Hi, my name is Carmel Digweed and I was hoping somebody might be able to help me. I am currently working for the Independent newspaper, but am coming back to uni in a few weeks to finish my degree. As a child of a disabled parent myself, I was hoping to put together a radio feature on the topic, whether it is fair on the child, or whether it makes no difference to them etc.

It won't be broadcast and will simply be put in my portfolio. If anybody could help me, and is willing to chat to me about it on tape in a few weeks time, or knows anybody who may be willing to, please send me a message or email me on joa06cd@shef.ac.uk

Thanks

Try contacting:

http://dagda.shef.ac.uk/help_yourself/full_search_new.asp?group=20567&searchname=young

Maybe try contacting the Sheffield Carers website, which has a sticky thread at the top of this forum.

Not wishing to criticize and I know there are many children that have it hard looking after a disabled parent, but this is a topic that is done a lot. What is never done is the more positive side of disabled parents who look after children. As a disabled parent myself I have never asked my children to look after me but it is often assumed that I am cared for not the carer. It has been very difficult as a disabled parent doing the same things as able bodied people not because of my physical disabilities but because in many places where children go to there is no provsion for their parent being disabled. eg childrens workshops upstairs, no access to changing rooms in swimming pools to help change my little girl so she could go swimming with her daddy, baby changing facilities that are only in female toilets so my husband couldn't do it. Trips in inaccessible busses so my children couldn't go on Playgroup or Nursery trips. The time I've had to wait outside of a building while my children go in with my husband. Access is getting better but the mindset is still there ie. disabled equals helpless.