A Love that’s Unbroken
A Love that’s Unbroken

Categories: Community Life

Photograph of pink candy hearts, on says "I Do" the other "It's Love"By Guest Blogger Wayne Connell, Founder and President, the Invisible Disabilities Association

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Many people will celebrate it with the one they love. I asked my friend, relationship expert and New York Times best-selling author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic, Greg Godek, for his thoughts on “love.” This is what he shared.

“It’s all about love (just consult the Bible or The Beatles). But if love isn’t expressed on a regular basis, it withers (just consult divorce rate statistics.) This is where romance comes in (just consult my book, 1001 Ways to be Romantic). Romance is the expression of love. Romance is the action step of love. Now, here’s the secret that is hiding in plain sight: Romance is easy! Romance is really just creativity applied to your relationship. Romantic gestures don’t need to be grand or expensive. Actually, the best romance is the most heartfelt – the gesture that shows you’re thinking of your partner, the little gift that shows you really understand and appreciate him or her. Romance keeps love alive. And while love is desired by everyone, it is absolutely critical for couples who are dealing with invisible disabilities. You need love to sustain you through experiences that other people can’t even imagine. And in order to keep love alive, you have to nurture it every day. Every day. Romance: It’s not just for Valentine’s Day anymore.”

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Groundbreaking New Study from Easter Seals Looks at Sibling Caregivers
Groundbreaking New Study from Easter Seals Looks at Sibling Caregivers

Categories: Caregiving

Logo for Easter Seals' Sibling StudyBy Guest Bloggers Dr. Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH and National Director of Autism Services at Easter Seals, and Rachel Talen, Public Relations Coordinator, Easter Seals

We often think of spouses, parents or adult children as caregivers, but not siblings. However, if you have a brother or sister with a disability (and there are millions who do), this important role is likely in your future. Through its new Siblings Study, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs (an independent research firm), Easter Seals wanted to learn more about siblings who act as caregivers to their brothers or sisters who have disabilities, and how their lives compare to those who do not have a sibling with a disability.  

Siblings can bring much joy to life — those who care for their siblings with a disability who responded to our study said their sibling has had a positive impact on their quality of life, helping them develop patience, understanding and compassion, as well as helping to provide perspective. These sorts of feelings were reported more by people who had siblings with disabilities than those who did not.  

The number of adult siblings in the study who reported that they are already the primary caregiver for their siblings with a disability was 23 percent. That’s a shocking statistic, especially when many primary caregivers report they don’t get emotional, physical or financial help from friends and family. Nearly a third of the study respondents who were not already the primary caregiver said they expect to assume this role in the future.

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It’s Ability, Not Disability, That Matters Most
It’s Ability, Not Disability, That Matters Most

Categories: Community Life, Veterans & Military

Photograph of Susan Reynolds and her son Ian

By Guest Blogger Susan Reynolds

I remember that day in elementary school very well. I was taken out of class and brought to the office to answer a bunch of questions. I was told that I was being tested; for what, I didn’t know. One of the tests asked me to provide synonyms for words such as big, hot, cold or small; I have never forgotten that. After the test was done, I felt pretty good, but confused. Why would I need to take a test like that?

Then I got my answer.

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