EVERY day, when Bethany gets home from school, she gives mother Jane Crammond a wash. She helps with Jane’s physiotherapy, washes up and tidies, washes her mother’s hair twice a week.
It is a far cry from the way most 11-year-olds spend their evenings, but Bethany is different. Jane describes her as a “wise head on young shoulders” and certainly, although tiny in stature, Bethany does not seem to let life stand in her way. It was she who, aged eight, volunteered to care for her mother.
Bethany has cared for mum Jane since she suffered a stroke
“It makes me feel happy inside that I can help,” she explains seriously. “It will help Mummy a lot to get better.”
Jane, who also has a 15-year-old son, was unaware of any health problems before she had the stroke, at the age of 42.
Although she went back to work at the Post Office
afterwards, her poor mobility and balance meant she had to leave six months later.
A fall a few months after that complicated issues further and she is currently unable to leave the house.
“Bethany’s my rock ,” she says proudly. “She’s always there to support me, encourage me, to say: ‘Come on Mummy, you can do it’.
Monday, 8 October 2012 06:28 UK
Oritsé says it was hard caring for his mother when he was a teenager
He says it is very different from when he was 11 and his mother’s main carer.
Published on Monday 1 October 2012 08:19
SOUTH Shields MP David Miliband took time out to join children affected by cancer at a Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
The event was hosted by Macmillan Young Carers’ service at Ridgeway Children’s Centre in Park Avenue, South Shields.
Former Foreign Secretary Mr Miliband said: “I am delighted to meet the young people and their families – Macmillan does a first-class job, and I am pleased to support its efforts in raising much-needed money for a very worthwhile charity.”
The young carers’ service supports children from five to 18, who are caring for a parent with cancer.
Sarah Raistrick, young carers’ service awareness co-ordinator, who organised the coffee morning, said: “We’re delighted that Mr Miliband took time out of his busy schedule to help support both the children we work with and Macmillan Cancer Support.”
It was one of many coffee mornings taking place throughout the borough.
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