An imaginative get-together took place online under the motto Siblings in the Universe.
© Children’s hospice association
The diagnosis that one’s own sister or brother has a life-shortening illness turns the life of healthy siblings upside down again and again. To mark today’s sibling day, together with the German Children’s Hospice Association (DKHV), they would like to draw attention to their situation in a video project for Instagram. They speak up themselves and make it clear how important the support offers of the association are for them. “For me, the DKHV means solidarity, trust and understanding,” explains Kira, sister, whose brother is terminally ill.
Olpe – From outsiders, the siblings would like them to be like them explain in the video project, more open-minded towards their particular living conditions. Because all too quickly, negative assessments and assumptions about living together in the families concerned are made. The siblings therefore encourage them to ask questions openly and directly. Because fear of contact can only be reduced if you approach each other and start a conversation. “I find it hard to bear that my brother is sick and that I can’t do anything about it. But it also brings special moments and thoughts into our family life, for which I am very grateful, ”says Kira, describing the positive aspects and opportunities on her life path.
Dealing with issues such as illness and care as well as dying and death is a great challenge. The offers of the German Children’s Hospice Association start right here and accompany siblings through the outpatient children’s and youth hospice services of the association, the educational and meeting offers of the German Children’s Hospice Academy and the contact person for siblings, Sandra Schopen.
On the move in a distant galaxy
For example, a seminar of the German Children’s Hospice Academy took place during the Easter holidays for siblings whose brother or sister became ill or died shortening their lives. The responsible education officer Heike Will therefore developed a creative alternative under the motto “Siblings in the universe”. For this purpose, small educational packages were sent to the participants in advance with the materials they needed for this offer. So everyone could be there from home. “We beamed ourselves with the registered siblings to distant galaxies and set up virus-proof in the digital cloud cuckoo country,” says Heike Will, describing the imaginative encounter.
Since the corona pandemic, networking and conversations with peers in a similar life situation have become even more important for the siblings. Feeling understood and connected, being able to speak openly about questions and fears, strengthens your own resources and conveys the feeling of not being alone. In order to continue to enable this support, the contact person for siblings at the DKHV, Sandra Schopen, offers the following services: Digital exchange for siblings whose brother or sister has died shortening their lives: Siblings aged 8 to 14 years once a week, on Thursdays at 6 p.m. and siblings aged 14 and over every first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
“It’s good for me to meet other siblings. It can help to understand one’s own brother or sister, ”explains one participant.
Siblings who would like to join this exchange are always welcome. You can contact: [email protected] or on Tel. 0151/46458092.
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