Kai was a youth caregiver. He would like the government to recognize that youth are often responsible for caring for someone too.
Transcript
We are getting the word out there, but our goal is to challenge legislation and to get the support. And if they can’t afford to give us support, at least give the children the recognition that they want. Because they feel that, a lot of them, the common thing that we get is “We feel that they favour the adults more than the youth,” because they feel that the youth have the energy, they have the—they’re young; they’ve assumed that we have the time to do this. But to juggle between the family, education, social life…
Social life is the big thing. I think that’s one of the things that I do wish that…because of this experience I missed out on a lot. Not much of my high school career, but my early 20s was basically looking after dad. So I missed out on a lot of those experiences.
It’s hard work. But there’s good times and bad times, but I think there’s more of a sacrifice on the youth caregivers’ part. They’re sacrificing their education, their social life. And that’s the thing. I think the government needs to know that social life is, I think, the most—well I have to say—the most important part of a kid’s life, because that’s what helps us to learn how to be around people and society, and to work together. And I think if we, if the experience isn’t there, […] it’s really hard to regain that, that sense of social life. Like I said, I’m still struggling to fit in with my friends. And they know what I went through now, but even still, it’s still difficult. So, I think there’s more of a sacrifice for the youth because we don’t have the support from the government. We still feel that they just don’t…they see it as a way of life for us and it’s expected of us because we’re young. But I think it’s more of a sacrifice for youth.
More from: Kai
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- When care changes over time – Kai Kai’s father decided he would go off the dialysis. Kai describes the positive effects of this decision.
- Society and caregiving 2 – KaiKai was a youth caregiver. He would like the government to recognize that youth are often responsible for caring for someone too.
- Society and caregiving – KaiWhen Kai got a job, he didn’t tell his employer or colleagues that his father was ill. You don’t want to let everyone know that your family is not perfect.
- Resources – KaiKai became involved in a pilot project to raise awareness about youth caregiving and helped to create a youth support group.
- Providing support – KaiDuring a week-long training session, Kai and his mother learned to run the dialysis machine overnight.
- Personal growth and transformation – KaiAlthough caregiving is hard, Kai thinks we should embrace the experience and learn from it.
- Interaction with professionals 2 – KaiKai suggests that healthcare professionals get to know their patient and family, especially when visiting their home. Get to know their likes and dislikes, and how they like things to be done.
- Interaction with professionals – KaiIn one of the most difficult moments, Kai and his father met an excellent doctor who was honest and made Kai feel included.
- Impact on professional life and career 2 – KaiKai became involved in a video project to raise awareness for youth caregiving, and helped start a youth support group.
- Impact on professional life and career – KaiKai started working to help out financially, but was so distracted by the situation at home that he was eventually fired.