Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
Month of the Military Child – Super Siblings
As parents to children with special needs, we have learned to prioritize. To compartmentalize. To make sure the needs of our special needs children are met. All too often, we discover that ourselves, our spouses and, yes, even our “typical” children get pushed to the back burner. These children sacrifice so much. They seem to have to grow up faster than children without special needs siblings.
We at MSNN wanted to take the time to celebrate our Super Siblings, especially in April – the Month of the Military Child. These Super Sibs have our admiration, respect and love. Please take a moment to view these wonderful kiddos and leave a comment or two!
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- My children Jake, 9 and Danielle, 12 are amazing siblings to Kaitlyn, 16. They help her on a daily basis and celebrate all her accomplishments– no matter how small they may seem to others. I am blessed.
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- This is Davan. He has been a huge joy, and a big help in our lives. He met his little brother through a glass window on Valentines’ day. Since that day, they have been best friends through thick and thin! Davan is always there for his little brother. Davan has been there being his brother’s biggest supporter through three hospital stays, four surgeries, and countless hours of therapy. He is our little hero!
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- This is my Jeffrey. He is Dillan’s younger brother and has never known a world without a special needs sibling. He never complains about therapy appointments, surgeries, or doctor’s visits. He is one of Dillan’s greatest advocates and best friends. They love to wrestle on the floor and play outside together. He loves his brother for who he is and loves to show others how to embrace those with special needs. He has a big heart and his love for his brother knows no limits. I love you, Mr. Jeffrey!
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- This is Corban. He has been a delight since day one! Corban loves his big brother, and often follows him around the house calling his name. He was there when his brother was diagnosed with Autism. He was there through the therapies, and the hospital visits, and the hard days that we have. He never complains and always has a smile on his face. He is there on the good days and the bad days. He often gives up his toys and special items in order to make his brother smile. Corban is our hero!
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- Hailey, You are your sister’s idol and your brother’s teacher. You are the nurturer of souls and bodies to those you feed with your garden. You teach me about compassion every day and you are my hero. Love, Mama
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- This is Charlotte. She is 8 years old and is the best Big Sister to her little brother Alexander who is on the Autism Spectrum. She might not always get all the attention as her brother goes through therapies and MD appointments. But she has a huge, loving heart that is full of pride and love for her brother. She is his teacher, best friend and number one advocate. She even runs for him to raise money Autism Research and has done 3 races in his honor. What better example can we have for her brother? Alexander is very lucky to have Charlotte in his life. And as parents we are lucky to have 2 great kids.
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- Meet Calton- He is Mattie’s protector, teacher, and best friend. His love for her is unconditional. He is the definition of what a brother should be: kind, caring, and loving.
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- This is Lucas. He is caring, kind, sweet, and self-less. He melts my heart when he chooses something from the treasure box at preschool for his sister instead of for himself.
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- Aubrey is a great big sister and loves to help Savannah with her homework. In fact, Aubrey finds it hilarious that we have to ask her for help with Savannah’s kindergarten math! She’s an incredible big sister and we’re truly blessed!
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- I have three children. My older two, Kaylynne and Alexander, have been truly awesome to their little brother, Evan. A few hours after giving birth to Evan we were told he had Down Syndrome. They were told about their brother and his chromosomal disorder. We explained he may need more help along the way. I know they are my children but I think they are absolutely great. They are some of his biggest cheerleaders. They will gladly explain to friends and classmates about Down Syndrome. They have written essays and speeches about how their life is with their brother. They will tell you that he is their hero. I know it is hard for them. Raising a child with special needs isn’t the easiest thing, but they never complain. Recently they held a “Spread The Word to End the “R” Word” event for their brother. They are trying to educate people on why it is hurtful to use the word “retarded”. They are trying to educate people to use “People first” language. I have always told them that I love all of my children equally. Just because I have to spend a little more time helping Evan does not mean I care for him differently. My older two children have understood that. I have been blessed with many gifts in my life, three of them are my children.
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- Emily, After you fell asleep last night, I came into your room to kiss you and noticed a purple handwritten note card addressed to your sister. It reads: Dear Addie, I love you so much sis, and I’m sorry that we haven’t spent that much time together like we should. You know you’re the best sister ever! It melts my heart knowing how much you love your sister. Every single day, you amaze me with your patience, understanding, and love. You are Addie’s best friend and she loves you so much. You are such a remarkable, beautiful girl, and I thank God every day that you’re mine. I love you, baby girl.
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- For all of the missed events, opportunities, and special talks; for the all-too-many times I ran out of time, patience and understanding – and you were left wanting; for the “Alex, I’m exhausted. What do you want?” and the “Alex, I can’t. I have to get the boys to therapy.” and the “Can we talk about this later?”; I’m sorry. I know. Autism and special needs has changed your life, too. Thank you for all YOU have sacrificed to help the boys. You are loved and so, so appreciated.
