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Becky

Becky is 17 and cares for her sister who has cerebral palsy, and her mum who has multiple sclerosis. Here, she tells us what life is like as a young carer.
Entry: 4
Date: 07/11/2006

Becky's folks have been having a right good knees-up over the last couple of months.

It's been a while since I last wrote - I guess it took me a while to get over the worst holiday ever that we had in June!

Since then, my Mam and I have been to Amsterdam, which was my prize for being a Champion Carer finalist back in March this year. We had a great time - we went to Madame Tussauds and had loads of fun meeting the wax celebs. And the really good news was that my Mam's wheelchair managed to stay in one piece throughout the whole trip (unlike during the last holiday we had).

We've also celebrated my sister Nicola's 21st birthday. Sadly, some of her friends she knew at school who also had cerebral palsy never even lived to see their 18th birthdays, so each year we make sure Nicola's birthday is the best she's ever had. This year, I decorated the house inside and out with balloons, banners and pictures of her from childhood. She got loads of nice presents, too. I phoned the local radio station to get the presenters to say happy birthday, and they dedicated the late night show to her. I went on air myself to say thank you to them as Nicola was really pleased.

"Some of Nicola's friends never even lived to see their 18th birthdays, so each year we make sure her birthday is the best she's ever had."

Having a Münster time

However, the best present she got was a surprise holiday to Münster in Germany. This is where some of our family lives, so we visited them while we were there and met the newest addition: my cousin's baby, Phoebe-Ann, who was only three days-old at the time. My cousin also has two lovely boys: Haydn, seven, and Aaron, five. We took the boys out when we were there to a local theme park and zoo - we all had a great time. I'm looking forward to when my cousin comes over to the UK soon to have a church blessing for Phoebe - this means we will see them all again and my Mam and Dad will become godparents (which

my Mam keeps on telling everyone about).   

Success!

When we got back from Germany, I found out that I passed my childcare course. I'm really pleased about this because I can now go and find a job working with children, which is what I've always wanted to do. I've filled in loads of application forms and have some interviews coming up this month, so my fingers are crossed!

I've also started a job in Debenhams in the childrenswear department. I'm only working there to give me some money over the Christmas and New Year period, but hey - it's a job! My life as a young carer will be different while I'm working, but I know that my Dad will be there to look after Mam and Nicola's needs.


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