Wayne aka Speedy’s Story
"Hi, my name is Wayne aka Wayno, i am 14 and i live with my mum sister and brother my dad passed away when i was 11. i actually have 2 sisters but one of them is in residential. i find my life really hard as i am now the man of the house even though i am the youngest. My GCSE year 10 is really hard cause i keep thinking of my brother and my 2 sister’s safety and that they are okay and the fact that my dad passed away i find my life really tough on me now"

Lots of young people help their parents to look after younger brothers or sisters by helping out at mealtimes or bath times or by playing with them. But if your brother or sister has a serious illness or a disability, you might find that you have to:

• Stay in the house to keep an eye on them a lot because they damage things or might hurt themselves if they are left on their own.
• Help give your brother or sister medicines or help feed them, wash them or lift them in or out of a wheelchair.
• Look after yourself a lot because your disabled brother or sister needs a lot of attention from your parents.
• Look after your parents when they are stressed out by looking after your brother/ sister.

Sometimes it can feel good to help a brother or sister that you love, but sometimes it can feel too much too cope with. You might feel angry with your brother/sister or with your parents. Your brother or sister might damage your things or argue a lot. You might be given a hard time from people at school because they see your brother or sister as “different” or “weird” and that can hurt a lot.