*pokes head round door* Young carer here (also with visual impairment of her own).

[XmasLollipopViolet]

Just thought I'd say hello. I live with my mum, my mum's parents and my uncle, who is tetraplegic and has been since I was born. I do 4 weeks per year paid care work for him, but every day I do what I can to help him. This includes giving him drinks, opening letters, helping with certain computer things (putting CD's in etc) and being his sole carer when the rest of the family is out (no more than a few hours). I also have a visual impairement. Just thought I'd post to say hi .

[jingleMAMADIVAsbells]

Hi

I'm not a carer but just wanted to say you sound lovely

Do you get a lot of help with thing's or are you main carer? Must be difficult for you but I'm sure your uncle appreciate's you very much!

[XmasLollipopViolet]

All the family that live in the house pitch in. I just cover my granddad's holidays and the rest of the time I do what I can (I've not done lifting etc yet! Too nervous and I'm only 5ft 3 lol)

[dejavuaswell]

Before people complain yes I know this is a very old thread. But ...

There has been another young carer on Mumsnet recently. If you do a search you might find the thread and at least get to swap experiences.

[catinthehat2]

Ah yes is this the thread you were thinking of?

I think there was another Violet on the thread I have just linked to, wonder if they are in any way connected.

[LollipopViolet]

No it's not me on there, I'd not seen that thread til just now.

We're coming up to a hard time in the family right now. In 18 months I'll have finished university, and will have to possibly make the decision to move out.

But I feel like I HAVE to stay. My grandparents are getting older, and so is my mum. So it feels like it's my duty almost to stay with them all to help look after my uncle.

But media jobs in our area are rarer than a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Don't know what to do It's a long way off now, but I'm sure it'll sneak up on me!