Abilis “Sibshops” Workshop open to Teen Siblings of People with Special Needs

Abilis is holding a “Sibshops” workshop on Wednesday, December 16 for children and teens ages 10-to-14 who are brothers and sisters of someone who has a disability.

MK Blum (left) with her sister Brinkley (right). MK is one of the facilitators of the Abilis Sibshops program that helps siblings of those with special needs have a safe space to share their thoughts and meet others with siblings with special needs. The next Sibshops Workshop is December 16 and will be held virtually.

Sibshops are high-spirited and fun workshops that combines recreation, discussion and information for siblings of those with a disability. Sibshops provides a safe space for siblings to share their thoughts and feelings while also meeting others in similar circumstances and provides a place to enjoy themselves through different recreation activities and through playing games while also learning about the services their brother(s) or sister(s) receive.

The Sibshops event on December 16 runs from 5:00 until 6:30pm, and is virtual.

To register visit abilis.us/calendar. For questions contact Maddy Schulte at [email protected].

Sibshops is an international program created by the Sibling Support Project. The Sibshop curriculum is used throughout the United States and Canada and in Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, Iceland, Ireland, England, Italy, and Turkey.

The Abilis Sibshops program is limited to a group size of 10-to-12 siblings and will be run as a workshop, co-facilitated by Maddy Schulte and Mary Kate (MK) Blum. Maddy is a case manager, healthy relationships and self-advocacy instructor at Abilis. She is graduating in May from Fordham University with her master’s degree in social work and started at Abilis as an intern in September of 2019 and fell in love with the work they do. She received her Sibshop facilitator certification in July and couldn’t be more excited to bring Sibshops to Abilis.

Mary Kate, otherwise known as MK, is 16-years-old and attends Greenwich Academy. She is passionate about musical theater and the GA Varsity Dance Team. Outside of school, MK is a Girl Scout Senior and a volunteer at Abilis where she serves as the Secretary on the Abilis Youth Board. MK is also close with her family, especially her sister Brinkley, who along with many talents and unique qualities, is challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. MK couldn’t be more excited to bring Sibshops to Abilis where she can help siblings have fun, relax, learn and connect with other peers who just get it.

Registration is limited and spaces will fill up fast, so it is recommended to register online at abilis.us/calendar (click on the corresponding date to go to the Sibshops registration page).

Abilis is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports more than 700 individuals with special needs and their families from birth throughout their lives. Abilis has been a leader in serving the special needs community in Fairfield County in towns including, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport, Weston and Wilton, and has a long-standing reputation for individualized, high quality care. For more information, visit www.abilis.us, or facebook.com/Abilisinctwitter.com/Abilis, or instagram.com/abilis_us.