Is it normal to feel responsible for sister's disability?

I have a twin sister, and we were in a car accident when we were 6 years old. It left me and my parents pretty much unhurt, while my sister is now paralyzed from the neck down, can't breathe on her own. I'm 17 now.
I know the accident wasn't my fault. But I remember asking her to switch placed before we got into the car. And I feel like I should live the life she can't have. She can sort of write via eye movement and so I know that she doesn't blame me, but she says that if she were me she would do this or that and ... I don't know. I feel a sort of responsibilty to do exactly that, even if my gut tells me otherwise.

My father left our family shortly after the accident and on our birthday he only sends a card for me, it seems like to him, my sister's dead. It hurts me and so ... I really don't know. I live every day with the feeling I should live twice as much as normal people because I'm the identical twin of a heavily disabled person.

Could be, depends on severity 3
No, you should get help 23
Sure, it's normal 19
Other (Add a comment) 4
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 11 )
  • CaptainHiTop

    First of all your father is not a man, he's a boy. Everything happens for a reason. It may not make since now but one day it'll be clear. And you need to stay strong for your sister.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Roussette

    That`s the saddest story I had ever heard. It`s normal that you feel that way, in that situation I`ll probably feel the same, but you should really get help because you can`t live your life with all those thoughs in mind.. It`s not your fault! Don`t blame yourself! Awww I wish you all the best, to you and your twin sister. Good luck, Take care :)♥

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • What happened to you in the car accident (switching seats and being unhurt) was purely coincidence/chance/luck. These things happen all the time and it could have happened in many other situations. It's NOT your fault, even if it may seem like it.

    I can understand that you may feel a certain obligation to carry out the actions your sister cannot, but you simply can't live your life like that. This is YOUR life, not hers, it doesn't make you selfish to do your own thing, and you can still be grateful that you were a lucky one.

    Comfort and love your sister, obviously. Do what you can to make her life more interesting, and listen to her wishes (whatever they may be), but don't feel you should be dictated as to what you can and can't do with your life.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • how sad and what a beast your father is. weak gutted thing. i feel for your sister , you and your family. please try to live your life without guilt, oh my very sad

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • first of all, I am so very sorry about everything that has happened with you and your twin sister. I can't even imagine everything you two must go through. You are not responsible for the accident or the paralyzation of your sister. you should take into consideration the things she says, but do what you want to do. you and your sister should both understand the situation and although its horrible the state you both are in, that you must continue to do what your gut feeling is. one person can't live two lives. what your father does is absolutely horrible, i'm extremely sorry for how he treats you both. just love her and appreciate her exactly the same as she was before. everything will be okay. best of wishes. x

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • It is normal but you also need help. You need support because you are giving all your support to your sister. You need to have some-one there for you too. I'm so sorry this has all happened though. x

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • sleepingbeauty

    It is normal to feel guilt over someone struggling with their life when you don't have to, especially if it is a close relative and someone you love.

    However, it's not your fault, never was and never would be. You may not have swapped seats and still been in the same situation, you just don't know. It is a waste of emotional energy to blame yourself for something you had no control over.

    It would be better spent strengthening the bond you have with your sister and making sure that you have a full and happy life, I'm sure she would want that for you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Saveme

    Im so sorry. This must eat you inside.
    I Wish you happiness, you have it rough
    Hope your sister is ok :(

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • xEmilyStrangex

    This is so sad, and I'm so sorry for what has happened to your sister. I can see why you feel like it's your fault, but it really isn't. I think it's nice that you kinda want to live for your sister, but you shouldn't do things you don't want to do or that you feel could be bad. You need to be happy aswell and I'm sure that your sister before anything else wants you to be happy. If you are really struggling perhaps you could speak to a doctor and arrange some kind of counselling, it's nice to be able to talk to someone :)

    I wish you happieness.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • aeiou

    Your story goes straight right into my heart that I've even prayed this is just a make up story because it's very sad. If this is true, be the strength of your family. The strength that your father wasn't able to be.

    Do not be guilty because you don't know that these terrible things would happen. Be with your sister if she needs you and never leave her alone.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Dodged a bullet there.

    Comment Hidden ( show )