Shock, depression, anger, acceptance, denial and hope are normal responses to the situation. Ms. Ratto has written this book from the perspective of the sibling. A companion volume, Coping with Being Physically Challenged is written from the point of view of the person with a disability. They contain stories from children and young adult's on 90 disabilities and how to live well, one day at a time. This fact sheet, as well as the books written by Ms. Ratto, speak to the positive aspects siblings often can experience.
Siblings often have a greater understanding of people and their needs.
Furthermore, children with disabled siblings appear to have more positive and fewer negative behavioral interactions than do those with nondisabled siblings. This is true for parents and certainly applies to the developing sibling. The resentment a young sibling has regarding the time a parent spends with the disabled child can change to protection of the sibling during school years or embarrassment in public. They may later become anxious over future responsibilities for the disabled sibling or outspoken advocates and behavior models of acceptance of individuals with disabilities. They may need genetic counseling to address potential issues in their own children.