Getting Started…

 Ever since I was little, my mom has been sick. That’s just always been part of my life. While other kids talked about vacations or soccer games, I was used to doctor visits, hospital smells, and helping out at home. It’s not something most people really understand unless they’ve lived it.

I’m the youngest of three sisters, and now I’m a freshman in high school. My sisters and I basically grew up learning how to take care of things, and how to take care of each other. We’ve always been close, and honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. Whenever I felt scared or sad, they were right there — sometimes with advice, sometimes with a hug, and sometimes just a dumb joke that made me laugh even when I didn’t want to.  But one day, we realized something kind of sad. Not every kid with a sick parent has that kind of support. Some kids feel totally alone. They don’t have anyone who gets what they’re going through. And honestly, no one really talks about what it’s like to be the kid in that situation — the one trying to hold it together while everything around you feels shaky. That’s why we started Stripes of a Zebra.

We wanted to build a space for kids like us — the ones doing their best but sometimes feeling invisible. A space that says, hey, we see you. You matter. The name “Stripes of a Zebra” means everyone has their own unique story. Every zebra’s stripes are different, just like everyone’s life is different. But when zebras stand together, their stripes blend — they protect each other. That’s kind of how we see this blog: a bunch of different people with different stories, standing together so no one has to feel alone. This is just the beginning. We want to share real stories, raise awareness, and remind every kid with a chronically ill parent that you’re not forgotten. You’re strong — even on the days you don’t feel like it. Because even when life gives you different stripes, you still belong with the herd. 🦓💛