TV programmes for adult siblings
Sibling stories
Being a sibling can be complicated and challenging. Many siblings grow up not knowing there are other people out there with similar experiences, but it can really help to know that you’re not alone. In this section, adult siblings share their stories of life with their disabled brother or sister.
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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
Books for adult siblings
Non-fiction Brother. Do. You. Love. Me By Manni Coe and Reuben Coe (2024); Canongate Sunday Times Bestseller. Waterstones non-fiction book of the month, March 2024. Shortlisted for Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. “Reuben, aged 38, was living in a home for adults with learning disabilities and struggling to accept that he … Continued
Tyler – Poem: “Dear Connor”
Dear Connor, I sometimes sit and wonder just how different life would be if the Gods had made you the “standard” of what a young man should be. I wonder if you’d be out all day, playing with your friends. Or chatting up the girls and driving our Mum round the bend! Would you have … Continued
Alyx – “Just because your sibling has a lot going on, it does not mean your feelings should be pushed to one side.”
‘My sister, Katy’, the three most common words which come out of my mouth everyday. Like any little sister, I absolutely idolised my big sister growing up. I always knew that she was different but I didn’t fully grasp that being ‘different’ wasn’t really accepted by society. I always saw my sister as the most … 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
Rachel – “I forget the world sees my sister differently to how I do”
For as long as I can remember, I have been close to my sisters. I’m the youngest of three – it feels like having two best friends who will always look out for me. I was drawn to Sibs because one of my sisters, Joanna, has autism and a learning disability. When Joanna and I … Continued
Would you like to help other siblings by sharing your own story? Please get in touch.