Airdrie girl opens up about looking after younger brother in constant pain

A 12-year-old girl from Airdrie is opening up about looking after her younger brother who wakes up at night crying in pain.

Gracie Guild often misses out on spending time with her friends to help her mum with Joey.

Speaking to Clyde 1 as carers week begins, she said: "He is sick all of the time even though he is tube-fed and we don't know what to do.

"I rub his belly to try to comfort him.

"It's really hard when he is up set and in pain, sometimes he will scream for a doctor."

Gracie's caring responsibilities include providing medical support in tube feeding Joey when required, intimate care when supporting bath time and toileting, and providing emotional support to her brother and mum.

She has been getting support from Action for Children over the last two years where she often gets to mix with other young carers.

She added: "My other friends don't understand what it is like and when I am here I have more people to talk to about what things are like at home.

"I always come away feeling like I've had a really fun night."

Carla McGuire from Action for Children said: "Thousands of kids all over Scotland don't even realise they are a carer for someone else.

"They often have lots of responsibilities to juggle aside from their caring role like school and a social life.

"Without the correct support, it can be difficult and they might not achieve their full potential.

"Once the right help is there they can then move on to college, university, a job, a modern apprenticeship or anything they'd like to do."

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