Providing lifespan services to individuals with special needs...

Sibling Forum

V-Excel's sibling forum came into existence to meet one particular goal - to foster communication and rapport between siblings of people with special needs. The idea was to provide them with a support system that would enable them to voice their feelings and thoughts and share the unique perspectives that life has enriched them with. LuvMySib is open to members of the public from all walks of life, irrespective of age, who are siblings of differently-abled people. The forum actively engages in events that broaden awareness and highlight special issues.

From : Anandhi Balan
Today's sibling forum meet was a great success!

I personally felt so because most of them expressed they felt so good after the session. There were 8 participants - Deepika (22), Riya (11), Shanmuga Priya (12), Sanchana (10), Lakshika (13), Mahalaxmi (11), Rohith (7), Steward (9). All from KLC and 1 from VRC.

We started the session with an Ice breaker activity and we proceeded to the main art therapy. Thanks to Sarmista and Niharika, the children enjoyed the drawing immensely.

After the activity, we all sat to share how we felt. When i asked them to share one thing that was upsetting in their life and another thing that came as a surprise in their life. With that as a trigger, they all started sharing. I would like to share few things here.

I could understand that they did not have enough space and platform to speak about their sibling. They all said one thing in common that they all want to understand their siblings but do not how to do it. I was so surprised that the 10 year old and 12 year old children also had lots to share and they were comfortable doing it. Then we concluded the meet with a small resolution that we all would learn the ways in which the special ones communicate and we won't wait till they change like us. They all took the contact numbers of each other and we decided to meet the end of March or the beginning of April.

Thanks to all the teachers and people who passed on the circulars. And I request everyone of you to give importance to this forum as I find it difficult to pass on the information to the siblings. Thank you all.

"LuvMySib" forum conducted a session on Photography at Guindy National Park for the members of the sibling forum. There is no membership fee to join the forum and all the activities of the forum are conducted for free of cost.

LuvMySib organized a social trek on the 14th of October to Nagalapuram Hills in Andhra Pradesh. The one-day trek was organized in association with the Chennai Trekking Club (CTC), which sponsored the event. Guided by CTC volunteers, the siblings took off early that morning and spent the better part of the day enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Amidst splashing in pools and observing the varied flora, they enjoyed nutritious food and reveled in each others company. The tired yet happy adventurers trooped back to the city later that evening, completing LuvMySib's first successful foray into trekking.

A simple fun-filled day with the adorable youngest members of LuvMySib kicked off with games and play therapy. With staff and volunteers present, the kids enjoyed a lot of attention.

LuvMySib decided to arrange a meet up for siblings 18 and above. The idea was to combine constructive activities with lively discussions. The latter, especially was quite positive, with questions and ideas shooting back and forth. Initially, the goal of the sibling forum was brought into focus. Dr. Vasudha Prakash explained that parents' resources have been concentrated on the child with special needs, with the other children usually having deal with many things on their own as they grow up. There could be some trauma associated with this imbalance in attention, so it's important that the siblings feel empowered. She also mentioned that the siblings themselves were powerful advocates for the cause, as they could best communicate their sibling's thoughts and feelings to society at large.

The conversation moved on to a more personal level as the siblings shared their experiences. From wanting to study in the same school to expecting their future spouse to be supportive, the siblings expressed wishes that reflected greatly on their love. A wish for more interaction brought about the suggestion of a trek, which met with unanimous interest. Ice-breaking and team-building activities rounded the event off nicely.

A beautiful Friday afternoon brought together a gathering of people who had something in common - empathy towards those whose needs differ from our own. Most of them have lived with and understood what it entailed much more than others - these were the siblings of the disabled who are a part of the V-Excel family. The meet marked the inauguration of V-Excel's sibling forum, LuvMySib. The initiative was driven by V-Excel's Director Dr. Vasudha Prakash and gathered its form through her efforts as well as Ms. Anandhi Balan, our psychologist, and dedicated volunteers.

The event itself was a cheerful one, with a healthy turnout of about 30 people. A festive, childlike enthusiasm pervaded the crowd, with the cutting of a cake, a few beautiful songs and a smattering of fun games that broke the ice and helped the siblings establish friendly footings. LuvMySiB got off to a good start as conversation flowed and we saw the goal of the forum becoming real - to be an avenue for siblings of people with special needs to meet and connect. The inauguration set a hopeful tone for even better things to come.