In this absorbing and candid book, Mary McHugh reveals what she experienced as the sister of a man with cerebral palsy and mental retardation--and shares what others have learned about being and having a ? oespecial sibling.? ? Weaving a lifetime of memories and reflections with relevant research and interviews with more than 100 other siblings and experts, McHugh explores a spectrum of feelings--from anger and guilt to love and pride--and helps readers understand the issues siblings may encounter in childhood--such as dealing with their own needs for attention and information, identifying with their parents? (TM) grief, understanding their sibling? (TM)s disability, and coping with their own feelings adolescence--such as participating in family discussions, fitting in with peers, searching for their own identity, and talking to a counselor or therapist adulthood--such as building a support system, navigating adult relationships, deciding whether to have children, and planning for their sibling? (TM)s future care Emotional and enlightening, this book is a must-read for teen and adult siblings--and all professionals who support people with disabilities and their families.
Mary McHugh has had books published on subjects ranging from law to death. Her first book, The Woman Thing (Praeger), was reviewed in the New York Times Book Review and remained in print for 5 years. Her other books, published by Franklin Watts, are Law and the New Woman, Psychology and the New Woman, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care, Engineering and Engineering Technology, and Young People Talk About Death. Ms. McHugh has worked at The New York Times for its magazine's special sections, including Sophisticated Traveler and Fashions of the Times. She has also written for the Arts and Leisure section, the Magazine, and the Travel section. Telling Jack, the article that she wrote for the Hers column of The New York Times Magazine, was nominated for best personal essay by the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Loving Jack, her Good Housekeeping article, was nominated for an award by the American Society of Magazine Editors. The first edition of Special Siblings: Growing Up with Someone with a Disability was awarded a prize for Special Recognition of a National Project by The Arc of New Jersey. Ms. McHugh was a contributing editor to Cosmopolitan magazine for 10 years, writing articles about successful women and relationships. She has also worked as an articles editor at three other national magazines. Ms. McHugh can be reached at mmchugh655@aol.com.
"An informative, even passionate book, one that will clearly help many siblings of individuals with disabilities." --Robert M. Hodapp, Ph.D.
