Take a Break: The Bus Stop Club
A Place for Kids Who Feel 'Left Out of the Family'
It's a weeknight at the Guilderland YMCA and whether it's swimming in the pool or slap-shots in the gym, kids have the run of the place. But for a special group of children there, it's about more than just fun and games.
Each of them has a sibling, suffering from a chronic illness, that receives the lion's share of mom and dad's attention at home.
And that makes some of them feel like they are "left out of the family".
Once a month at the Y, these kids attend the Bus Stop Club where they quickly realize they're not the only ones who sometimes feel left out.
Founder and organizer, Dr. Brian Sheridan, says, "Studies show brothers and sisters are more likely to suffer from feelings of anger, jealousy, frustration, and are more likely to do poorly in school."
Sheridan was a resident at Albany Med and had to come up with an advocacy project. Since then, he and a team of social workers have focused on kids, like Maria Mawson, who have siblings, like her brother Nicholas.
Most of the time, their relationship is like that of any other brother and sister, but mom and dad, Tina and Kevin, say there are certain events they can't attend, since Nicholas suffers from down syndrome, or extra attention he receives because of it. For example, when they see a River Rats hockey game, the players come bearing gifts.
For Nicholas.
"The players will give my son something," Tina says, "and my daughter Maria is like, 'but I wanted that'."
"That's why I also like Bus Stop Club," she adds. "Because it is for her."
According to Sheridan, it's a place where kids get to be kids. And as a result, kids help kids.
"It's a great success when one child can help another child solve a problem."
For more information on the Bust Stop Club, visit their website:
