Sibling loss is a unique type of loss. There can be lots of situations that other people your age just don’t understand.
Like deciding what you’ll say when people ask, “Do you have brothers and sisters?”
Do your school friends know about your sibling who’s gone?
And what do you do on days when your parents are sad, but you had a good day, and you’re ready to chill? It can be a lot.
Today, Annalise is sharing her story about being a bereaved sibling as a teenager. It’s all in her own words.
Thank you so much, Annalise, for sharing your story with us. We are so grateful for how you’re speaking up to help others.
My brother, Nicholas, the sibling I never got to remember
I’m 13 years old, and I’m working in hospitality while I study.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet my brother, Nicholas, as he was born before me.
I have a living sister. She’s 15, and her name is Isabella.
How my family remembers Nicholas
My family does have a special way to remember my brother. We remember him by having a bear on our Christmas tree every year.
Also in my parent’s room, we also have a bear that represents him.
We also go to the Walk to Remember and say his name every year that we can.
If you’ve lost a sibling, I want you to know…
I would like to say that just keep having faith and everything will be okay.
Also, there are other people in the world going through the same thing as you.
If you’ve only got living siblings, I want you to know…
Our family always remembers our brother; he’s a part of our family, no matter what. Sibling loss does not mean you no longer have a relationship with your sibling. It just means it is not the one you wanted or expected.
How I got support from Red Nose for my sibling loss
I first found out about the support that Red Nose gives people from my Mum.
I would like to come to a support group one day, so I can try and offer support to other families.
Red Nose helped me understand other people’s situations, and also how people manage that.
Thank you!
Support groups for bereaved siblings at Red Nose
If you want to join one of our kids’ support groups like Puggles QLD, please ask your parent to post on your state or territory’s Red Nose Facebook group.
You can also find out more about how we support grieving brothers and sisters on our Bereaved Siblings and Children page.
Bereaved Sibling Month is every November and highlights sibling loss
Just like child loss, sibling loss affects people from all walks of life. One of the most famous siblings who speaks about the loss of his beautiful sister Bernadette is Dom Field, aka the Tree of Wisdom from The Wiggles.
“Before I was born, my sister Bernadette died of SIDS. She’s been a constant presence in my life, even though I never got to meet her. I’ve grown up knowing the incredible work Red Nose does to help families like mine.”
Dominic Field, the Tree of Wisdom
Read more about The Wiggles meeting Red Nose families with bereaved siblings.
Share your sibling loss story
If you are growing up without one of your siblings, and you want to share your story, please email media@rednose.org.au.
