SIBDAYS ON FOR TUESDAY-FRIDAY
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
Category Archives: General
GOOD NEWS! SIBDAYS OF SUMMER WILL BE HAPPENING TUESDAY – FRIDAY! SAME PARK-DIFFERENT SHELTER. GO TO Summer 2019 Interns!
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
Samantha Merkel:
My name is Samantha Merkel and I’m one of the WisconSibs summer interns for 2019. I really became a part of WisconSibs about five summers ago when I first became a counselor at SibDays of Summer. Since then I have continued to develop as a young leader with the support of WisconSibs programs.
My inspiration for everything I do comes from my 11-year-old brother, Aaron, who was born with Down syndrome. Because of his diagnosis, I have found myself a part of a unique and amazing community that includes the remarkable people of WisconSibs. In addition to my involvement with WisconSibs I am an active member of the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin- Fox Cities Walk Committee, I am working part-time for the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin- Family Services, and I am providing respite care for two sisters with Down syndrome, ages 12 and 14. This is, of course, in addition to my volunteer work as well as spending time with my family. In terms of schooling, I will be a junior at UW-Stevens Point this fall studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders for Speech Language Pathology with a minor in Spanish. During the academic year, I work in the Disability and Assistive Technology Center on campus.
I feel as though this internship is an amazing opportunity for me to gain relevant experiences, make connections, learn leadership skills, and to make a difference. I’m really looking forward to all the things that the people at WisconSibs have to teach me and the ways that planning for their events will help me to develop as a leader within my own life. I am also excited to work for an organization that helps a group of individuals that I am directly a part of and understand their need for resources and support. Given that I intend to work with individuals with disabilities within my career I feel that making connections with their siblings and their needs is a very integral part in ensuring the success of my future clients. Siblings are often some of the most important advocates in the lives of individuals with disabilities and I believe that investing in them leads to the achievements of their siblings with disabilities.
As the summer goes on I will be helping plan various fundraising, awareness, and leadership events to help benefit the siblings of individuals with disabilities within our community. I am so excited to be a part of the WisconSibs team!
Calli Hughes:
Hello! My name is Calli Hughes and I’m the other WisconSibs summer interns. I just finished my Sophomore year at UW-Madison where I am studying Math and Community & Nonprofit Leadership. With aspirations to someday work in the nonprofit sector, WisconSibs seemed like a perfect fit! While WisconSibs is new to me, I already understand the great impact it makes on the community they serve. As someone who wants to explore the nonprofit sector and who is a sibling myself, WisconSibs seemed like a great opportunity to connect with a unique community.
Having a sibling with a disability, I have never really had the opportunity to connect with siblings, like myself in my town or at Madison. My brother, Dane, is Deaf and qualifies for blind services. He also has undiagnosed physical and cognitive impairments. As one of my best friends, Dane has been my inspiration for so much of my life. He is the reason I am who I am today.
While at WisconSibs, I will be focusing my time on the website, social media, and marketing. I hope to expand the reach that WisconSibs makes statewide so that more siblings can become knowledgable about their support. I hope to learn from fellow siblings about their experiences as well as just gain a deeper appreciation for WisconSibs and the community they serve!
Teen Sibs Win Award
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WisconSibs Teen Sib Leaders were honored with the Fox Cities Youth Alliance volunteer group of the year award. The hours of volunteerism these young leaders have devoted has made a large impact! These young leaders represent the often untold stories of so many, many siblings who take on adversity and become resilient, courageous, compassionate, and wise leaders. Embrace your strength. Never apologize for not accepting things the way they are. Hold on to one another as you overcome barriers for yourself, your siblings with disabilities, and others who go unnoticed or unregarded. Lead. Thrive. Celebrate.
And the finalists are….
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
WOW!! The Peeps really came out in force this spring! More than 30 entries in our recent Sibs Are My Peeps photo contest. This annual awareness raising event brings out the most creative, most fun-loving peeps. See the results!
Congratulations to our finalists:
- Taelyn, Gia, and Maribel from Brillion for “Peep on Swimming”
- Glenbrook Elementary School – Mrs. Rettler’s class for “Go Peeps Go”
- Anna & Analiese from New London/Hortonville, WI for “Peeps Grand Cinema”
- Leah Quinn from Neenah for “Peep Yoga Studio”
- The staff and clients of CP Fox Cities for “Party on Peepabago”
- A2Z Design from Appleton for “Peeps Be Chillin'”
- Elise from Appleton for “Peepin’ Around the Farm”
- Penelope from Hortonville for “Peeps Cabin”
and honorable mention from entries by Denmark High School Photography students.
See all the 2019 Sibs Are My Peeps entries by clicking 2019 Sibs Are My Peeps
National Caregiver Day – Feb 15, 2019
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
It is estimated that in Wisconsin, 549,000 caregivers are providing 588,000 million hours of care to loved ones annually, valued at nearly $6 billion dollars.[1] MORE INFO
Making up a significant portion of those caregivers are siblings caring for their aging parents AND their siblings with disabilities, often while caring for their own growing children!
