The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation, a non-profit organization granting wishes to siblings of severely disabled children with life threatening conditions. The focus of a family with a child having serious medical conditions is often out of necessity, on the disabled child. As a result, the balance and familial interaction can be delicate. Many of these children have complex feelings of extreme love and guilt. Understandably they desire the full attention of their parents, but they appreciate the extraordinary needs of their handicapped brother or sister. The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation is a wish organization that focuses on the sibling. The foundation enriches the lives of siblings by granting their wishes and special requests.

The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation was founded in 2002 by Joe, Storme’ and Ariel Sweet in memory of their son and brother, Aliah Sweet. Aliah was an infectiously happy child with severe, multiple life threatening disabilities. As a result of his being born with a rare syndrome, Aliah was wheelchair bound and he required a respirator. Aliah passed away at age nine in 2001. His sister, Ariel, two years older, survives Aliah. They were best friends with a powerful bond. The pure and innocent joy of their relationship was punctuated by Ariel’s constant concern for her brother’s well being. Ariel always put Aliah’s needs first.

The relationship between the two is representative of countless siblings with similar circumstances. Over the past nine years, the Sweets had the unique opportunity to interact with numerous siblings in intensive care waiting rooms, in crowded clinics, during the holiday seasons and too often at memorial services. The Sweets noted that siblings frequently miss out on normal family and school activities. There are many organizations that support children with disabilities however, very few specifically address sibling needs.

The primary goal is simply to listen to a child and show them that they are special. Everyone has some childhood memory of a great day or a special present. The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation wants to provide that memory for the sibling and ultimately make a difference in their lives. Most parents are aware that siblings need to feel special, but often do not have the financial or emotional resources to change the situation for their children. Granting a sibling wish has a profound impact on the entire family.

One of the secondary goals is to create sensitivity to the complexity of sibling issues much like the Kennedy family has created for persons with special needs, through the Special Olympics.

Referrals generally come from hospitals, caregivers and cooperating service agencies. The NFL Retired Players Foundation and the NBAPA West support The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation.