9 episodes

The Secret Life of Sibs is made for siblings of people with special needs, by a twin of someone with special needs. Join us for honest conversations with adult siblings from diverse backgrounds. Let's help redefine the expected sibling narrative. Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows - it’s sunshine streaming through dark clouds and storms and it’s sometimes struggling to see the rainbow. Speaking that communal experience into the light can reach those of us otherwise alone in our circumstance.

The Secret Life of Sibs Romila Santra

    • Kids & Family
    • 5.0 • 3 Ratings

The Secret Life of Sibs is made for siblings of people with special needs, by a twin of someone with special needs. Join us for honest conversations with adult siblings from diverse backgrounds. Let's help redefine the expected sibling narrative. Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows - it’s sunshine streaming through dark clouds and storms and it’s sometimes struggling to see the rainbow. Speaking that communal experience into the light can reach those of us otherwise alone in our circumstance.

    Episode 9: Micaela's Episode

    Episode 9: Micaela's Episode

    We're back after a long hiatus!
    Learn about Micaela’s experience as sister to her younger brother, who has autism and is non-verbal. Micaela shares her insights into how to maintain an individual identity as a sibling, manifestations of sibling trauma, the difficult family conversations at transition points, and more. 
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 and SibNet are fantastic Facebook communities with thousands of siblings! 
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode.  

    • 50 min
    Episode 8: Amanda's Experience

    Episode 8: Amanda's Experience

    Learn about Amanda's experience with her younger brother, who has various disabilities following an accident at an early age. She discusses raising children alongside caregiving for her brother, when family can and can't be there for you, and how siblings might maintain their sense of individuality and self-worth while caregiving.
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 and SibNet are fantastic Facebook communities with thousands of siblings! 
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode. 
    (Transcript coming soon!)

    • 47 min
    Episode 7: Lakshmi's Experience

    Episode 7: Lakshmi's Experience

    Come listen to Lakshmi's experience with her older brother, diagnosed with autism. She discusses what it means to be a second-generation immigrant and a sib, South Asian stigmas concerning disability, and how to find a therapist with similar values to you.
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 and SibNet are fantastic Facebook communities with thousands of siblings! 
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode. 
    (Transcript coming soon!)

    • 37 min
    Episode 6: Brandon's Experience

    Episode 6: Brandon's Experience

    Learn about Brandon's experience with his younger sister, diagnosed with Krabbe disease. He discusses how his family dealt with a dire prognosis, talks about the guilt that comes from being a sib, and shares what he would tell his younger self.
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 and SibNet are fantastic Facebook communities with thousands of siblings! 
    If you or someone you know is affected by Krabbe Disease, Krabbe Connect is a non-profit working to raise awareness and conduct research about the disorder: https://krabbeconnect.org.
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode. 
    (Transcript coming soon!)

    • 30 min
    Episode 5: Kaitlyn's Experience

    Episode 5: Kaitlyn's Experience

    Learn about Kaitlyn's experience with her younger sister, diagnosed with 1p36 deletion syndrome. She discusses how being a sibling led to qualities that she employs in her career, sheds light on her sister's rare genetic disorder, and shares how she dealt family health issues as a teenager.
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 and SibNet are fantastic Facebook communities with thousands of siblings! 
    If you or someone you know is affected by 1p36 deletion syndrome, here is a link to some resources: http://www.1p36dsa.org/online-community/.
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode. 
    (Transcript coming soon!)

    • 27 min
    Episode 4: Simone's Experience

    Episode 4: Simone's Experience

    Listen in on Simone's experience with her older brother, diagnosed with various mental health disorders. She discusses how sibling identities evolve over lifetimes, her take on society's expectation for siblings, and shares an original poem with us.
    Here is a link to many resources for siblings of someone with special needs: https://www.siblingresources.org/resources. Sib20 is a fantastic Facebook community of over a thousand siblings! 
    Please contact munkasantra@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or comments, or to inquire about being on an episode. 
    (Transcript coming soon!)

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
3 Ratings

3 Ratings

Top Podcasts In Kids & Family

Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids
Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Circle Round
WBUR
Wow in the World
Tinkercast | Wondery
Story Pirates
Story Pirates