Hi I’m Hope and I am 16 years old. I am a carer for both my mum and dad who have mobility issues. My mum uses crutches all the time and is sometimes in a wheelchair and my dad must use a stick and sometimes has to use a wheelchair if we are out of the house for too long. 

Due to their conditions they struggle to walk or stand up for long periods of time and cand pick things up so need assistance from me or use adjustments in the house. Because of their mobility I help to get medicines from the pharmacy and do a lot of the cooking and cleaning in the house. I also help them both get in and out of the car and chairs at home and also help push them in the wheelchair if we are out of the house. 

Helping my parents means I often missed out on activities and hobbies and if I did get to go to things I would often be late and miss some of it. Homework was also hard sometimes as I would be busy helping in the evenings or be too tired and fall asleep. 

Their conditions worsened when I was about 10 and was identified by a teacher in school when I was 11. It is hard sometimes as I miss out on seeing my friends and doing my hobbies. I am also late to a lot of things and I hate being late! Even though I am often late have still managed to become a competitive sequence dancer in ballroom and Latin and have done this for over 12 years and have won awards all over the country. 

My life is a bit different because I have to care for my parents but I am happy to help them and spending more time with my family and it has helped me learn things and skills which will help me with my future career.