Encore Presentation of "Siblings in the CHD Community"

Having a chronically ill child in the family has an impact on the whole family, including healthy siblings. According to the World Facts and Statistics on Disabilities and Disability Issues, about 10% of the total world’s population, or roughly 650 million people, live with a disability. Since heart defects are the number one birth defect, millions of families are impacted by congenital heart defects. Families of chronically ill children frequently have healthy children who are often overlooked when the ill child is hospitalized. Children’s responses to having a chronically ill sibling vary depending on age, especially in relation to the age of chronically ill child. In some cases healthy children can develop anxiety, acting out behaviors and depression. In other cases, the healthy children seem to become more mature and compassionate than their peers without chronically ill siblings. This show will examine we can help healthy children cope when their sibling is hospitalized.