The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) (www.siblingleadership.org) is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and promote issues important to them and their entire families. Membership is free. You can join by going to the above link, clicking on “Join Now” and providing your name and email address.
During 2014, the national sibling network grew to over 4000 siblings & supporters with 17 state chapters, became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, led webinars, created an Advocacy Toolkit for siblings that includes Sibling Policy Videos and the 2014 Sibling Policy Brief highlighting legislation significant to siblings.
The National Sibling Leadership Network Conference was held May 30 & 31, 2015 at The Galt House in Louisville, KY. Over twenty two states were represented as well as the countries of Israel, Ireland and Taiwan. Twenty people from Kentucky attended and three, Jessica Marschke, Susan White and Alyssa Frommeyer, participated on a sibling panel. Carolyn Wheeler with HDI/UK and Karen Perch, Ph.D., J.D., also presented on the topic of legal and futures planning issues
Wheeler shared that what she enjoyed most about the conference was “meeting siblings from across the country and hearing them share their love for and concerns about their brother or sister’s current situation and future.” She also appreciated, ” meeting with the SLN Board after the conference with folks from Kentucky interested in starting a chapter.”
Kentucky has sent in an affiliation agreement to develop the Kentucky Sibling Leadership Network as a chapter of the SLN. If you have interest in being a part, please ask to join the Kentucky Sibling Leadership Network on Face Book or contact Carolyn Wheeler at carolynb.wheeler@uky.edu.
