"FAMILY CONNECTION TO BRING KID CONNECTION PROGRAM TO CHARLESTON"

Charleston...Family Connection of SC will offer "Kid Connection", a
workshop for tween-age siblings who have a brother or sister with a
disability or special need. 

The free workshop is the result of a grant from the Exchange Club of
Charleston, and is open to siblings ages 8-12 in the tri-county area.
The workshop will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. at the Daniel Island Medical Center Community Room, 900 Island
Park Drive, Daniel Island.

It is estimated that there are seven million children in the U.S. who
have a brother or sister with a disability.  Many of these children are
often uncertain about how their sibling's disability relates to their
own lives.  Many have conflicting emotions or feel isolated from their
peers, said Lorri Unumb, Chair of the Charleston Advisory Council.  "Kid
Connection is a place where siblings can openly share their concerns and
emotions about their sibling with a disability.  Emotions can range from
embarrassment to guilt to jealously about the attention their sibling
receives," said Unumb.                            

The daylong Saturday session will be comprised of a small group of
siblings between the ages of eight and twelve and conducted by trained
Family Connection facilitators.

Family Connection of SC is a statewide organization that provides
parent-to-parent support to families raising a child with a special
healthcare need or disability.  In addition to Kid Connection, Family
Connection offers an asthma management program, a program to teach
elementary school children about life with a disability, and
parent-to-parent mentoring programs.

According to the S.C. State Budget and Control Board, there are over
67,000 children in the tri-county area who have a disabling condition or
special need.

For more information about Kid Connection or to make a reservation for
your child to attend the workshop, please call 740-5500.

Janice Mullin
Development Director
Charleston Council
Family Connection of SC
6296 Rivers Avenue
Suite 300
North Charleston,  SC  29406
janicemullin@familyconnectionsc.org