What is the purpose of the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

 Provide opportunities for adult siblings of persons with developmental disabilities, related disabilities, and brain and/or spinal cord injuries to:

•         Network with each other;
•         Share experiences, ideas, and concerns;
•     Gain information about the state’s system of supports and services; and
•     Receive training on how to effectively advocate on behalf of their brother or sister with a disability.
  

 Who is the Sibling Network For?

•  Adult siblings, 21 years of age or older, of persons with developmental disabilities, related disabilities, and brain and/or spinal cord injuries.
• Anyone else that the individual with a disability considers family in cases where there is no living sibling.
 

What are the benefits of joining the Adult Sibling Network?

•  Monthly webinars/seminars on topics of interest to siblings
• Statewide conference
• Adult Sibling Newsletter
• Adult Sibling Directory
• Support group
• Website with links to other states’ Adult Sibling Networks, other SC agencies and partners serving adults with disabilities, and legislative database.
   

   

What are the costs for joining the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

• There is NO financial cost for joining the network.  There may be some registration fees associated with attending a statewide conference.

 

How can I join the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

 Complete a membership form or apply on-line on PRO-Parents’ website ( www.proparents.org ) so we can address your interests and needs.

 Disability Definition:

A Developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability of a person which is:

(a)     attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments;

(b)     apparent before the person reaches age 22;

(c)     likely to continue indefinitely;

(d)     results in substantial functioning limitations in three or more of the areas of major life activities;

(e)     requires the need for lifelong individually planned and coordinated services.

 A brain and spinal cord injury is:

 (a)     attributed to a physical impairment, including brain injury, spinal cord injury or both, or a similar disability;

(b)     regardless of the age of onset;

(c)     not associated with a progressive degenerative illness or dementia, or a neurological disorder related to aging;

(d)     results in substantial functioning limitations in two or more major life activities.

 A Related Disability is a “severe” chronic condition (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual/hearing impairment or other condition, other than mental illness) which results in impairment of intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior and requires treatment or services similar to that required of a person with developmental disabilities.