Sibling relationships are some of the most important in our lives-doubly so when autism or IDD are involved.  In this episode, Victor and Daniel chat with Victoria Cusumano and Nicole Bobbette on what it is like growing up with a differently abled sibling and how it can be different from typical sibling relationships. Victoria and Nicole reveal what their siblings have taught them, and how they have enriched their lives. We also hear their answer to this week’s ice breaker “If you could, what age would you stop aging at and why?”.

Victoria is a fourth year psychology student at the University of Toronto. She has worked at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at CAMH in various roles over the past two years, supporting self-advocates involved in research. Victoria has also been a basketball coach with Special Olympics Ontario for five years. Most importantly, Victoria is a sister to Vanessa, who has Down syndrome. Victoria and Vanessa live together along with their brother and parents at their family home in Toronto, Ontario.

Nicole Bobbette is an occupational therapist who has been working with people with IDD for the past 13 years. Nicole just completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and is now an assistant professor at Queen's University where she teaches in the occupational therapy program. Nicole is passionate about collaborating with people with IDD in research to promote health and improve health services. Nicole’s primary and most important role is being an older sister to Allison, who has an IDD and lives semi-independently in Barrie, Ontario.

Tune in next time when we speak with Helen Reise from the Sibling Collaborative. 

You can follow Nicole on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nicole_bobbette).

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