Society Logo
ME/CFS Australia Ltd
Please click here to donate ME/CFS South Australia Inc
 
 
Facebook
 
ME/CFS SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Registered Charity 3104

Email:
sacfs@sacfs.asn.au

Mailing address:

PO Box 322,
Modbury North,
South Australia 5092

Phone:
1300 128 339

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday,
10am - 4pm
(phone)

ME/CFS South Australia Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.

Disclaimer

ME/CFS South Australia Inc aims to keep members informed of various research projects, diets, medications, therapies, news items, etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.

Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.

Become a Member
DOCX Application Form (Word, 198 KB)
Why become a member?

Inspirational student has been a carer for both parents since childhood

Tuesday 31 December 2013

 

From the UK's Daily Mail:

 

Sarah Thomas with her mother and father
Sarah Thomas cares for her mother and father, who suffer
from multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia respectively
 

'I could dress myself before I even learned to speak': Inspirational student has been a carer for BOTH parents since childhood

  • Sarah Thomas, 19, from Shrewbsury cares for her mother and father
  • They suffer from multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia respectively
  • Shortlisted for the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards

By DENI KIRKOVA
PUBLISHED: 09:32 GMT, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 14:03 GMT, 5 December 2013

A teenager from Shrewsbury who has been caring for both her parents for a decade has been nominated for a Women Of The Year Award.

Sarah Thomas, 19, cares for her mother Carole, 56, and father Ray, 59, who suffer from multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia respectively and has been looking out for them since she was a toddler.

As well as looking after her parents Sarah campaigns tirelessly to gain better recognition and support for other young carers, and to support the MS Society.

Most children enjoy a carefree childhood, free from adult responsibilities. But for as long as she can remember, Sarah has had to play the grown-up.

'People were amazed to see me put my own shoes on before I could speak, but it was what I'd always known,' she says. 'I didn't realise I was doing more than other children.'

When Sarah was 6, her mother had a serious relapse and her father was hospitalised with blood poisoning.

For the first time, I was able to understand the seriousness of our situation,' she says.

As her mother's health worsened, she took on increasing responsibilities: preparing meals, doing housework and helping her to the bathroom, causing chronic back pain.

'Young carers are often accused of being extremely serious, and even bullied,' says Sarah. 'But we're just caught up in bigger problems.'

Determined to make a difference, when she was eight Sarah became a representative for the Young Carers' Forum set up by the Red Cross, which provided carers the chance to be playful and make up for their lost childhood.

Then, aged nine, Sarah was taught how to give her mum injections. 'It was daunting, but I tried to take it in my stride,' she says.

Five years later, another devastating blow hit the family when Sarah's dad was diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease and fibromyalgia.

'He used to be a builder, so it was hard for us to watch him deteriorate,' she says.

'Everyday tasks can be difficult for him on a bad day, whether that's lifting and carrying or putting on his coat. I help him wherever I can.'

With first-hand insight into carers' issues, in 2010, she headed to Downing Street with the Red Cross to question David Cameron on what support the government planned to offer.

One of the issues she raised was her restricted opportunities to study at university - a problem she overcame by studying an Open University degree. 'At a normal uni I'd worry about the fees - they'd go to waste if something happened at home and I had to leave.'

When Sarah was invited to carry the Olympic torch in 2012 she used the opportunity to raise money for her local branch of the MS Society, and has volunteered with the charity for over ten years.

Today, she continues to campaign alongside caring for her parents, setting up an awareness group for those crossing over from child to adult carers at her college, and training to provide emotional support on the Carers UK phone line.

'I'll never stop campaigning and building awareness for carers of all ages,' she says. 'I want to break down stigmas attached to us and help get the support we need.'

Sarah hasn't let her unusual childhood stop her living her life, and in 2010 met her fiancé, Sam Eaton, 21, through a mutual friend.

'I've always been happy to sacrifice partying to help out at home, but I used to worry it would stop me meeting someone,' says Sarah.

'Sam has made my life complete.'

Jenna Mahoney of the MS Society says: 'Sarah's been caring for her mum since she could walk. She's volunteered for her local branch of the MS Society since she was a teenager and played an active role in raising awareness of MS and the work of young carers.

'She's kept both issues high on the agenda. She's an inspiration to us all and well worthy of an award nomination.'

Sarah has been shortlisted for the Campaigner category The Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2013 with Vauxhall Adam

 

The above originally appeared here.

 


Arrow right

More Fibromyalgia News

 


 

blog comments powered by Disqus
Previous Previous Page