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Caring in the top end

My name is Benny and I am 15 years old. I live in Gove which is in the Northern Territory about 600kms east of Darwin. I care for my 17 year old brother who has severe Autism and cannot talk.

Caring for my brother means that I have to help my mum in assisting my brother with everyday life, such as: bathing him, getting ready for school, helping him when he needs me etc.. Dad also helps a lot but he has to work quite a bit so we can have a good living and provide my brother with good future.

Being a young carer can be difficult on you sometimes because it means that you have to give up quite an amount of your time for your role as a carer. This can mean missing out on things like social events and even just hanging out with your friends. One of the things that really annoys me is when people don't release and appreciate the work you are doing and just take things for granted.

Now talking about carers week. Carers week is designed to create awareness in the community that you are living in so people will understand your situation and might offer services to help with caring for a loved one. Unfortunately where I live carers week is not one of the most talked about events in our community but hopefully we will be able to change this as soon as possible.

Thanks for your time!

21 Oct 2009 05:30 PM |
Posted by: Atari - Inspire Crew in Mental health + wellbeing

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Tags:: carers week; young carers

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4 Comments

anna

over 2 years ago

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Benny thanks so much for sharing your story - you are an inspiration! :)

Bells - I saw the Black Balloon - brilliant movie, incredibly moving. I understand the Director based the film on her own family situation.

Bella.

over 2 years ago

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Benny,

Awareness = created.

Well, at least some awareness. As in, the awareness that your article alone will create ;)

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I totally understand why sometimes (or maybe A LOT) of the time it would be frustrating.

I'd imagine that this would be a difficult part of being a young carer. It must be annoying that you miss out on some of the things that your friends are involved in.

For what it's worth, and I've got to say that it's probably not worth much - I am sorry that you have to deal with those obstacles.

With any luck though Benny, you will emerge as a very understanding, well informed adult. Actually, to be honest, you already present as a very understanding, well informed adult... but you're 15. Just imagine what you'll be like at 18! Dear Jesus, I'll elect you for prime minister any day!

Take care Ben, and thank you sooooo much for sharing your story.

Bells x

Ps: Have you seen the movie 'Black Balloon'? It's about a teenage boy who is a young carer for his brother with severe autism. It's truly terrific. And just so honest... it doesn't sugar coat any thing. The young carer in it really struggles being in the position he is in, and even though there were moments of intense frustration for him, and moments when he 'snapped' and lost his cool, he was still an amazing brother.

I think the thing that I got from it is that, as a carer, you have every right to be annoyed, frustrated or upset about your situation. Because no matter how much you love the person you're caring for, it still sucks. And it's okay to let it suck, and to be pissed off, or angry, and annoyed. But I guess the core of all of that is that care, compassion and love override all of those unpleasant feelings (well, at least ultimately in the long run!). And while I can't imagine the stress, perhaps there are, at times, little glimpses of something terrific? Those are the things to hold on to, because they make it all worthwhile.

Pps: I have a younger brother on the autistic spectrum. He is not severely autistic though, so my caring responsibilities extend only to helping to address his communication and various other difficulties. Because his ASD isn't severe, the impact it has had on me personally hasn't been huge, but the stressful times definitely arise so I can, even if on the smallest scale, relate.

Ppps: Okay, I'm going to quit with the post scripts now and go to bed. Night!

Becks

over 2 years ago

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Benny, thank you so much for coming onto RO and sharing your story. You do such an amazing job in what you do for your brother and family. Be proud of yourself for what you do. Thanks again.

Becks

Chey

over 2 years ago

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@Benny so Young and yet doing a fab Job,its good to hear from a male about it all,I think sometimes you hear more about young female careers than you hear about males which is sad cause they are out there, what you are doing is a loving thing n I hope one day people will realise it,Know that your amazing and that the love you have for you brother is special,well done on helping out though it takes a good hearted person to do what your doing :).

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