Caring isn’t a big part of Carla’s life; it IS her life.
The 18-year-old, from Devonport, looks after her mother Dot, who has had a stroke, her eight-year-old brother Brogan, who has global development delay, and is studying childcare at Torpoint Community College.
It means doing the housework, shopping and cooking in the home and looking after her brother, even feeding him.
“Brogan needs help with nearly everything,” she explained. “He needs 24-hour care.
“It can be difficult but I take it on my shoulders; there are people far worse off than me.
“Because of his condition, something could happen to him any day, but if anything did I’d be lost without him.
“I was surprised to be named one of the Young Carers of the Year, as all the other children do so much as well.”
Mother Dot, who uses a wheelchair or walking aids, said: “I had a stroke nine months ago.
“Carla was looking after her brother on her own when I was in hospital”, she said. “I couldn’t cope without her.”
Handing Carla her award, Natalie Cornah said: “She does a fantastic job; she should get some recognition.”
(c) 2008 Plymouth Evening Herald, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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