They are 13, 12, 11, even 10 years old and… carers. For their brother, sister or parents. Last November, a program aimed exclusively at young carers was launched in Centre-du-Québec. A first in the province.
Published at 12:01 am. Updated at 05:00.
Justine Tourigny was only 3 years old when she began helping her older brother Hubert, who suffers from Down syndrome, with his daily tasks.
“I helped him put on his snow pants,” says the 10-year-old girl. Today she looks after her brother, who is five years older than her. “Like on strike days. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Justine Tourigny looks after her older brother, who suffers from Down syndrome.
Justine's face lights up when she talks about her brother, a hockey fan. She enjoys supporting him in his activities, despite the challenges. “Sometimes he acts like a pig,” she said, laughing slightly. “But I feel valued. »
“We often told her that she didn't have to, that she was the little sister and not the mother, but it was always her fault,” admits her mother Annie Slater at her side.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Justine Tourigny and her mother Annie Slater
Justine is the youngest participant in the Arthabaska-Érable Caregiver Association's latest program, the first-ever program in Quebec specifically designed for young caregivers caring for a loved one, regardless of diagnosis. Here, at the offices on Alice Street in Victoriaville, carers under 17 can meet after school or during educational days. carry out activities. To share their reality. And not to feel alone.
“We still strongly associate caregiving with the aging population,” notes Kim Hausselman-Beaudoin, youth worker at the Arthabaska-Érable Caregivers Association.
But young people can also provide valuable help.
With Justine I have peace of mind. I know she will understand the needs [de son frère]She knows his everyday life, then she knows what he likes and what he doesn't.
Annie Slater, mother of Justine Tourigny
A hidden reality
In Quebec, the reality of young nurses remains largely unknown. “We have been caring for young nurses in Europe and Ontario for more than ten years. Here we don’t even know what that means among the population,” says François Melançon, communications officer at the Arthabaska-Érable Caregivers Association. However, he estimates that the equivalent of four young people work as supervisors per class.
Many of them are unaware that they are caregivers or do not want to talk about it with their friends.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Kim Hausselman-Beaudoin, youth worker at the Arthabaska-Érable Caregivers Association
It's taboo to say, “My brother has this diagnosis or this disability,” so some people don't feel able to call themselves a caregiver. Other young people don't invite friends because mom has a mental health diagnosis or is sick.
Kim Hausselman-Beaudoin, youth worker at the Arthabaska-Érable Caregivers Association
The reality of young carers is often very different from that of adults. “They are in school, at a time when they need to socialize, so their reality as caregivers can create obstacles for them to develop their identity,” explains Ms. Hausselman-Beaudoin.
A normal day
It's a stormy Monday in December. Between his school day and his evening cadet program, Loufélix Gauthier finds time to visit the Association of Caregivers offices.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Loufélix Gauthier, 13, takes on the role of his brother's young carer.
Since a young age, the 13-year-old has taken on the role of young carer for his 11-year-old brother Tao, who suffers from autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and motor dyspraxia. “I don't talk about it openly with my friends, but when they come to my house they often realize what I have to do for my brother. For me it is normal, but for her it is completely different,” said the little boy, sitting next to the Christmas tree that decorated the room.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Justine Tourigny, Loufélix Gauthier, Anick Gosselin and Annie Slater at the Arthabaska-Érable Caregivers Association offices in Victoriaville
The challenge of being a caregiver? “We’re not free often,” he answers immediately. I often have to look after my brother. That's why I can't really play with my friends. » Thanks to the new program, the secondary school student discovered that “other children and young people experience the same reality as him,” explains his mother Anick Gosselin.
Need for rest
The pressure of being a young carer can be intense. And young people don't always feel comfortable talking to their parents about it. “I keep it all to myself because I think it's a small detail,” admits Loufélix. Because he knows that he is giving his parents an important impulse.
It helps them. It gives them time to themselves to do their things.
Loufelix Gauthier
In order to provide Loufélix with moments of peace, his mother ensures that he does not always have the same joint custody as his brother. “There are days when I take care of one child and then send the other to his father. So that [Loufélix] “I can have a good time,” says Ms. Gosselin.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Loufelix Gauthier and his mother Anick Gosselin
She emphasizes the need to listen and make the reality of caregivers known. “Often you think that the reality you are experiencing is the only one experiencing it. But it makes you realize that other families are going through the same thing. »
Other initiatives to support young carers are currently being developed in Quebec. The organization Proche Aidance Québec provides online resources for education and health professionals working with young caregivers, while the caregiver organization L'Appui has expanded its mission to support all caregivers, regardless of their age.
Learn more
27% Percentage of Canadians aged 15 to 29 who have cared for a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability or age-related issue.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2012