WIXLIB

SibNewsNews for and about siblings of people with disabilitiesDecember 2020-February 2021CalendaremergesLooking forward to2021.Young SibsConnectYoung siblings a!endingSibshops express gra"tude.SiblingsVoice HopeSiblings share storiesabout theirexperiences that givethem hope.

Young SibsConnectEven during a pandemicyoung sibs share “Thank-y”Things in SibshopsNever underes"mate the depth ofthinking of young WisconSibs. OurNovember Sibshops explored siblinggra"tude with the theme “Thank-yThings”. Expressing gra"tude is key toresiliency and well-being.The kids a!ending Sibshop, some forthe very first "me, were full of energyand nerves. Some were pros withusing Zoom, but most were notaltogether sure and had ques"ons.Will it be like school? Will I feelweird? Will I feel I belong? Will it beboring? Right away, they got theirques"ons answered and relaxed. Thiswasn’t school. This was somethingjust for kids like them. This was fun.With paper and markers Bri!any, ourWisconSibs Youth Coordinator, gotthem crea"ng two hand “ThankyTurkeys”, tracing around their handsand decora"ng each finger like turkeyfeathers. Then she asked “What areyou thankful for?”. The children shylyresponded with typical answers,“family, friends, food.”Brittany “hands” out supplies using long tongs.In-person Sibshops held at the Building for Kidsprovides plenty of room for safety.As they became more involved incoloring the first turkey represen"ngthemselves, they eagerly jumped inwith: “I’m thankful for my new2 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2babysi!er.” “I’m thankful for mybrother.” “I’m thankful for making myown choices.” And these: “theRevolu"onary War”, “TV”, “SibCamp”, “Sibshop”, “animals”, “myown space”, “my daddy”, “DoctorAnother sib smiledand said, “I thinkmy brother wouldbe thankful forME!”Who” (yes, these are kids ages 6-8)!Now for the other turkey, the onethat represented their siblings withdisabili"es. Bri!any asked, “What doyou think your sibling with disabili"esmay be thankful for?” The Sibs took afew moments to think about that, butsoon a Sib popped up and exclaimed“STRAWBERRIES! My sister lovesstrawberries. When we wentstrawberry picking, I think shethought she was in StrawberryHeaven.”Another sibling squealed, “Dolphins!The only movie she wants to watchis ‘Dolphin Tale’. She’s thankful fordolphins.” Another sib smiled andsaid, “I think my brother would bethankful for ME!”How do you know someone isthankful? The answers came quickly“we hug each other”, “we playtogether”, “we help each other”.Future Sibshops; A Big DillJust like pickles, sibs experiencesweet moments in life, sour ones,and somethat feel likeno big “dill”.We’re goingto have funin 2021Sibshopsexploring allkinds of “pickles” siblings can findthemselves in. We look forward tosiblings ages 6-12 joining us virtuallyor in person. Check the calendar inthis newsle!er or visit wisconsibs.orgCOVER PHOTO: Tori, a 6-year-old sibfrom Casco, WI a!ended her firstWisconSibs Sibshop in October. Shecouldn’t wait to tell her brother Olilieall about it and show him her “WhatAbout Me?” bag she made.Bri!any Schneider,WisconSibs YouthCoordinator, leads bothvirtual and in-person Sibshops. She has over 9 yearsof experience working withfamilies and individuals affected by developmental and cogni"ve disabili"esand has spent most of her "me workingwith individuals on the au"sm spectrum.Contact her at Bri!any@wisconsibs.org

Mulligatawny Soup6-8 servingsIt may have a strange name, but trust us when we say this soup is delicious! Don't let the curry powder scare you away;this soup isn't spicy at all, has a wonderful flavor and vibrant color, and is easy and quick to make.As written, this soup is free of the Top 8 allergens, and is also garlic and onion free. Substitute 1 3/4 c. half and half forthe coconut milk if you can tolerate dairy! To make this soup vegan, simply swap in vegetable broth for the chickenbroth and a drained can of garbanzo beans for the meat.Ingredients:1 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil3 celery stalks, diced4 large carrots, peeled and diced1 tsp. kosher salt4 tsp. mild curry powder1/2 tsp. garam masala spice blend (optional)4 c. chicken or turkey broth3/4 c. uncooked white long-grain or jasmine riceWater for rice (as indicated on your rice package)1 large tart apple, peeled and diced2 c. leftover cooked and diced chicken or turkey1 (13.5 oz.) can full-fat coconut milk1 c. frozen green peas1 Tbsp. brown sugarJuice of 1/2 lemonLemon wedges and cilantro for serving (optional)SibNews will be running a series of recipes submitted by WisconSib Kristin Lanari. Kristinhas been creating allergen-friendly recipes for several years to address the needs of herfamily. You may know Kristin from her work as owner/photographer of LanariPhotography or her volunteer work with WisconSibs. Recently, Kristin was voted onto theBoard of the Sibling Leadership Network as the co-chair of Chapter Development.Instructions:In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over mediumhigh heat. Add diced celery and carrots, andsaute until the vegetables have softenedslightly but are not browned (about 3-5minutes). To the pot add salt, curry powder,garam masala (if using), broth, and waterneeded for rice and bring mixture to a boil.Once the broth mixture is boiling, add rice,setting your kitchen timer for the timedirected on the rice package.When there are three minutes left on yourtimer, add the chicken/turkey and diced apple.When your timer goes off, add the can ofcoconut milk, green peas, brown sugar, andlemon juice. Cook for one additional minuteto warm up the peas, then remove pot fromthe heat. Ladle into individual serving bowlsand top with chopped cilantro and additionallemon juice if desired!Find more recipes on Kristin’s Instagram Coffee Table Eats @coffeetableeatsVOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 31040 Breezewood Ln, Neenah, WI100 W. Fernau Ave, Oshkosh, WIP: (920) 231-0870 (V/TTY)www.lakesidepackagingplus.comContact Duane Budelier to place an ad today!dbudelier@4LPi.com or (800) 950-9952 x2525For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 www.4lpi.comWisconSibs Inc., Appleton, WIA 4C 01-1475

