My Brother is disabled, i need some help.?

Question

My brother is 9, he weighs just 2 stone, and has cerebral palsy, water on the brain and chronic lung disease. He goes to a mainstream school as we thought it would be best for him, and he gets on fine with everyone, but i am getting so scared about him going to secondary school because i know what the kids there are like. Its making me ill because i am so worried about people bullying him. We want him to go to mainstream so he learns more, i really dont know what to do??

Answer 1

Talk about it with your parents.

Your concern is real.

You need a common strategy.

Something I would recommend:

Introduce your brother to the class (think about who is going to do this).

Tell them a story (not necessarily true, don't go into details) how kids thought it was cool to pick on a disabled child.  Probably they thought of themselves as brave, or maybe they didn't think at all.

Thinking about that is enough to make everybody angry at those inconsiderate selfish bullies.

Nobody wants to be one of those.

If you do that well, the kids in the class will start off the relationship with your brother hating people who pick on defensless kids; and not as an 'easy target'.

Answer 2

There are special education teachers who can work with your parents to help make sure he can adjust well.  Some school programs are designed to help students like your brother fit in better.  Does your school system allow school choicing?  If things get rough, you can talk to the teachers, psychologists and school couselors and nurse about what is going on.  They are required to provide the right learning environment for him.

You and your parents can meet with teachers and other school staff to help plan for the next school year for your brother to help him have a good IEP that will work for him.  If by chance things are not going right for him next year, you can have more meetings to make adjustments to the IEP.

Answer 3

Your post is so sad.  I'm so sorry for how you are feeling but I understand completely.  My son is 12 and he is disabled.  My daughter is 10 and she has the same feelings about her brother.  She said that she would beat anyone up who bothered her brother.  She was kidding of course but she loves him so much and she is always looking out for him  Have you shared your feelings with your parents?  You shouldn't have to hold these feelings in.  Kids are mean and if they would bully a disabled child then shame on them.  I am certain that your brother will be fine.  I am learning that most kids are compassionate towards kids with special needs and want to learn from them and help them.  If he is going mainstream but has disabilities then there should be an aide or a shadow with him all day.  If you don't think that mainstream would be best for him then maybe he should stay in his special program.  Talk to your parents.  It will work itself out.

Answer 4

First try not to stress yourself out so much.  I know he is your brother & you love him dearly & you just want him to have a good life..... he will.. don't worry!!

Be there for him & help him get adjusted in his school..

I'm sure the school is helpful in making sure the special needs class isn't mixed with the other classes...

If you're worried tell your parents that you'd like the whole family to meet with the teachers he'll be working with..... just to ease your worries.

It's nice that you care so much.

But if you make yourself ill, what good are you?

So please take good care of yourself 1st.