Montrealer shares what it’s like having a sibling who is neurodiverse

Having a neurodiverse sibling can foster empathy, kindness and understanding. However, it can also lead to unseen struggles.

Siblings of neurodiverse children hold a unique role that comes with its own challenges, but also immense strengths. Their ability to navigate complex emotions, develop deep empathy and advocate for themselves and others is something truly worth honouring.

In the latest edition of the “Inspirations” newspaper, we’re introduced to Montreal siblings Niko and Nikitas and their mom Joanne Charron. Niko, who will turn 29 later this month, has cerebral palsy, is quadriplegic and non-verbal.

Charron describes her three children — including her son Alexi — as “wonderful people.”

“I’m so proud of all of them and this really has made them see life in a different light. And they’re compassionate and they’re empathetic and they’re just good kids,” Charron said.

Nikitas speaks about his older brother Niko with warmth and a smile on his face.

“Niko and I have always gone to places together, even with our other brother as well,” he said. “So wherever he goes, we go. So it’s become sort of a habit for me at least to not walk into places or go into places that aren’t accessible. It becomes sort of a passing thought in that, oh, this place doesn’t have the accessibility or the infrastructure for people like my brother and it kind of just passes me and I don’t go in. I’ve learned that way to see through my brother a little bit more.”

“To watch them be born into it and grow together, there’s no words to explain how they interacted one another, the feelings they had toward one another,” Charron added. “Them realizing Niko couldn’t come in the room to play because he couldn’t walk in the room to go play with them. So one of my sons would take one of Niko’s foot and the other one would take the other foot and they would just drag him into the room. And he’s laughing all the way, he’s bumping his head on the floor and they put pillows just so he could be in the room with them and they’d all play together. I mean, they were always inseparable.”

“We were able to do everything together from the beginning,” said Nikitas. “When I was in preschool, I was at Mackay Centre in a reverse integration program with him. Through elementary school, we had a little bit of distance, but in high school, we were able to do it all together because he was in a satellite class at Westmount High. My favourite experience is just being able to grow up alongside him, go everywhere with him. He always felt one with me.”

“Their bond will always remain eternal. That I can guarantee you,” said Charron.

“I love Niko with all my heart and it’s sometimes hard to speak about having siblings who have disabilities because you don’t really know where to position yourself because I’m someone who’s here to help him,” said Nikitas. “So I feel like my emotions are valid and all of that, but I’m more so here for him. If Niko just gets a carte blanche with anything with me, he can say whatever he wants. I love him so much.”

For more information on this story, and others like Niko and Nikitas’, check out www.inspirationsnews.com.