When someone in your family has a long-term illness or disability, there can be many implications for the people around them. The person you care for may need help with going to appointments, with medication and help understanding how the illness or disability can be lived with.
Cancer
What is cancer?
Cancer is just one word. But it’s used to describe more than 200 different conditions. Each one has different symptoms, features and treatments.
Put simply, cancer is caused by changes in our cells. Cells in one part of the body change, grow and reproduce, invading other nearby tissue.
Most cancer causes lumps called tumours. But cancers of the blood, such as leukaemia, usually don’t.
Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance that treatment will be successful.
Some places to find information
Cancer Care Map is an online resource to help people living with cancer find care and support services in their local area and across the UK.
It sign posts to emotional support, medical services, practical concerns plus health and wellbeing.
Ruth Strauss Foundation
The Ruth Strauss Foundation’s free, UK-wide, Family Support Service provides parents with incurable cancer the professional emotional support they need to start the difficult conversation with their children about their diagnosis.
The Foundation also provides free resources for parents, and professionals, to enable them to support children’s understanding of incurable cancer.
The service offers 1:1 sessions with parents, as well as online peer support groups for partners/co-parents.
You can find more information on their website here https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/info-and-support/
Epilepsy
The Epilepsy Society have designed a FREE online course specifically to support family members and friends of people living with epilepsy.
This informative and accessible course offers practical guidance, emotional support strategies, and essential knowledge to help carers feel more confident to support their loved ones.
It’s a valuable resource for anyone supporting someone with epilepsy, whether they are new to the condition or looking to deepen their understanding. You can find out more here.
Multiple sclerosis – A book for primary aged YCs
Femi’s Story – A story book for primary age children who help look after someone with MS
If you are working with any primary-aged young carers caring for a parent with a physical illness/disability then there is a free book which I came across called ‘Femi’s Story’ which might be helpful.
It’s specifically related to caring for someone with MS but some of the issues will be common for young carers supporting adults because of other physical conditions.
Read the sample pages. See a book review ‘Femi’s Story’ book review | MS Society and how to buy the book.
