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Illness & disability
Illness & disability
Do you know someone with an illness or disability? My parent, guardian or grandparent has an illness or disability
My parent, guardian or grandparent has an illness or disability
If your parent, guardian, or grandparent has a disability or illness, your life may be a little different from your friends. You may have to help out more around the house, do more chores, cook dinner, or help your parent, guardian, or grandparent eat or get dressed.
Having a parent, guardian, or grandparent with an illness or disability can be tough. But good things can come from it, too. You have a special chance to learn some lessons that other teens do not. You will learn a lot about different types of people and families, just from growing up in your home! Your family may look a little different compared with other families. Your dad may be the one who stays home, while your mom works. Or your parent, guardian, or grandparent may not be able to come to your sports games. But they will probably want to hear how the game went as soon as you get home. And you most likely feel more at ease with different types of people because you are used to seeing differences at home. The lessons you learn will be with you for life and will help you to be a better person.
If you take care of a parent, guardian, sister or brother, check out our young caregivers section.
"When we go to Six Flags I want dad to go on all the rides with me, but he can't. But he has a lot of fun winning hats and prizes. I'm glad I have him because we go on a lot of field trips for school and I want him to go. He makes a way to go and will drive us."
– M.H.
Source: Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, Pushin' On Newsletter, Vol 16[2], Summer 1998.
Content last updated October 21, 2009
