From M.E. to You: Juggling life with being a young carer

Two young people with a bright future in the performing arts have been nominated to share a hamper in the ME Association’s great Christmas give-away to our favourite unpaid carers.

Brother-and-sister Leuan and Sophie Laing have been named by their mother Ruth for taking care of her during the worst times of her illness.

“Bring a solo, full time parent with M.E. is really tough.

“We had recently moved to a new area when I became severely unwell in 2013. At the time Sophie and Ieuan were 11 and 9 and I went from mum who did everything to mum who slept for 18 hours a day and was in bed resting for most of the remaining six.

“This of course impacted Sophie and Ieuan but they handled it so well. They helped and supported me where appropriate and possible and were supported by the fantastic Sally and Dux from CREDU, the special support service for unpaid cars in Powys.

“Despite the challenges of helping to look after me and the pressures that came upon them from having a mother who was differently able, they flourished and achieved and now they are both following their dreams at University.

“I am so proud of them and how they have become amazing people despite all of the challenges.”

There’s a lovely shot of Leuan juggling at his end-of-course BTEC show last summer. He is now studying Circomedia in Bristol for a foundation course in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre.

Sophie is also excelling in her third year at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, She is studying Costume Production.

Ruth added: “I think it's so important to show that it can be possible for young carers to excel and become their own people as long as the correct support is in place. CREDU was key for us.”

“This is a joint nomination for both of my now grown-up children”, wrote Ruth from her home in Llanfyllin, a quiet market town in Powys, mid-Wales.

Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Consultant, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566