Communication and Support

After watching Britain's Youngest Carers and having a good cry, I knew I needed to blog again. Something like that brings home how important communication and support is. It's one of those things people forget; everyone talks about getting physical support, getting someone in to do some of the caring for you. However some people forget the emotional effects of caring.

I am one of the luckiest young carers because the support I've had from school, family and my peers is just out of this world. No matter how small or big my problem was there was someone there to stand by my side and talk it through. It felt weird to have people willing to spend time with me when I was making a fuss over tiny things. At the time it felt stupid but now looking back I've realised how important that support was to be being able to go back home and be a young carer. 

However I know my story and support isn't the norm, I hear horror stories of young people having to battle it alone and then something slips, be it their education or their caring skills. You also hear stories of children getting support but feeling patronised or like they are stuck between bad and worse. I did research for this post because I have no concept of bad support and I read the bellow quote from a young carer: 

'Is it because of my size and age you 
assume I don't have adult responsibilities?
Remember, what you might think is reassuring can come across to me as patronizing.'

Even with the outstanding support I've had I really can understand the point, even as a young carer, doing her best to support others, its hard not to patronise people or sound like I know everything. There is a fine line in communication which no matter what the topic. 

All I really wanted to say in this post was despite not being fully trained or knowing everything I want to be their to support you all. I want to hear your comments about how you cope and want you to tweet or facebook me (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Young-Carers-Zone/213880772138953 or https://twitter.com/youngcarerszone) to share your stories and show your support. I also really want to hear some success stories.I want people to see how strong we are as a group of young people, because no matter what you feel you are strong and you are amazing. 

So get commenting, tweeting or liking our page because communication is so important and people need to be aware of that.

Love to you all,

Shannon x

Our Rights

Now when I first set this page up I promised myself I would never do anything boring on this page but I wanted to cover your rights, you are still young people and you still I have lives, so please follow this link and just remind you of what you really deserve!

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/young/young/Pages/young-carers-rights.aspx

Sorry it's so short but this is really important esspecially when you are like me and are currently doing your GCSEs
Shannon x 

Up before 9AM

Dear Bloggashere (and yes that's now a word!)

I'm going to say sorry once because this blog post is an emotional one and emotional me and grammatical sense don't sit in the same sentence!

But anyway to the actual post! Well ish...
Any teenager will know that if you're not busy that day you will not be up before 9am and if you are then something has gone wrong! Well this morning I wasn't busy but I was up at 08:30 which meant something had gone wrong! Now if the time didn't tell me that my Mum's crying did! Now any young carer knows the sound of the person your caring for tear's is like a knife stabbing you in the heart;It also sends adrenalin straight through your body. This morning was no different!

Mum has been taking steroids for about 3 or 4 days now and I'd love to say it's working but I honestly can't, as far as I've seen they give her all these stupid side affects and maybe make everything a tiny bit better.

This morning the steroids just made life a giant mountain! When I walked into Mum and Dad's room this morning I had no real idea what was going to happen. Now all that happened was having a hug, a chat and then the standard move! But that hug and chat is probably the hardest part. Seeing my Mum so weak and vulnerable is heartbreaking; Mum is such a strong person who I look up to but laying with her as she cried and could barely move just didn't feel like it was my Mum at all.

In the end we moved her and we're all now sat in the lounge being a family. But moments like this morning made it all sink in. It really made me realise how much of a Monster MS can be. It also made me realise that the emotional side of being a carer is the tough mountain you might have to climb!

Once again, sorry if this doesn't really make sense or I'm missing sections out! You see this morning is still a bit of an emotional blur to me but I want you all to see some of the darker times because they make the better days so much better!

Love
Shannon x  

Juggling

Well here I am again saying sorry for ditching you all for such long time! But hear me out, I have my reasons! Like all of you I have a life which has managed to take over everything! School and GCSEs take no prisoners, they will happily take over your life and you can't get angry with it because it hold the key to the rest of your life! The other thing I've happily let slip into my life and take up lots of my time is St John Ambulance.

Therefore from this and from a St John Ambulance National Cadet Of the Year Competition I've realised I can't juggle. Where that be actual juggling or metaphorical juggling I can't do it!

So once again I'm sorry but give me time and I'll learn to juggle!
Thanks

Shannon x

I'm Sorry

I went on this wondrous idea about vlogging and yeah it's not up on YouTube. Like normal I'm saying sorry because life has got in the way and once again I'm sorry!! The vlogs will be up as soon as life allows it!

Sorry everyone!!
Shannon x  

Vloging

Peek-a-boo

So, I'm not a great blogger but you know I try and sat in my chair scrolling through YouTube it came to me... Vlog!! My brain said to me "Girl,here is the facts: 1) you take a camera with you everywhere you go. 2) YouTube is an amazing platform and 3) Vloginig would be easier than trying to blog about your day"! Well thank you brain, you've been helpful!

Therefore as a bit of a trial run I have set up the 'youngcarersvlogs' YouTube channel  in the hope of really being able to show you what life is like as a young carer but like always I'll need your support.

Now by this time next week (if you remind me (Family and friends that's you!!)) then you should have the first youngcarersvlogs video up online!!

Much love to you all, wish me look and hopefully I will see you all soon!!

Shannon x

The Festivities.

Decorating the tree- Shannon and Mum bonding time!!

   




Fish and chip supper at Wilma's! oh and we thought we'd decorate her house!!









                                                                                               

 Shopping and cake decorating!!

Christmas Day- A good old bit of family time!!

 Boxing Day with Nana, and all my lovely presents from Dad's Family

Family meal out!! (30/12/13)

New Years Eve 

 

Ok so some of you are going "the pictures are great but put them on your facebook or something; this has nothing to do with being a young carer!!". Well it kind of does, yeah you're right but putting these pictures up was my way of saying 'look guys life can be normal' ok we had the odd topple and fall and we had our down days! However Christmas was still Christmas! 

This is where I say goodbye and love you all and Happy New Year!!! 

Shannon xxx