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- To my girlies: Our world changed so much in just a moments’ time. You never complain, you always stay positive, and you are an example of what love really is. True sisters to the core, you believe in each other and always find a reason to smile. You are an inspiration of hope, love, and faith. Alysa’s heart may be the reason our lives changed, but you showed her you all have hearts of gold. I love you always and forever, Saira, Megan, Emily, Andrea Alysa. You are my heroes. — with Mindy McKinney Kerbs.
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- Caden, 3, and Addison, 7, are the greatest siblings Nathan could ask for. They show great compassion and love to Nathan. They try their best to understand when Nathan’s needs take precedent over their’s. They cheer him on during therapy and rub his head when he gets upset. They love to sing and dance with him in his “disco” room. Both of them our Heroes! — with Adreanna Metzdorf Tarwater.
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- This is Aubrey. She is five years old and is the big sister to Alex. From the moment we told her she was going to be a big sister, she was thrilled. She met her brother through the window of the hospital nursery the morning after he was born. She was upset that she couldn’t hold him and was scared because of the IV and oxygen he was on. As the true, complex nature of his condition came to light, we were transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. It was nearly two weeks before she would see her baby brother again. The first time she peered at him over the rail of his bed in the NICU, she smiled and said “Hi brother”. She asked a lot of questions and was very worried about Alex. She talked to him and sang songs to him. When we were finally discharged to come home Aubrey told me it was the best day of her life! She is kind, supportive, and helpful to her brother. She is with him during all his therapies and loves to help with his exercises, she does things to make him laugh, gives him her toys, and most of all tells him he is the best little brother ever and that she will always take care of him.
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- These are my two boys, Jacob (8) and Aaron (4). Since Aaron was born he has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, PDD-NOS, Sensory Processing Disorder, Celiac disease, food allergies, asthma and a few dozen other medical issues. Throughout all of his struggles, Jacob has been his biggest cheerleader. We have lived in 5 states in his 8 years and he has handled every transition with more excitement and less anxiety than we could have ever imagined. Despite all of Aaron’s challenges, they still have every bit of a “typical” brother relationship. They play, they fight and they love each other unconditionally. Jacob doesn’t get half the attention his brother does, but he never complains and he is always his brother’s protector. His love and grace for his brother never ceases to amaze me. Thank you Jacob, for being everything your brother needs, you will always be a hero to me!
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- My Sweet Sofia, you are too young to understand that your brother is not the norm’. To him he is your hero. The master of the TV, the helper of putting on shoes. He’s your comrade and the first boy you’ll love. You have such an unobstructed awestruck view of him. I often wish to see him through your eyes. Everything he is to you, you are to him and I know he loves you with his whole heart. You are both a blessing.
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- My name is Megan Culver. I have two older boys and a little girl. All three of them are my heroes and they support one another always! My oldest son Cooper has Type 1 diabetes,My youngest son Cohen has asthma. But they support they’re sister Cameryn who has Down Syndrome. Cooper has been through the most medical tribulations, but he is always concerned and protective of his sister. They have a special bond of being different. We have been dealt a rough hand some would say, but we embrace all of it and with open arms! We wouldn’t change them for the world!
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- My Carmen is always happy to help with ABA as a model. Always loves playing outside the speech therapy office. She also waits to take her nap till after we drop off big sister to preschool. I don’t know how we both do it but we are both there to cheer on her sister, Anna! Carmen is amazing, patient, crazy and loving!! Love you baby girl!
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- This is Grant, who turns 5 today. He is the sweetest, most stubborn, most loving little kid I know. He is his brother’s best friend, helps in ABA and Vision Therapy sessions (and has fun doing it!), is kind and supportive and helpful, and provides us all with unconditional love. Jordan is lucky to have him – we all are, really. He challenges us in totally different ways than his big brother does, surprises us with his intelligence, and blows our minds with his sensitivity and compassion. We love you, little man!
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- This is Danielle and her little brother. She is the World’s Best Big Sister and I don’t have enough words to compare with the look of love that is clearly displayed on my son’s face gazing up at her. She gives and gives and takes so little in return, always understanding and questioning when she doesn’t understand. She takes time out of her regular teenage life to rough house with her brother and watches any respite care person as closely as I do until she’s convinced they know how to take care of her little brother. She is the best daughter I could have ever hoped for!
One comment on “Month of the Military Child – Super Siblings”
Comments, discussion and insight always welcome!
Military Special Needs Network 
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article!
It is the little changes which will make
the most significant changes. Many thanks for sharing!