of our families are posting information about Down syndrome on their Facebook and allowing others to ask questions about Down syndrome. Awesome mom, Gina Buffone, wrote this AMAZING post about having a sibling with Down syndrome last night, and we wanted to be able to share it with all of you. (Beth, Site Director).
What is it like to have a sibling with Down syndrome?
If you ask Giada this question, she is pretty oblivious to any difference between her and Luccia.
❤️Giada told me she likes to help change Luccia’s clothes and get her ready for the day. She also LOVES to take baths and showers with her.
💛Giada has learned sign language alongside Luccia, so they can communicate better.
💜Giada is Luccia’s biggest supporter during all four therapy sessions each week and she tags along to every doctor appointment. She sometimes gets sad because Luccia cries when therapy is hard.
💙Giada kisses Luccia good morning, good night, and goodbye before school… some days she sheds a tear because she “will miss little sissy.”
💚Giada always has some fear that Luccia may have to go back to the “castle” (aka hospital) and is so cautious about making sure her hands and clothes are clean.
💖Giada is 4 years old. She does not fully understand what Down syndrome is, but she does not feel like it makes her and Luccia any different. I tell her it may take Luccia a longer time to achieve milestones… but she still does not even recognize a delay. Giada cheers and celebrates Luccia’s successes. She truly is the BEST big sister.
💕Eliana is 1 month old. She has no understanding of Down syndrome, but she is so loved by Luccia. Eliana is learning to love Luccia’s wet kisses and Luccia loves to hold her little sister.
I read a study that surveyed hundreds of siblings to find out how they felt about having a brother or sister with Down syndrome. The results included the following:
⭐️More than 96% of siblings indicated that they had affection toward their sibling with Down syndrome.
⭐️94% of older siblings expressed feelings of pride.
⭐️Among older siblings, 88% felt that they were better people because of their siblings with Down syndrome.
⭐️More than 90% plan to remain involved in their sibling’s lives as they become adults.
These statistics are encouraging, but what is so much more encouraging are our own experiences!
–Giada, Luccia and Eliana’s Mom, Gina
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