Kai is a former youth caregiver. He says youth caregivers need support and recognition.
Transcript
Well, like I said, like if they could give us some support in terms of respite care, financial support, academic… advocacy—because I know if I didn’t have my mom, I wouldn’t have a clue what questions to ask at the doctor’s, what I need to know in terms of caregiving. Like, I would not know the first thing. So, I’m assuming that a lot of these youth don’t have advocacy. So, advocacy is a big thing. But I think the most important thing for the kids [is] they really want—and I keep hearing this everywhere I go—is they want the recognition that what they’re doing should be recognized by the government, that this is just as important as what an adult would be doing.
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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.