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Sibshop Memories and Kind Notes from Colleagues, Friends, and Family
Hi Don
I want to congratulate you on behalf of Sibs for the superb work you have been doing for siblings over 25 years. The way you have raised awareness of sibling needs and have developed the Sibshops model has been a great source of inspiration to us in the UK. You deserve to be very proud of the difference you have made to the lives of a very hidden group of people.
Well done,
Monica
Monica McCaffrey
Director
Sibs
For brothers and sisters
of disabled children & adults
Hey Don-
This baby of yours is all grown up and walking tall all around the globe! I have been privileged to see so many versions of Sibshops is so many parts of this country (and in Japan!) and hear the enthusiasm of the facilitators and Sibshoppers themselves. You have made such an important and needed contribution to the lives of so many kids and families.... and that heartfelt touch of yours will be a gift that "keeps on giving" for generations to come.
Thanks for your efforts, inspiration and great tenacity on behalf of sibs of all ages-
Here's to the next 1/4 century!
Your friend and colleague in all things sib and beyond-
Anne Guthrie
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Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to Sibshops!
Your family could not be prouder of the wonderful work and world-wide contributions you have made to children and families during these 25 years...
We support you and love you and thank you for Sibshops everyday...
with all our Love,
Terry, Gina, Angela, Tony, and Rosie
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Dear Don,
Please accept my very best regards and good wishes on the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Sibshops. Hard to believe you have been at it that long. Thinking back, I recall when you first did a training for me in Cincinnati. I remember thinking that the two us seemed to have a lot in common. I suspect that was close to 20 years ago and I have always valued the support and guidance you have graciously provided. Here's to another 25 Don. You truly have been a Real Inspiration to so many of us throughout the years. Congratulations and I look forward to seeing you in DC! Take good care.
Tom
Thomas Fish, Ph.D., LISW
Director, Family & Employment Services
Nisonger Center
Ohio State University
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Hey Don,
What a wonderful achievement! Your work has had such an impact on so many families, you must feel so proud. I feel privileged to know you and call you my friend!
Celebrate Big!
Jane
Jane O'Brien
Technology Integration Specialist
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Hi Don-
Congrats on the 25 years of Sibshops! I was out of town when the official anniversary happened, but I just wanted to thank you for all you do to help brothers and sisters! You were one of the first people to really pick up on this issue and to do something about it in a way that affirms, rather than pathologizes brothers and sisters. Thank you!
John
John Kramer
Supporting Siblings in Future Planning Project
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities
University of Illinois at Chicago
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Hi, Don,
Just wanted to pass on our congrats to you for 25 years of your help in making the world a better place. Loved seeing the pictures of young Don on the website. We hope to see you next time around in Minnesota. You have many fans here.
Mickey and Richie
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Many years ago I went to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to see my brother, Don Meyer, run a training session for Sibshops. It was great to see him in action leading all of us in games and activities. He has always been such a fun brother and uncle. It made me proud to watch him share his talents and knowledge with his colleagues and the children at the workshop. Congrats on 25 years!
Karen Hanyok
Yardley, PA 19067
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Mazel tov on a great 25 years.
Don, the feedback I hear from families about your project is amazing. The lectures you give in my class every year are a highlight for my students and for me. You are truly the spokesperson for siblings of children with disabilities and more than anyone else remind professionals than families does not equal mom.
Keep up the good work!!
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Experimental Education Unit
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Hi Don,
It is nearly impossible for me to believe it has been 25 years since Sibshops took flight! Obviously, the trajectory of the program would not have been anywhere as steep or awesome if you had not made it that way.
Congratulations on making siblings everywhere so much better informed, inspired, and connected! You continue to do vitally important work...and please keep it up! Take care!
Greg Schell
Director, Fathers Network
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Dear Don,
We are always awed by ALL the good and great works you have done to help families of special kids. Congratulations on your BIG anniversary of the Sibling support Project. How WONDERFUL that you created this important venue for sibs and the powerfully positive fallout that helps both parents and their "special" child, as well.
You DO rock!!!
Love,
Nancy and John
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To Don,
You have done so much in 25 years! Congratulations on a job well done and for keeping the SSP going for so long - and against crazy odds.
It was a pleasure and a joy to work with you (both times) and to be a very small part of the important work you have done and continue to do - with your characteristic "let's make it fun and mean something" attitude.
You have given a great deal to the world with your work and you deserve a lovely pat on the back from those of us who admire and love you.
Now, for the next 25 years...
Much love to you and many kudos from all the Lotts –
Patty, Lee, Adrian and Carson
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Although I have not attended a Sibshop, I have been honored to serve on the Sibling Support Project Advisory Board and, prior to the Sibling Support Project's move to the Kindering Center, was able to provide some assistance to Don with the www.siblingsupport.org Most importantly, I have been happy to count Don among my friends ever since I moved to Seattle more than 10 years ago. It has been a privilege to know and work with Don.
