Young carer Julia Sigalas stood before a crowd of 100 people to share her story for National Carers Week at Liverpool Hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit last week.
A decade ago the 13-year-old’s father had a cerebral haemorrhage and doctors didn’t think he would survive.
“The brain injury impacted everyone. I lived with my grandparents and aunty for a year. My mum had to quit her career as a chef,” the Chipping Norton teen said.
“It had a profound effect on my life but it has also given us a unique father and daughter bond.
“Today, I tie up dad’s shoelaces and help him with whatever he needs. Through all of this, the Liverpool Hospital Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit has been a major positive for all of us.”
Chris Sigalas, now 43, had a viral infection and bad migraine at age 31. This resulted in him collapsing, suffering a seizure and a cerebral haemorrhage.
When the haemorrhage occurred, part of Chris’ skull was removed to reduce the swelling on his brain, and he spent three months in the intensive care unit at Liverpool Hospital followed by the brain injury rehabilitation unit.
The crowd cheered when Julia bravely shared her personal story as a young carer, which finished with a quote from First Lady of the United States and wife of President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter: “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those will need a caregiver.”
Chris’ wife Grace said it was touch and go when his health spiralled a decade ago. The aftermath has left Chris with lifelong memory, speech and comprehension complications.
“Chris has always been such a caring person and is so very proud of both his girls but, there is no doubt, his and our lives have changed in a big way,” Mrs Sigalas said.
“The brain injury impacted everyone but it has also brought us closer together and the girls, Julia and Christina, 10, are more empathetic to others.
“What I do know is, without the brain injury rehabilitation unit at Liverpool Hospital, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We are so thankful for everything the team has done to help over the years.”
National Carers Week is a chance to educate and raise awareness about the diversity of carers and their caring roles. This year, National Carers Week ran from 13 to 19 October and nationally, there are over 2.7 million family and friend carers providing 36 million hours of care every week.
Brave young lady getting up in front of people and telling her family’s story