Welcome to The Ripple Effect Project, where one conversation can create a ripple that reaches far beyond us. Each week, we sit down with people who are making a difference in their communities, their organizations, and the lives of others. Because sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to start something bigger.

This week, the conversation features Maria Tejada, President and Founder of Siblings Helping Siblings Foundation, Inc., a Long Island nonprofit dedicated to supporting siblings of individuals with disabilities while creating inclusive, sensory-friendly experiences where entire families can connect, play, learn, and thrive together.

What happens when we look beyond the individual with special needs and recognize that an entire family is navigating the journey together? How can we make sure siblings feel seen, supported, and understood while creating spaces where children of all abilities can simply be themselves?

Maria’s passion for this work comes from her own experience as a parent and seeing firsthand how siblings can sometimes struggle to understand where they fit within a family’s journey. Through Siblings Helping Siblings, Maria is creating opportunities for siblings to connect with others who share similar experiences through programs like Sibshops, while also bringing families together through welcoming, judgment-free experiences.

This conversation explores the importance of supporting the whole family, the unique experiences of siblings of children with disabilities, and what happens when we create communities where every child feels included and valued.

Because when one sibling feels seen, one family feels supported, and one community chooses to include everyone, the ripple can reach much farther than we ever imagined.