CAREGIVING YOUTH | Confessions

Meet Our Caregiving Youth

This series aims to spotlight over 5.4 million children and teenagers in the U.S., plus the tens of millions of youths worldwide, aged 21 or younger, who are currently or have previously provided care for individuals with complex illnesses, chronic conditions, disabilities, and mental health issues as well as for aging loved ones.

It features heartfelt stories from caregiving teens and young adults, along with educational episodes from organizations that offer programming to support these young caregivers worldwide.

Rebekah Dowhy, USA

Rebekah is the founder and President of the Caregiving Support Network, a ministry dedicated to giving hope and practical relief to unpaid family caregivers.
Rebekah knows firsthand how relieving respite care is to a caregiver. Her mother was diagnosed with MS the same year she was born. Rebekah’s earliest caregiving memories include brushing and braiding her mothers hair. Those caregiving duties grew to administering medications, managing feeding tubes and complicated medical equipment as her mothers illness progressed.

Rebekah says although she had a relationship with God and loved her Mom, at times she felt so alone, hopeless, and tired. Relief only came when kind neighbors and friends would give a few hours of their time to sit with her mother.
In 2015 the idea of the Caregiving Support Network was placed on my heart when I was still caring for her mother because she knew other caregivers had to be facing the same hardships and joys. She felt compelled to tell them they were not alone. In 2022, that idea became a reality.

Kaylin Jean-Louis, USA

In May 2017, as Kaylin's grandmother’s Alzheimer’s Dementia progressed, her mother decided that they should move into her home to provide care in a familiar environment. She was only 11 years old. For the year prior, they had visited her grandmother’s home every morning and evening to ensure she was eating, bathing, and cared for, while she spent weekends at with Kaylin and her mom. This routine became increasingly challenging as her condition worsened.

Once we began providing full-time, 24-hour care, I took on the role of secondary caregiver, assisting with meals, bathing, cleaning, and comforting her during difficult times. In April 2018, we received a call from a family friend informing us that my 95-year-old great-grandmother by love could no longer live alone and needed daily care. Thus, I became a secondary caregiver for two loved ones with Alzheimer’s Dementia.

Balancing care for both brought moments of joy, like taking selfies and sharing laughs, as well as moments of sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty. For four years, I cared for them and supported my mom in meeting their needs until my great-grandmother by love passed away in January 2022. I continue to care for my grandmother as she battles the later stages of Alzheimer’s Dementia.

My caregiving journey inspired me to create a platform for other youth caregivers through my non-profit organization, Kaylin’s Caring Konnection, Inc. I established the “Youth Care Too! Movement” to recognize, celebrate, and advocate for youth caregivers who selflessly support their loved ones. This movement has led to youth caregiver awareness drives, the provision of helpful resources, and advocacy for caregiving issues in my local legislature.

Dr. Feylin Lewis, USA

A native of Nashville, Tennessee and a Vanderbilt University alumna, Dr. Lewis grew up as a youth caregiver for her disabled mother. Her experience with caregiving, disability, and living life on the margins led her on a path of global research and advocacy. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Social Work. Her research focuses on mental health and resiliency in youth and young adult caregivers, and she conducts research in the US, Europe, UK, and Australia. Dr. Lewis currently works as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, where she is responsible for providing vision, leadership and strategic planning for student affairs programming that delivers holistic wellness formal support services, student life and community engagement.

Outside of work, she serves as the Vice-President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Junior League of Nashville and co-chairs the Congressionally appointed PCORI Healthcare Delivery and Disparities Research Advisory Panel, and she sits on numerous other international advisory boards. She currently resides in Nashville where she continues to provide care for her mother.

Aditya Akella, UK

Aditya Akella is a regular teenager in England, proud older brother of a special needs boy. Interested greatly in cars, public speaking, sports and politics.

Aditya shares: “My younger brother has severe autism and ADHD, and is non-verbal. Being an older brother is a far different role than being a parent, as I have to look after not only his safety, hygiene and basic needs, but also protect his future.

The biggest thing that helped me achieve what I'm achieving today despite the 'limitations' of being a young carer, is simply using my role as a carer to give me more confidence and purpose. The fact that I have a younger brother who needs to be supported is the key driving factor that encourages me to do anything to offer both myself and him a bright future. A lot of carers fall into the trap of feeling insecure or restricted by their role, though being a carer is more of a launchpad than it is a well.”

Samiha Rahman, Canada

I’m Samiha, a 24-year-old young caregiver from Toronto, Canada. I graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Sciences in 2022 from Western University and am going back there this fall for Medical School. Since graduating, I’ve been working at Hospice Toronto, a non-profit organization that I’ve been a part of for almost 10 years (with their Young Carers Program). I love spending time with my friends and family, walks by the lake, and trying new restaurants.

In 2011, when I was 11 years old, my mom was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. My younger sister was only 3 at the time. She was given 2-5 years to live. Within that time, we were told all of her nerves and muscles would stop functioning, so she would no longer be able to move/talk/eat and eventually breathe on her own. 13 years later, she is still with us today.

Aaliyah Zarem, Canada

My name is Aaliyah! I am a 14 year old older sister and competitive rock climber. One thing about me is that I love camp and going on canoe trips.

I care for my younger sister. She is 13 but is technically 2 years younger because I have a late birthday. She has autism yet still thrives. She also has a shared passion for rock climbing.

Nahla Ahmed, Australia

Hi I’m Nahla I’m 14 years old and I care for my mum. I first became a carer for my mum when I was 8 years old. In late 2018 my Mum, Sister and I left our family home due to domestic violence. After that, mum was going through a polio relapse but didn’t realize she was having one. That led to me and my sister having to help mum walk until she went to the doctor to see what was wrong. She had been to the doctor and then started to walk with crutches. At home, my sister and I would help with the cooking and cleaning to make things easier for mum.

Alia Ahmed, Australia

I’m Alia Ahmed and I am 16 years old. I became a carer for my mum when I was 10 as she had a polio relapse. I would help her walk before she got crutches but now I just help her with things like going to appointments, cooking, cleaning and overall just being there for her.