12 Year Old Parents? | Young Carers | Through a Child's Eye's

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In the UK, the average age of child carers is 12 years old. At such a young age, the pressures and responsibilities of caring for another family member that is suffering from an illness or disability can have a big impact on that child’s social development, education and wellbeing. Often causing them to grow up a lot faster than usual.
This documentary follows the stories of three young carers. Told from the perspective of these incredibly mature and unique kids, we see how caring affects their own lives and goals, what caring entails, and how this unique role-reversal bond has brought them closer to their loved one.
In this video we meet:
Madison, 13, from Greater Manchester is a talented archer with ambitions to shoot for Team GB. But she has to juggle training with the pressures of caring for her Mum, Jade. Jade’s illness, Fibromyalgia, causes agonising joint pains and leaves her exhausted all the time. On top of all of this she receives treatment for severe mental health problems. Maddison is on a constant standby to respond to her Mum's many needs, manage her volatile temperament, and deal with all of the housework. But if she’s going to make it to the top in her chosen sport, there may come a time when she can’t be there for her Mum. A thought that, by itself, might be enough to distract from the focus driven sport of archery and knock her off her game…
Ellie, 12, lives in Lincolnshire and cares for her Mum, Suzanne, whose rare terminal condition, Multiple Systems Atrophy, is causing her body to shut down one bit at a time. Suzanne needs help with simple things like eating and dressing, and can no longer even walk. For the last four months she’s been trapped in her bedroom, where Ellie is usually found as well. Being there to support her mum is Ellie’s top priority. The family are trying to move to a bungalow to give her Mum more freedom - and if they do, she may be able to watch Ellie in her upcoming play. But it’s a big ‘if’ as her Mum’s condition continues to deteriorate. And possibly a bigger deal than Ellie will let on as her mums mortality is ever present.
Jacob, 11, from Kent looks after his Mum, Julia. Three years ago Julia had an abscess removed from her brain, an operation which left her virtually paralysed down one side. Jacob now does all of the day to day jobs that his Mum used to do, as well as helping her with simple things like climbing the stairs - an act that is now so challenging, his Mum is often reduced to tears. But as they prepare to move to a new home, adapted to Julia’s specific needs, hopes are high that life is taking a turn for the better.
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