To The Siblings Of The Chronically Ill | The Odyssey Online
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Health and Wellness

To The Siblings Of The Chronically Ill

We are sorry for giving you a lack of attention

Kaitlyn Brennan
Nov 07, 2016
Influencers of New Jersey
30
To The Siblings Of The Chronically Ill
Kaitlyn Brennan

I'm sorry. I know that I shouldn't be apologizing right now for being sick, but I truly am sorry. I'm sorry that you get stuck home alone while I am dragged from doctor to doctor. I'm sorry that you don't have a sister to go out and play with you, and I'm sorry that I steal our parents from doing things with you.

I really do feel that siblings of children with illnesses get the short end of the stick. The thing about being sick is that I require a lot of attention. I may not like it, I may protest it at times, but I need a lot of support to keep going day by day. I need constant encouragement, 24/7 monitoring, and an insane number of doctors.

What do you get? You get to be home alone daily while mom drives me around from appointment to appointment. You get stuck without anyone home to help you with homework, or to take you where you want to go. I am so sorry.

I know that I did not choose to get sick or for it to snowball out of control, but I can't help but feel guilty. I feel like you are missing out in not having the support that you need because I require an obscene amount, so please understand that I truly am sorry.

Thank you for your continual support despite your probable anger over the situation. Rather than being bitter over your lack of attention, you do projects about me. You tell teachers about your sister and her illnesses, calling me a role model and inspiring. I will never understand how you remain so positive over this but thank you for being so amazing.

For all of the siblings of people with chronic illnesses please understand that we did not choose this life. We do not like the constant attention, and we wish that we could share it with you.

To my brother, thank you for being so amazing these past 10 months. I don't know what I would do without you. I love you, Connor.


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