Sandy could be an imaginative, creative playmate, and our children spent many happy hours playing blocks, dress-ups, and make believe when they were young. She could also be unpredictable, short tempered, and wildly out of control. Siblings of children affected by FASD put up with a lot, and their experience can help them become strong, wise adults.
Though Sam and Molly developed maturity and understanding at a young age, growing up with Sandy left its scars. Molly witnessed terrifying violence when Sandy lost control. Sam, away at college during Sandy's most difficult times, suffered the stress of listening to disastrous news flashes he could do nothing about. Both worried about all of our safety. I wish we had been better able to relieve them of these burdens.
Fortunately, support for sibling is now much more widely available. Some of the many sources for information include Socal FASD Network Overview; Substance and Mental Health Services Administration booklet ; sibling support network.
Sam and Molly accepted Sandy with innocent grace. They taught her how to play. They always encouraged her. They shared their parents. We couldn't have survived without them.
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