Carer stories
One-in-eight Australians provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is aged. But what is it really like to care?
On this page...
As part of the Carers NSW 40th Birthday celebrations, we are asking carers to share their stories to help raise awareness of the role of carers and the incredible work they do in supporting a loved one.
If you have a story that you’d like to share, please write to us at commsteam@carersnsw.org.au or Carers NSW, PO Box 785, North Sydney NSW 2059.
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Suddenly an everyday carer by Rachel
My sudden role change and development into a carer occurred in 2012 when a surgeon phoned from America asking for my consent to perform decompression surgery on my daughter, Emily. She had fractured a neck vertebra (C5) in a fall, resulting in a spinal cord injury (SCI) which rendered her quadriplegic. -
Nick's story
Growing up I never saw myself as a carer. Ever since I can remember I have been helping out at home, caring for my Mum who has depression and a heart condition. I also help care for my older sister who has been diagnosed with ODD, Autism, Asperger’s and epilepsy and my younger brother who has been diagnosed with ODD, Autism, ADHD and Asperger’s. -
A carer’s insight into hospitals by Brydie Allen
“Nurses are wonderful in care, though sometimes I wonder if I am in the way. Am I a nuisance being here? I don’t want to leave mum.” -
Lyall Bay by Greg Smith
"Very rarely do I think about how life could be different, the past will not change and the future is yet to happen." -
A carer’s experience by Sandy Bröcking
"Can anything prepare you for life as a carer?" -
Just holding hands by Elizabeth Long
"Noel’s Alzheimer’s Dementia was officially diagnosed in 2009 but I think of 2010 as the year our journey really began." -
Life as a young carer by Anthony
"One of the major lessons I have learnt is the value of patience and persistence." -
Parents know their kids best by Liz Wall Smith
“Being aware of your rights and those of the person you care for can help with fair access to things that most people take for granted” -
Caring just happened by Anne
I did not wake up one morning and decide that I would like to become a carer, no it just happened, I was suddenly a carer.