Siblings Voice HopeThank you to the WisconSibs and supporters who recently shared their stories for our Sibling Voices: Stories of Hope campaign: Tessa Lewis, Randy Young; Edison and Jenni Eickelberg;Michael Stack, Lyla and Stephanie Streck; Eleanor and Charlo!e Woelfel; Elise Oehler; Cherie Purdy; Lisa Schneider; and Cindy Piotrowski. Thank you also to Bill Jartz, WBAY Ac"on 2 News andAllison Norlian, sibling and 3-"me Emmy nominated journalist was our guest key note speaker. To see the presenta"on, go to YouTube and search Sibling Voices: Stories of Hope.By Stephenie Mlodzik2020 has been a year like noother—a year where collaborationand connection with communitychampions who understand theneeds of siblings has never beenmore important. We are extremelygratified by the support of ourdonors and funding partners.Your tenacity and commitment tobringing WisconSibs virtualprograms and services to as manysiblings as possible is amazing.Simply put, if it wasn’t for faithfulsupporters like you, we wouldn’texist. Your investment is making apositive impact on siblings andtheir family members withdisabilities.We would like to thank some ofthe recent grant contributors thatmake it possible to continue ourmission.J.J. Keller FoundationKnights of ColumbusKwik Trip KaresMenasha CorporationMielke FoundationRespite Care Association of WIThedaCare-NL QuasiEndowment FundUS Venture, IncWallace Family FoundationWE EnergiesWOW We CareOther Matching Donors:WisconSibs Board of DirectorsGiving Tuesday Now MatchGift matching programs*Amcor Cares FoundationMacy’sThomson ReutersThriventYour gifts continue to inspire, encourage, and empower siblings ofpeople with disabilities and theirfamilies every day. With gratefulhearts, WisconSibs staff, board,and volunteers wish you andyours a safe, healthy, and happyThanksgiving.To make a donation visit our website and look for DONATE.Sibling Voices Sponsors:*Your gift could be matched.Check with your employer.Anonymous Fund within theCommunity Foundation for the FoxValley RegionAmerican Family InsuranceDreams FoundationAppleton Rotary FoundationBader PhilanthropiesCovid-19 Community Response FundCFFVR and United WayGreen Bay Packers FoundationHortonville Area United Fund4 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2Stephenie is the WisconSibs FundDevelopment Coordinator. She iscurrently also serving as a member of the WI Board for Peoplewith Disabilities.Contact her at Stephenie@wisconsibs.org.

WisconSibs Staff &Board of DirectorsCovid-19 May HaveSlowed Us DownBut it hasn’t stopped usBe assured that we take the health and wellbeing of our community, siblings, and staffvery seriously. Like you, we're closelymonitoring the effects of the COVID-19pandemic on the people we care about most;our families and yours.STAFFAngela NeSmith, BookkeeperKa"e Peterson, Program AssistantBri!any Schneider, Youth CoordinatorStephenie Mlodzik, Fund DevelopmentTessa Lewis, Database ManagerHarriet Redman, Execu"ve DirectorWe have been redesigning programs andlearning new ways of conduc"ng business.The remains office closed as we’re allworking from our homes. We appreciateyour pa"ence. Our temporary office phone is920-450-2609.BOARD OF DIRECTORSCindy Piotrowski, ChairADRC of Portage CountyDaniel Dibble, Vice ChairCanvas CloudKarie Mindock, SecretaryFox Valley Lutheran High SchoolAndrew Burg, TreasurerReinl Accoun"ngChris HowardThriventWe will con"nue to monitor the COVID-19situa"on and will follow guidance from publichealth officials and government agencies, sowe can con"nue to support you and ourcommuni"es as needed.John MankeAmcorWe are currently seeking candidates for our Board of Directors, especially incommuni"es beyond the Fox Valley. Send us an email if you’d like more informa"onor an applica"on. info@wisconsibs.orgLet us know if there is something you need.We want to help.WisconSibs staff and Board of Directors.VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2 5For some,self-direction isa new idea.At TMG, Wisconsin’stop-rated IRISConsultant Agency,*it’s all we do.Building Inclusive CommunitiesJoin Us: myteamtriumph-wi.orgtmgwisconsin.com(844) 864-8987Local. Experienced. Resourceful.*Wisconsin Department of Health Services Options Scorecard data for IRIS Consultant Agencies, July 2019Anchor Health Insurance, LLCHelping you navigate the health insurance systemSMMedicare Masters, LLCHelping you master your Medicare choicesSMHARRY DORMAN, FIC, LUTCF, CLTC1500 N Casaloma Drive, Suite 411Appleton WI 54913(920) ters.comVeteran Owned businessesNot affiliated with Medicare or any government agencyFor ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 www.4lpi.comWisconSibs Inc., Appleton, WIB 4C 01-1475