Below are memories and kind notes from Sibshop facilitators--current and otherwise!

Hi Don!

Congratulations on a wonderful 25 years! What an impact you’ve made in SO many lives with this program…I bet 25 years ago you couldn’t have even imagined what it would eventually mean for all of the people involved. As a former facilitator, I have many positive memories.  At the end of every Sibshop while driving home, I would always reflect on just how insightful, compassionate, and mature the children were.  Having worked with kids for many years, this particular group stood out to have these very unique qualities (and at such young ages!).  To give them the avenue to share, learn, grow and have fun with other siblings proved to be invaluable.  Don’s encouragement, energy and commitment motivated all of the facilitators to give it their best for these wonderful kids!  Thank you for your mentorship and giving me the opportunity to build relationships with our fabulous Sibshop sibs!

Sincerely,
Kari Marti, CCLS
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center
Seattle
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Hi Don,

Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Sibshops! What a wonderful occasion! I want to thank you for the many years of support, understanding, good humor, and positive energy. I remember our first meeting, when I was a stumbling work-study student at the EEU. You graciously took time to describe the issues facing family members of children that have special needs, and humbly introduced me to the programs for extended family members in which you had a hand. That conversation opened up a new window to family strengths and resiliency, and has affected my career path for the past 20+ years. Thank you so much for your mentoring and encouragement. Your love for these kids and their families and your unflagging enthusiasm for the work you do were, and still are, inspirational to others.

In celebration with and for you and the Sibling Support Project,

Rhoda Berlin, MS, LMFT
Seattle, WA

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When I went looking for a place to do my masters in special education I didn't really know where to start.  A professor of mine recommended I look at the University of Washington.  I had read A View from Our Shoes and knew that Don Meyer was also in Seattle. I contact both the UW and Don to schedule a visit.

Not only did I love the program and the people at University of Washington, think the city of Seattle was a very cool place, but Don Meyer let me volunteer during a Sibshop that happened to be on the Saturday of my scheduled visit. I knew that Seattle held all the pieces for me, pursuing my teaching and addressing my needs as a sibling by working with other sibs as a facilitator.

My first year volunteering as a Sibshop facilitator in Seattle we were at the Lutheran church. I loved working with Karen, Don, and the other volunteers (including Don's daughters!). The next year we moved to the children's hospital, where I continued to work with a number of amazing co-facilitators for three more years. I have fond memories of kids trying to eat donuts off of strings with their hands behind their backs and getting powdered sugar all over their faces.

I am now living in Nashville, TN and pursuing my PhD in special education. I hope to include sibling issues in my research in the future. I recommend Don's books to families I work with and have run Sibshops in Phoenix and Nashville since I left Seattle.

Don was more than just someone I trained under, he was a mentor and friendly face in a town where I knew next to no one, and was willing to go the extra mile for me. Congratulations Don on an amazing career that continues to touch lives all over the world.

Shana Hornstein
Vanderbilt University

From left: Shana Hornstein, Terry DeLeonardis, long-time Sibshop facilitator Karen Mataya, and Sibshop volunteer Gina Meyer

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Hello Don,
Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Sibshops!  Meeting you and Sibshops has changed my life positively. Your work will change Japanese young sibs' lives as well!  The pictures of the very first Sibshop are very cool!

Yasuko Arima
Tokyo, Japan

Hiroko Arima and her sister Yasuko.  Yasuko is responsible for bringing Sibshops to Japan.

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Driving white vans to a Fort Flagler State Park on Puget Sound to spend a cold, blustery Sibshop weekend... preparing pots of pasta for that first group of siblings; those small groups providing so much insight to what it means to live with a sibling with a disability, questions and answers....

We had fun, didn't we?

Margaret Roberts
Senior Consultant
JVA Consulting, LLC
Edgewater, Colorado

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Don, hope you're doing something special to celebrate today. What an amazing thing, to know you've made the lives of so many siblings better over the past 25 years. I cannot thank you enough for starting Sibshops; it helped me through some pretty challenging things as a kid, and I'm thrilled to be a facilitator now.

Congrats!
 
Kris

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Thanks for all the encouragement and your learning expertise; you are such an advocate for the sibs.  Thanks for being around and congratulations on 25 years.
 
Mary Klump
Sibshop Facilitator and Sibling Playroom Coordinator
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center
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Don,
You are our knight in shining armor here at Seattle SIBSHOPS. Thank you for starting this whole thing!!! The thanks and praise we receive every year from sibs and families is priceless!  Hope you enjoyed your b-day celebration and we look forward to MANY, MANY, MANY more SIBSHOP years!
Love & hugs,
from your Seattle Crew J

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