Siblings

by Kate Strohm

This book tells what it is like to grow up with a brother or sister with a disability or illness. The siblings of children with a disability are often the overlooked ones in families struggling to cope. Kate Strohm, a sibling herself, bravely shares the story of her journey from isolation and confusion to greater understanding and acceptance. She provides a forum for other siblings to describe their challenges and provides them with strategies to make sense of their experiences. Through the workshops she has presented around Australia and overseas, Kate has been able to incorporate the experience and wisdom of many families and professionals, and provide clear tools for parents and practitioners to support brothers and sisters of those with a disability. "'Siblings' is a very special book. What makes it stand apart from many self-help books is its comprehensiveness, its clear writing and its clever planning. It should be part of every family's library." - Helen Coverton, "Your Health". "This is an important book: reassuring to other siblings, helpful to parents and essential reading for professionals." - "Times Educational Supplement", UK. "After many years of anxiety and guilt, this book, along with the support of other siblings, helped me to rebuild a relationship with my brother that I once thought unachievable." - Stephanie Fewster. "'Siblings' sends a lifeline to families of children with disability." Jill Whittaker, parent. "Reading 'Siblings' has been one of the most emotionally relieving experiences of my life. I related to just about every page, and I cried a lot." - Leila Pastore, Michigan, USA

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2004

About the author

Kate came from a medical science background and moved into health promotion and journalism.
In 1999, she established Siblings Australia (www.siblingsaustralia.org.au) which focuses on supporting siblings of children/adults living with disability or chronic illness.
Her first book, Siblings, was published in Australia in 2002, followed by a UK version in 2004 (last on the list) and then the US version (Being the Other One) in 2005.
They are all the same book inside but each publisher in the three different countries wanted a different title and cover. Very confusing for readers!
In 2014 a revised edition of Siblings was published in Australia (2nd on list below)