Zuhair, 17 from Perth

Zuhair is a young carer for his much loved  two younger siblings Mo and Elaine who were both diagnosed with a form of ataxia six years ago, ataxia is a progressive degenerative disease that affects balance, control and eye movement.

Caring for Mo and Elaine involves the whole family and this became especially hard following a car accident which left Zuhair’s mother temporarily unable to walk. Zuhair started to care more  for his siblings to enable his father to keep working. Like so many young carers, this has at times left Zuhair feeling isolated and struggling with his mental health.

Zuhair has been supported by PKAVS, which are funded by BBC Children in Need to deliver support to young carers. The support worker at PKAVS acts as a lifeline for Zuhair and his other sister Layan, also a young carer for the family. Attending PKAVS has enabled Zuhair to meet other young carers like him, providing him with the opportunity to feel more connected to peers going through similar challenges.