Global Voices: Young caregivers grow up too fast – Canada.com

May 30, 2017

Those who tend to loved ones who are ill, addicted, disabled or injured part of invisible class

Kendra* grew up too fast.

At 12, she’d do her homework while caring for her twin with non-verbal autism as he watched the same Disney film over and over. She’d cook dinner while helping her older brother, living with a severe learning disability, make sense of his school work. At 14, her father died suddenly from cancer, and she assumed even more responsibility as a caregiver while her mom took on a second job.

Kendra is one of the 1.9 million young carers across the country — teenagers or young adults who look after loved ones in the face of illness, addiction, disability or injury.

Read More: http://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-young-caregivers-grow-up-too-fast