Sibshops are workshops for siblings of children with special needs. Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations filled with unique games, cooking activities and recreation mixed with information and discussion. Children ages 5 - 12 yrs can enjoy a lively, relaxed event that emphasizes a kid's-eye view of sibling issues. Sibshops are guided by adult facilitators in small, age-appropriate groups.
What do kids say about Sibshops?
"Sibshops are cool. We have lots of fun." --Age 8
"You get to ask questions about stuff and get answers. No one gets mad or laughs at you for asking."--Age 10
"I got to meet other kids like me. It was great."--Age ?
What do parents say about Sibshops?
"For once, I don't feel guilty about my kids feeling left out."
"I like that he's making friends with others who understand what it's like having a family member with autism."
"Sibshops gives my daughter experience explaining about her brother-she gets help finding words from other kids to help people understand. That's something I'm not always able to do."
Click here to download Sibling Activity Booklet
2012 Sibshop Sessions
Sibshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
(Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, etc)
Saturday March 10th, 2012
Saturday July 28th, 2012
Saturday November 10th, 2012
Please call (715) 221-7419 or (715) 221-8824 to register.
For more program information call:
Hayley Patoka, BS, CCLS, CTRS
Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital/Marshfield Clinic Children's
(715)221-7419
Kari Bluhm, MS, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital/Marshfield Clinic Children's
(715)221-8824
Sibshops for Siblings of Children with Special Medical Needs
(Cystic Fibrosis, Epilepsy, Cancer, Spina Bifida, Diabetes, Crohn's Disease, etc)
Saturday May 12th, 2012
Saturday September 22nd, 2012
Saturday January 19th, 2013
Please call (715) 387-7328 or (715) 389-4308 to register.
For more program information call:
Danielle Brusky, BS, CCLS, CTRS
Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital
(715)387-7328
Heather Berndt, BS, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital
(715)389-4308
Kids Wish Network
Hero of the Month sponsored by Kids Wish Network
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Kids Wish Network assists children and their families through programs like the Hero of the Month Club.
The Hero of the Month program was designed to help little heroes who have had to face some of life's unfortunate experiences. These children do not have life threatening illness but rather have had to endure some extremely sad or extraordinary circumstance.
January 2012 Nominee: Paige
Paige was admitted to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital on November 5th, 2011 after a week long bout with abdominal pain. A CT scan showed an enlarged appendix that caused an infection throughout the abdomen. Paige had to have an NG tube and IV placed prior to surgery. Following the surgery, Paige was admitted for observation, only to have the fevers continue. A follow up CT scan of her abdomen revealed several abscesses. Unfortunately, Paige required surgery once again to clean out the infection. Following her second surgery, Paige had a large incision, a PICC line, and several drains placed to help heal the infection. On November 20th, Paige celebrated her 5th birthday in the hospital and Child Life and other staff members did their best to make it special. While hospitalized, she enjoyed coloring, watching movies and always had the biggest smile to share with everyone. Paige received the best gift ever on November 24th when she was discharged home from the hospital. Paige’s strength, spunk and great personality make her the perfect January 2012 Hero of the Month!
February 2012 Nominee: Zachariah
Zachariah is an 11 year old from Wittenberg, WI. He was involved a high speed, head on car collision in January. Upon arriving to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, it was discovered that Zachariah had a large laceration and degloving injury to his scalp. Many shards of glass were imbedded in his skull and a large amount of blood was lost at the scene of the accident. Zachariah underwent surgery to remove the glass fragments and repair the injuries to his scalp along with a laceration repair to his upper lip. During Zachariah’s hospitalization, he had to overcome pain issues following the accident as well as finding the strength to be mobile once again. Not only did he have to overcome his physical injuries, but Zachariah also has to heal from his emotional injuries as well. He was blessed with a strong support system that helped him throughout his hospitalization and the recovery after. We would like to nominate Zachariah for February 2012 Hero of the Month!
March 2012 Nominee: Calin
Calin is a 9 year old boy was involved in a serious car accident this past winter with his brother, sister, and father. At the scene of the accident, Calin was in critical condition and needed to be intubated right then and there. He brought to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital where doctors examined him and discovered he had suffered a skull and left femur fracture. Calin underwent surgery to help relieve some of the swelling that was occurring in his brain due to the injury and had a pressure monitor placed so doctors could observe his pressures. He also had surgery to help stabilize his femur fracture. Following surgery, Calin needed to wear a helmet to protect his healing skull and participated in many sessions of extensive therapy to make him stronger. Toward the end of his lengthy stay, the staff at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital were able to see his personality shine through. He enjoyed playing video and board games, watching movies, and even participated in daily group activities. Calin’s family remained by his side and had encouraged him throughout his stay. We would like to acknowledge Calin (and his family) for everything they had to endure and overcome since the accident, making him the perfect choice for March 2012 Hero of the Month!
