‘Glass children' are the siblings of a person with special needs. Here's how that experience can affect their adult years

Title: Hidden Struggles of Siblings with Disabilities #

Growing up in Chicago, a woman named Alicia Meneses Maples experienced the challenges of having two younger brothers with disabilities. She refers to herself as a glass child, the sibling of a person with a mental or physical disability. The term “glass child” describes the experience of feeling invisible and overlooked in families where parents are focused on caring for a child with special needs. These “glass children” often prioritize the needs of their parents and siblings over their own. Little research has been done on the effects of growing up with a sibling with special needs. However, recent television series have portrayed these sibling relationships, and individuals like Meneses Maples are sharing their stories to raise awareness and support for others in similar situations. The experience of being a glass child can lead to lifelong feelings of guilt and a desire to overachieve and be hyper-independent. It is important for adults to recognize the needs of both sets of children and provide support and understanding. By sharing their experiences, Meneses Maples and others hope to shed light on the hidden struggles of siblings with disabilities and give voice to those who often feel unseen and unheard.