Destanie's Law, A Fight For Sibling Visitation (A Sister's Fight)
- by: Jennifer & Jonus Kremer
- recipient: The State Of Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin, State Legislators, State Representatives, The House, The Senate, Oklahoma Attorney General, Washington
This is my stepdaughter's heartbreaking personal story. Please help us in this important cause.
Family dynamics have changed drastically over time. Because of high divorce rates and blended families no longer are half-siblings or step-siblings, for that matter, an unusual circumstance. Each case is unique. My husband has had full custody of my stepdaughter since she was 5. In January of 2011, my stepdaughter's mother died due to an overdose on prescription medication. She left behind two half-siblings, a 6 year old and a 13 year old, at the time of her death. The father of the 7 year old (the mother's husband and 7 year old girls father) also died shortly after in May of 2011. My stepdaughter's living situation did not change, but her sister went to live with an aunt on the mother's side of the family and her situation changed drastically. The aunt does now have legal guardianship of the 7 year old. My stepdaughter is no longer allowed to see her sister. Negotiations for visits with the aunt have been very difficult to say the least. These children have not shared one day together, one mealtime, bath time or one bedtime, or any "normal" experiences sisters should since their mother was taken from them. At one point, there was no communication between the sisters. The only communication my stepdaughter has now with her sister is through the telephone.
That is when I started this petition. I felt I had no choice but to speak out. We have begged and pleaded for them to have time together and nothing has worked. Before their mother died, they spent so much time together and their bond is strong. These children have suffered the greatest loss a child could in losing their mother at such a young age. Not they are suffering the next greatest loss a child could in losing one another. Their story needs to be heard and others alike. They are innocent victims. They do not understand why they are being kept apart. Their psychological well-being should be placed above all else. This is their God-given birthright. Oklahoma has no Sibling rights to visitation. There was a statute for this, and was repealed in 2006.
So many children are suffering due to there being no help, no law to cover this issue. I have to look at my stepdaughter everyday with her heart broken. All she wants to do is see her sister. Spend much needed time healing with her and most important; just loving one another like siblings have the right to do. Help these girls and others in similar circumstances. Ask our legislators to put statutes in place supporting Sibling Rights to Visitation in order for cases such as theirs to be heard in a court of law. In hopes that SET visitation can be established and their growing up together as sisters is ASSURED..
Next to the parent-child relationship, sibling bonds are the closest a child can know. All too often, these bonds are severed after a divorce or the death of a parent. Siblings possess a fundamental constitutional right to maintain relationships with one another, and the right of siblings to associate with one another is equal to the right of parents to rear their children.
What right could be more basic, more precious than that of sharing life experiences with one's own brother or sister? Surely, nothing can equal or replace the emotional and biological bonds, which exist between siblings, or the memories or trials and tribulations endured together, and the sharing of secrets, fears, and dreams. To be able to establish and nurture such a relationship is, without question, a natural, inalienable right, which is bestowed upon one merely by virtue of birth into the same family. Too many children are suffering the loss of family dear to them as a result of choices others make and a lack of legislation to protect THEIR rights.
These children should be able to continue their relationships. It's time that Oklahoma and other States as well, give a voice to siblings who have been separated - children of broken homes, blended families, children who have lost a parent, children in foster care - children separated through no fault of their own. Their bonds are REAL and do not end because of the decisions of the adults in the situation. Sibling bonds are the closest one can know besides that of their Mother and Father.
In this day, half-siblings and step-siblings are no longer a rarity. Please let the voices of these children be heard! We are only asking for the opportunity to present cases in a court of law for set visitation. Before we can do that, we need a statute set by a legislator. We want the psychological well-being of these children put first. Please put statutes in place supporting Sibling Rights to Visitation in hopes that SET visitation can be ASSURED.
My stepdaughter and her sister have been separated through no fault of their own. Their mother has passed and my stepdaughter's sister's father passed. The sister now lives with and aunt that will not allow my stepdaughter to have a natural sister/sibling relationship with her sister. We have begged and pleased for them to have time together. They have not shared any "normal" experiences since their mother was taken from them. They have not shared one day together, one mealtime, one bath time, or one bedtime. Their psychological well-being should be placed above all else. Please help them and other children in similar circumstances.
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