To recognize the care providers, both paid and unpaid, who provide personal cares of all types to people with disabilities, older adults and other family members and friends who require support to remain healthy and living in their homes and communities, we celebrate National Caregiver Day on February 15, 2019 (3rd Friday of February).
Many of the siblings, usually sisters, caring for family members are also employees and often challenged to juggle the needs of their family members with job requirements. Often they must choose to either remain employed or leave to care for their family. Employers are feeling the effects.
Wisconsin employers recently confirmed the impact of caregiving on the Wisconsin workforce in a survey sponsored by the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA). WisconSibs is an active member of WFACSA.
[1] National Center on Caregiving https://www.caregiver.org/caregiving-across-states-50-state-profiles-2014
Upcoming events for 2019
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
Time to mark your 2019 calendar:
SIBshop
February 9, 2019 – 2-4 pm – YMCA, Kimberly
March 3, 2019 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Old 45 Archery, Hortonville – note – SPA Sibshop
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference Sibshop Form
Summer Camps
NEW! – June 20-23, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9 plus in TENTS, Door County
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for ages 6-12, Plamann Park
August 8-11, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 9-11 in YURTS, Door County
August 15-18, 2019 – Sib Camp for ages 12 – 16 in YURTS, Door County
Teen Sibs
February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training – Appleton
April 12-13, 2019 – Leadership trip – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
June 13, 2019 – Teen Sib Leadership Day – Beaming, Neenah
July 22-26, 2019 – SibDays of Summer for Teen Sib Leaders, Plamann Park
Fundraisers
March 8, 2019 – Vegas Madness – Timber Rattler’s Fox Club, Appleton
October 22, 2019 – Celebrate Sisterhood – Red Lion Hotel, Appleton
Conferences and Trainings
February 7, 2019 – Dementia in Persons with IDD, Appleton
February 9, 2019 – WisconSibs Facilitator Training, Appleton
March 9, 2019 – K.I.T.E. Conference, Appleton
March 20, 2019 – Disability Advocacy Day, Madison
April 11-13, 2019 – Autism Conference – Kalahari at The Dells
May 2-3, 2019 – Circles of Life Conference, Stevens Point Sibshop Registration Form
Other
January 10, 2019 – TOP 10 THINGS SIBS WANT YOU TO KNOW,Kaukauna
March 1-31, 2019 – Sibs Are My Peeps photo contest- open to all individuals and groups
April 6, 2019 – Fox Cities KIDZ EXPO – WisconSibs Sibling’s Day Celebration, Appleton
Watch for more updates on our calendar page
Caregiver Conference in New London
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
I’m so pleased to be presenting at an upcoming Caregiver Conference hosted by the Waupaca County Caregiver Coalition. The main reason I’m so pleased is that they recognize that one of the many important roles of siblings of people with disabilities is that of a caregiver.
Whether that role is taking their sibling to appointments, to go shopping, acting as their guardian, or being a reliable companion and ready listener, SIBLINGS ARE CAREGIVERS, often at very young ages.
This conference will focus on Resiliency in Caregiving. So regardless who you may be caring for, consider attending.
Oct-Dec 2018 SibNews: News for and about siblings of people with disabilities
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
This issue features articles:
DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW – How a long-distance caregiver keeps stays close to her sisters
HOLIDAY STRESS – How siblings compare to the general population and tips for dealing with the frenzy.
YOU MIGHT BE A CAREGIVER IF… What would you add?
WHERE-THE-SUN-DON’T-SHINE Green Tomato Soup recipe
Calendar for October, November, December
You Might be a Caregiver If…
Posted on by WisconSibs Team
In preparation for National Caregiver Month (November), WisconSibs, Inc is participating in the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA) You Might Be a Caregiver If… campaign to raise awareness of the needs of caregivers.
Check it out!
For more information, visit https://arcwi.org/wisconsin-family-caregiver-support-alliance
Want to make a meme with your photo and punchline? Follow these instructions.
- Go to https://makeameme.org/
- Click ‘Upload image’ in upper right hand corner with a little cloud icon and select a picture from your computer to upload
- Click the yellow box that says “Click here or drag an image here” and select the picture you just uploaded.
- In the “Top Text” box, type in “You Might Be A Caregiver When”
- In the “Bottom Text” box, type in your response
- Then click the green box that states “Make the Meme”
- Then right click and select either ‘copy image’ and paste in email and send to me; or select “save image as” and save to your computer, then attach it to an email and send it to wfacsa@gmail.com
SibNews – Special Anniversary Edition
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This Special Anniversary Edition of SibNews features Ben and his sister, Amanda. Ben has been active with WisconSibs since practically the beginning and shares how the organization and the siblings he’s met has made a difference in his life.
Plus, LOTS OF PHOTOS from our 20th Anniversary Celebration and some of the amazing treasures found in the Time Capsule that siblings created 20 years ago at one of the first SIBshop.
or Contact us to request a printed copy.