Siblings

You may or may not be be a Caregiver, Guardian, HealthCare Proxy, Power of Attorney, Conservator, Trustee, Investment Manager, Tax Preparer, Bookkeeper, Rep Payee for SSI, and/or Advocate but you are always a brother or sister.  SibTips is a combination glossary of terms and acronyms used in the disability community and practical tips for siblings to know.  Here's a sample:

 Advocate:

An Advocate is someone who focuses on ensuring that the rights of a person with disabilities are met and not violated. Sometimes these services include special education, housing discrimination, abuse and neglect. They may be a paid advocate or a family member or friend who has the best interest of the individual at heart.

SibTip:  In the absence of a formal guardianship for your sib, you may want to become his or her advocate informally or formally with a Power of Advocacy. This will allow you to participate in the decision making aspects of their life particularly with residential, employment, and provider agencies. You won’t have any legal authorization, but you may already be acting as their “advocate” by standing by them as a sib.

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