TV programmes for adult siblings
Category: Learning disabilities (mild/moderate)
Films for adult siblings
An Irish Goodbye (2022) “On a farm in rural Northern Ireland, estranged brothers Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) and Lorcan (James Martin) are forced to reunite following the untimely death of their mother (Michelle Fairley). But when the pair discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mum, their pained reunion takes an altogether different course.” … Continued
Rachael – “Having a partner who accepted my family and all that it entails was a huge priority for me”
I met my partner Isobel at work almost ten years ago. Neither of us were open about our sexualities at this point. We were good friends for around a year before getting together. I told Isobel about my sibling situation very early on as having a partner who accepted my family and all that it … Continued
Olivia – “My mother and I had joint counselling. I’d recommend it”
My sibling situation that brings me here to Sibs is that my youngest sister has Down’s Syndrome. Like most of us it’s not that simple. There are many other facets to my identity associated with my family. My sibling to sibling relationship is probably the most simplest part of it. The most complex is my … Continued
Lisa – “We know neither of us is a mind-reader, so the easiest way to work on things is to speak to each other about how we’re feeling.”
My partner and I met through a dating app in my early 30s. We did our own thing after the first couple of dates, then came back together the next year. We lived apart in different cities in the UK for the first 2.5 years. We took our time in building a relationship. Our lives … Continued
Sophie – “As a sibling, I felt guilty about my divorce”
By my mid 20s I had begun to realise that any boyfriend I brought home had to pass the fairly rigorous test of being able to love my family as well as me. It was a big ask, with two elder brothers who have learning disabilities due to Fragile X syndrome. My family seemed full … Continued
Jools – “I’m coming out, I know who I am. A sibling.”
An extract from “The Sibling” by Jools Abrams You can support Jools’ crowdfunder campaign to publish the book here. Epilogue: Blackpool It is the first day of October, two days shy of my brother’s fifty second birthday, when we find ourselves on holiday again, the first without our parents, and the first time we are … Continued
Rachel – “Don’t let the needs of your brother/sister come before your own happiness in relationships”
I met my partner at my local library where we were both volunteering over the summer. Three months previously, I had split with my ex-girlfriend and quit a teaching job that was impacting my mental health – I was definitely not looking for a relationship! He struck me instantly as a kind, genuine person and … Continued
Holly – “How my sibling relationship changed as I moved away to university”
A sibling relationship is one of the most unique familial relationships out there. It usually outlives any other kind of familial relationship, meaning the impact it can have in shaping an individual’s life can be huge. When you add disability to this, the relationship becomes even more formative, for both parties. I grew up with … Continued
Adult sibling experiences of secondary school
Read the stories of eight adult siblings as they reflect on their experiences of secondary school. We asked them what helped them as a child, what didn’t, and what support they would want for young siblings today. The responses are powerful. “I told my teacher that my sister has cerebral palsy and he immediately recognised … Continued