National Siblings Day

National Siblings Day is about more than childhood memories — it’s about the people who show up, advocate, and push us to be our best. At CPARF, we are fortunate to be supported by families who turn their personal bonds into powerful change. 

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a dynamic duo who embody this spirit: Trent and Kalli. Trent describes his sister as a “goofball” who always helps him see the bright side of life, while Kalli is grateful for a brother whose influence has profoundly shaped who she is today. 

If you’ve been part of our community recently, you may recognize these two. They are fixtures of our annual STEPtember event, and just last month, they took Trent’s birthday celebration to the next level by hosting a fundraiser to support CPARF’s work. 

To describe their relationship in just three words, they chose fun, adventurous, and exciting. Whether they are dancing in their living room, racing their mom along the shores of Lake Erie, or traveling (they have already visited 48 states together), they are constantly on the move. So he can always be part of the action, he uses assistive technology that allows him to join the family in the pool. This specialized tool gives him the freedom to swim, spin, and race alongside everyone else. 

For Kalli, being a sister means being a fierce advocate. She earned a degree in neuroscience and started “Trent’s Triumph” to educate the world about what it is like for her brother to have cerebral palsy. 

Together, they show us that while physical and societal barriers persist, they don’t define who you are. Instead, those barriers serve as a powerful reminder of why we must continue to work toward a more accessible world. 

In Their Own Words: A Q&A with Trent & Kalli 

What’s one thing you each want the world to know about your sibling?  

TRENT: I want people to know how caring my sister is. She is always going out of her way for me and helping me with whatever I need, no questions asked. She is truly a blessing!  

KALLI: I want the world to know how smart Trent is, and that he has dreams for his life just like everyone else. Trent is truly one of the smartest people that I know. He graduated high school with honors and loves to learn new things. He has the dream to become a model for Target stores! He has even been featured in a magazine. He is amazing, and I want to share that with the world!  

How do you operate as a team when you encounter physical or societal barriers in the world?  

We experience physical and societal barriers every day. There are buildings that aren’t accessible, and some people don’t see Trent as the person that he is. While these are challenges, they don’t define us. We face them head-on, and oftentimes we will use these barriers as teaching moments for those who are around us. We use our family’s story as a tool to inspire change in the world that we live in today! 

How are you choosing to celebrate each other on National Siblings Day?  

We are going to celebrate our beautiful life as siblings together, by dancing, and sharing a sweet treat. We are going to share what we love most about each other and give thanks for the wonderful lives God has given us together. Neither one of us would be where we are today if we didn’t have each other. We are so blessed by one another!  

—————————————————————————————————————– 

Join the Conversation! 

Sibling relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and we want to hear about yours. Whether you are an advocate, a teammate, or a lifelong friend, share your story with the CPARF community. Share your story and a photo or two today!