Headshot Photo of Katelyn McInerney
2019 Award Recipient

KatelynMcInerney

Project Special Siblings

Location Birmingham, AL

Issue Area Disability Justice | Mental Health & Emotional Support

After spending more hours than she could count in more waiting rooms than she could remember, Katelyn realized she wasn’t alone. Each of these waiting rooms was full of kids just like her. Kids who probably also felt powerless, scared, alone, and like no one understood what they were going through as they waited for their siblings to receive the treatment they needed. Added to that, a quick internet search for sibling support groups left Katelyn discouraged. There weren’t any. So she started one.

Special Siblings is a nonprofit designed to provide a safe space for siblings of children with special needs to share their unique circumstances. Katelyn and Special Siblings enlist volunteer experts to facilitate monthly support group meetings designed to create a safe space for expressing emotions and participating in activities to increase understanding and empathy. Through her work, Katelyn is de-stigmatizing mental and physical disabilities.

Special Siblings support group sessions begin and end with a time share. At its core, the organization forms a safe community for participants to express themselves and feel understood.

Katelyn McInerney
The logo is the words special siblings in cursive with a small heart between them.

Special Siblings

specialsiblingsbham.org

Special Siblings is a nonprofit designed to provide a safe space for siblings of children with special needs to share their unique circumstances. It enlists volunteer experts to facilitate monthly support group meetings designed to increase understanding and empathy. Through her work, Katelyn is de-stigmatizing mental and physical disabilities.