Congratulations, Don!
Steven Posalski
Seattle, WA
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Uncle Don,
Congratulations on 25 years of Sibshops!!!! That is so amazing!! I have a Sibshop memory too share. I went to only one, with Gina and Angie, and I remember it was carnival themed. I wasn’t exactly sure what a Sibshop was before I went, but when I got there, it looked like a lot of fun. We got to participate in some of the games and activities, but I liked sitting in the circle and listening to the kids talk about their siblings and all the things they did together. They colored pictures of them and their siblings, and told stories--and even if they complained you were great at helping them see all the good things about their respecting siblings, and the fun things they do together.
I was so impressed, even as a little kid, because I couldn’t even fathom being in a situation that these kids were in, and yet, they came out of the Sibshop with good things to say about their siblings (and were usually shouting over each other in the circles how great they were!) and how much fun they had together.
Anyways, congratulations Uncle Don, the Sibshop I went to was amazing, as I'm sure every other one you've done has been, and hopefully will continue for much longer!!!!
Love,
Kiki
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Hi Don,
I am so proud of you. You have done an awesome job in helping people that need your help. I'll never forget the young lady in State College PA that told me how much you helped her family in their struggle living with an autistic child. She couldn't praise you enough. I was so proud.
May God bless you with good health so that you can continue this work for the next 25 years!
Love you so much!
Mom
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Hellloooo Don,
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I know Ross sent you congrats earlier, but I wanted to put in my two cents (shared by Ross of course) and add how proud we both are of you and all you've done. You've had tough times of getting funds and all, but all along your persistence and vision for Sibshops has prevailed and your efforts all along have been impressive. Not to mention being a parent blessed with four wonderful children.
Where we have merely been supportive bystanders to your program (ok, we did your identity/logo and of course everything else is built off of that, so does that mean we should get about 80% credit for everything that's happened with Sibshops?), we have enjoyed being a part of your circle of friends and supporters for your Sibshop travels and made sure your ties (you wear two at a time still, don't you) are straight and there's no food on your shirt and your hair is combed, your zipper is up, socks are matched, shirt tucked in, you're not drooling and you remember why you're in town (whisper: "to have fun with us!!"), "don't fiddle around while I'm talking, and don't play with your food!"
Seriously, your insight to a societal need leading to the building of a vital service and the global influence on behalf of Sibshops has been truly impressive and we're wishing you all the best for years to come.
Our door and home and hearts are always open to you. We look forward to your next visit and seeing you all in the spring.
Love you guy, take some time off and celebrate.
Mart (Ross too)
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Last Winter Don Meyer flew from Seattle Washington to Chicago and did a Sibshop at New Trier High School in Northbrook, Ill. I live in Chicago so I went to the meeting and watched the people in the audience mesmerized by his performance and all the answers he had for their important questions. Keep up the good work!
Mary DeLeonardis (a.k.a. your mother-in-law)
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Happy 25th Anniversary Sibshops !!!!
Although we have not attended a workshop we are aware of all the great work Don Meyer has done all over the world with Sibshops. So many families have benefited from these workshops and are so grateful to have them available.
Keep up the great work and Happy 25th Anniversary!!!!
Love,
Jim & Marcia
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i am Don Meyer's sister in law!
i have listened to him at seminars and have been in awe of him...
not only for his knowledge of children and his programs...
but more important his knowledge of the family's heart and souls.
he has a most amazing way of reaching families in the deepest of hope and need. he finds a way to remind them of the blessings...
he finds a way to keep me ( one of his sister in laws) believing in miracles....
don Meyer is truly one of life's miracles...
nancy de leonardis
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Hi Don-
Thanks for all the hard work and fun times you've put into Sibshops! I'm always excited to hear new activities for the kids!
Congratulations on the 25 years!
Maricel S. Floresca, MSW
Social Worker, Regional Epilepsy Center
Harborview Medical Center
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Greetings, Don!
I hear today is a BIG day for you and the Sibshop Project! Just wanted to send you a hearty Congratulations for your extraordinary effort over the past 25 years!! You are a saint, and I've very proud of you...:>
Thank you for making a difference in this world!
Love,
Cathy
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HAPPY 25TH!! And to think that I knew you around the time of the birth...
AND got to enjoy a real Hollywood premier!!
Here's to continuing the ride.
Love,
Marcy Stein
University of Washington, Tacoma
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Hello Don –
First, doing anything for 25 years in a row is worthy of note.
Second, keeping the Sibling Support Program going for 25 years in a row is worthy of a very special note.
My first thought for a very special note for you was either F-Sharp or B-Flat; but, I gave it a little more thought and have decided that regular ol’ G works best:
GGGGGGreat Job!!!!
Lee
Lee E. Lott & Associates