April 2012 Nominee: Josh
Josh is a 6 year old little boy from Elk Mound, WI. In the beginning of the 2012, Josh started experiencing severe joint pain which made it almost impossible to move. He under went several trips to the emergency room, many x-rays and lab draws in an attempt to find some answers to this debilitating pain. On January 11th, 2012 Josh was admitted to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for further evaluation of the pain, fevers, and a rash. After many more diagnostic tests including ultrasounds, CTs, MRIs, and surgeries, Josh was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlien Purpa or HSP. While HSP is treatable, Josh experienced many of the possible complications, including kidney problems. These complications lead to Josh having a dialysis line place to complete apheresis for treatment of the kidney issues. He left the hospital on January 20th, 2012 with the plan to continue outpatient treatment three times a week. Unfortunately, Josh was readmitted on January 25th, 2012 due to increased abdominal pain and fevers. He continued his treatments while he was admitted, but on January 30th, 2012 Josh had an unexpected seizure and was immediately transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). After two days in the PICU, Josh was doing better and came back to the pediatric unit for several days before being discharged February 4th, 2012. His story does not end there though as Josh will have many follow up appointments over the next year to monitor his progress. Josh was very quiet in the hospital but enjoyed his time in the playroom with his mom, dad and younger brother. It is our honor to select Josh for April 2012 Hero of the Month!
May 2012 Nominee: Gabe
Gabe is a 13 year old boy who lives with his family in Port Edwards, WI. Gabe was born with many complications including hydrocephaly (water on the brain) and flat feet. He has undergone three surgeries to treat his flat feet, with each surgery requiring a two month recovery and wheelchair for mobility. In October 2011, Gabe was diagnosed with Chari malformation of the brain and scoliosis. Both of these conditions also required several surgeries. Following Gabe’s spinal fusion to correct his scoliosis, he was required to wear a brace and complete many hours of grueling therapy. Most recently, Gabe underwent a revision of his first spinal fusion. Gabe and his family have a strong faith base that has helped them through all their trials, including Gabe’s extensive medical history and the loss of his father in 2006. Even despite his current limitations due to his surgery, Gabe has always maintained a positive outlook. He has future plans and goals, one of which is playing dodge ball again in 2013. Without hesitation, we would like to nominate Gabe for May 2012 Hero of the Month!
June 2012 Nominee: Stevie
Stevie is a very playful and spunky three year old from Wautoma, Wisconsin who was admitted to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital on June 21, 2012 after being attacked by her family dog. After being transferred by helicopter from another hospital, Stevie required numerous medical interventions including admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), surgery to repair broken ribs, intubation, blood transfusions, IVs, sutures, and the placement of a wound vac. Stevie was later transitioned to the general Pediatric Unit where she received multiple dressing changes. What makes Stevie’s story so phenomenal and also makes her an amazing child for Hero of the Month, is that she would cry more when having to leave the playroom than when experiencing any of these difficult procedures. At three years old, Stevie’s amazing personality and attitude is why she is a hero to her family, friends, and hospital staff. Stevie was discharged on June 29th and still misses her "big puppy"L
July 2012 Nominee: Harley
Harley is 6 year old girl who lives with her family in Chippewa Falls, WI. She developed cerebral palsy as a result of her premature birth. Harley has had several health issues that including short bowel syndrome and severe spasticity that effect all of her limbs. Many of these health issues have led to multiple surgeries and hospital stays throughout the years. Due to her severe spasticity, Harley was set up for a trial test dose of Baclofen to help ease some of her spasticity. With major improvement from the trial, Harley came in a week later to have a baclofen pump surgically placed which would administer the correct amount of Baclofen as needed. The plan was for Harley to spend three to five days recovering in the hospital after surgery, but Harley had other plans. She spent only one night in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to Pediatric unit the very next day. Harley surpassed the "check list" of things she needed to do before going home and was so happy to be discharged later that day. Harley’s determination, amazing spirit and persistence is why she will make a great July 2012 Hero of the Month!
August 2012 Nominee: Kaci
Kaci is a spunky seven year old little girl from Marshfield, WI. Her story begins even before she was born. While in utero, it was discovered that Kaci’s bladder was growing on the outside of her body, called bladder exstrophy. She was delivered in a specialized hospital in another state and underwent her first surgery when she was just two days old. After a month in NICU, Kaci was able to come home to Marshfield, WI. Since then, she has needed several other surgeries to help correct this condition. Kaci’s most recent hospital stay began on August 18, 2012 when she was admitted for kidney infection, which is linked to her bladder exstrophy. During this hospital stay, Kaci needed several lab draws, IVs, a PICC line placement, and multiple other lines, tubes and surgeries. Despite all of these events, Kaci was always eager to go to group activities or just play in the playrooms. Her sense of humor can be seen in many things including the nickname she created with her doctor, who jokingly calls her ‘turkey butt.’ Kaci’s smile lights up the room and she is, without a doubt, a true August 2012 Hero of the Month!