Podcast episode: I'm a young carer, but hey

Lauren is 17 when she wins the design competition for the national MND Youth Hub. A cup of oatmeal in the morning symbolises her beautiful relationship with her dad, Carlos, who has motor neurone disease. Lauren also created the artwork for this episode which pictures the pair.

 

Lauren's story

Lauren's entry below won our Youth Week Design Contest 2023. Lauren created her design traditionally with ink on paper, scanned it, and coloured it digitally. Lauren allowed us to also share the beautiful story that came with her design via email.

I designed my logo hoping to capture a common experience for most young carers of MND patients. As a young carer myself, I started by reflecting on the time spent with my father every morning preparing breakfast for us. It's a small moment of peace that I treasure deeply, before even thinking about the stressful day ahead! I feel that a morning cup of coffee is something that every young carer has made at some point for their loved one, and I hoped to capture the meaning it holds as a little bit of hope for people affected by MND.

Lauren Alzamore Youth Week Design Contest 259

 

Other Youth Services

  • Carers Australia - Young carers

    There are programs available to support young carers including respite services, referrals and information, and counselling. For more information visit the young carers page of the Carers Australia website .

  • Kids and grief

    There is help out there for children and adults who experience grief and loss. Take a look at this one for young people between 6 and 18, and speak to your parents if you think this (or another program) is for you. Seasons for growth is “a program that strengthens the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people who are adapting to experiences of change, loss and grief in their lives.” Children & young people | The MacKillop Institute

  • Kids Helpline

    The Kids Help Line is a private and confidential telephone and online counselling service dedicated to help children and young adults. You can speak with Kidsline about carer stress, or other issues ranging from relationship breakdown and bullying to sexual abuse, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, depression and drug and alcohol usage. The helpline service receives more than one million calls per year. Kids Helpline is available 24/7 every day of the year. Phone: 1800 55 1800 Email counselling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web Chat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling

  • National Centre for Childhood Grief (NCCG)

    The National Centre for Childhood Grief (NCCG) is a service that provides specialist grief and bereavement counselling to children and families impacted by MND. Services include child and adult counselling, kids groups, adventure camps, parent and caregiver support groups as well as education courses and resources. The NCCG can support children aged 3-17 who are impacted by MND from the point of MND diagnosis and through to bereavement care. Contact your MND Advisor to support with referral or you can self-refer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1800 654 556