Siblings are like flowers from the same garden where each flower has their own unique traits and personalities. Throughout a lifetime, siblings challenge, respect, admire and teach each other life lessons when necessary. As part of our Autism Awareness Month programs, the HDS Foundation has been sharing Blogs that provide Community Resources along with personal testimonials. We asked two of our Foundation’s Board Members, who happen to be sisters, to share how they achieved such a special sibling bond bounded by love, courage, and understanding. Here is what they had to say about their connection and why it is one of a kind.

“Those of us with younger brothers and sisters experience a different type of love and connection with our sidekicks. We joke about how lucky they are to have us as their sibling, but it’s much more than that. It’s about the opportunity we’ve had to grow and learn about ourselves through each other’s perspectives, interactions, and life experiences. We are all very different and have exceptional dynamics with each other, and the outside world. My sister Kate is Autistic, growing up with a sister on the Autism Spectrum has provided me with a better understanding of many different aspects of life relationships and our lives in general. There can be conflict and confusion, as with any sibling relationship. Still, there’s an unspoken trust and a great sense of care that comes with experiencing the unknown together. We can teach each other our different perspectives, while also being challenged with everyday endeavors that can turn into turmoil. Trying to figure out how to solve a problem at hand is not always pretty, predictable, or successful when your thought processes are entirely different and unnatural to each other. However, we are always able to persevere, grow, and thrive through our experiences because of the unconditional love we share for one another. Yet, it’s not always about solving problems; I have learned that it’s more about being there to support and understand my sister in the ways she needs to be supported, rather than how I feel I should support her. These experiences have taught me to become a better sister to Kate and my other siblings while becoming a kinder person to people in my life. I always remind my siblings how grateful I am for the love and support our relationship brings to me, and I always remind myself to practice self-gratitude,” said Meagan Bouscher, Secretary of the HDS Foundation Board of Directors.

“My sister is an extraordinary person; I remember her teaching me ballet, dressing me up for Halloween, and traveling all over the world while singing Disney songs. I am on the Autism Spectrum, and sometimes things are difficult for me to process; however, things aren’t only difficult for me, they’re also difficult for Meagan. She has Diabetes and experiences daily challenges and difficulties. Meagan has had to wear a pump, test her sugar levels, and give herself insulin since she was 11 years old. I want to say that she is my hero. Meagan is beautiful, funny, an artist who loves antiques and everything vintage. She has some interesting tattoos, and, most importantly, has always been very dedicated to helping people with Autism. I think we are both a little stubborn, emotional, and sometimes we might consider that the other gets more attention from family and friends. Still, overall, I think she is awesome! I have the best sister; I hope as we grow older, we can stay best friends forever. I pray that she will always be healthy and so that we can continue to enjoy experiences together for many years to come. I love my sister Meagan,” said Kate Gilson Miranda, Junior Board Member of the HDS Foundation.