‘Glass Child’ - Where did the term originate?

While not recognized as an official term in medical or scientific

spheres, the concept of "glass children" has earned

significance and resonates deeply with individuals who grow

up alongside a sibling grappling with disabilities or chronic

illnesses. This term gained popularity after speaker Alicia

Maples shared it during her TEDx Talk in 2010. Maples defined

glass children as "healthy kids who have a special needs

brother or sister." She emphasized that these special needs

encompass a broad spectrum, spanning physical and mental

ailments, behavioral issues, and even addiction.

Maples ingeniously employed the metaphor of glass to

effectively convey the experience of these siblings, highlighting

a sense of being overlooked or invisible. The "glass" in this

context doesn't symbolize fragility, but rather represents the

feeling that parents and caregivers "look right through [these

children], as if they're made of glass." This poignant imagery

captures the intricate emotional journey these siblings

traverse, navigating a complex world while their parents are

often preoccupied with meeting the pressing needs of their

disabled or chronically ill sibling.