I love to see him laugh
My name is Breeanna, I am 17 and live in Western Australia. One unique thing about me is I care for others before I care for myself.
I have been caring for my brother for 7 years. He needs care because he has autism and global development delay.
I have to care for my brother because I live with him every day and it’s a way of supporting my mum when she is working.
My responsibilities include providing for his needs, assisting in situations and cooking. However, I also deal with his mental breakdowns which involves me making sure his safety is a priority.
Just like me I’d imagine other young carers would also have to deal with people staring at them in shops because a child is in a breakdown.
A good day caring for my brother looks like laughing, smiling and calm. A bad day caring for my brother looks like emotional, loud and disruptive.
Being away from my brother makes me feel anxious.
Being a carer has changed my life because its shown me what I really am made for. Being a carer has taught me, this is what I love. Because of my caring role I am unable to make people understand the troubles I go through in life.
I would cope better with my caring role if I had more time in a day.
I would like others to realise that you’re not alone. My piece of advice to my fellow young carers is let them stare.