Being a Young Carer.

My story

So I've given the facts, now its time for my story.

When i was 8, my mum had a stroke. This meant she had problems walking. Her talking was alright, but her words were slurred. Sadly, she didn't recover from this properly. During her physiotherapy, she had a few bad falls. Her biggest one was at the top of the stairs. She managed to get up the stairs, but not back down. She was stuck for about an hour until her physiotherapists managed to get her to go down on her butt. since then, she refused physiotherapy and gained a phobia of falling. she stayed in bed and didn't get back out. The muscles in her legs became weaker and she was soon bed bound. She had a commode. I had to help her transfer to the commode, wash her and get her drinks. She would also fall out of the bed often and in the middle of the night, meaning there was a lot of shouting and ambulance calling. I often had to miss school the next day because it woke me up and then i was super scared and tired.

Then, when i was 12, my dad was diagnosed with emphysema, a lung disease. It has made him not able to walk for long distances without choking. He has also had to quit his job as he can't be around dust. This means i have to clean the house for him and go shopping for him.

In 2015, my mum was taken into hospital with a chest infection. It developed into pneumonia. She nearly died. She was in a coma for two months. she had to have a trachea fitted which meant she wasn't able to talk properly. She had this for about a month and it was stressful for everybody when we tried to make a conversation. 

Eventually, she was better and released. However, since we live in a basement flat, she wasn't able to come home and has to lie in a care home where i can see her every day.

Dad is in and out of hospital the whole time. This makes me panic and i'm often not able to concentrate in school.

I'm a very shy person and i never really talk to people about my problems unless i REALLY trust them. However, talking to people does help.

Disclaimer: i did NOT write this for sympathy. I wrote this so that people know not to be ashamed of being a young carer and that it does make you or your family bad people. Be proud of yourself.