WOMAN OF THE WEEK: NATASHA UNGLAUBE

Natasha Unglaube is among 380,000 young Australians under the age of 25 who have devoted their childhood to caring for others.

For 14 years Natasha has been the primary carer for her mother Elke who suffers from Multiple Scoliosis (MS), Right Sided Heart Failure, Arthritis, Asthma and Depression. She also looks after her younger brother Daniel.

As the South Australian Young Carers Ambassador, she is now leading and supporting other young people who are faced with the challenging task of caring for family members suffering from illness, disability, mental health issues or alcohol and drug-related problems.

The Hoopla spoke with Natasha about her experience as a young carer.

1. What led you to becoming a carer?

When I was three years old I saved my mum’s life. It seemed like such a normal day and mum had some friends over. After her friends had been there for a while, mum started to have an asthma attack. Everyone was freaking out, and even at that young age I told them all to settle down and I called the ambulance. They came and treated her, whereupon mum got better.

2. What obstacles have you overcome during your time caring for your mother?

My caring roll really took off in 1997 when mum slipped down a two foot hole in my (then) stepfather’s backyard. Two of her lower discs herniated, which resulted in her being confined to a wheelchair. Over the years mum has had her good times and her bad times; just after her 50th birthday she got sick with pneumonia and at one stage it seemed like she wasn’t going to come out of the hospital.

But after two weeks in hospital she came out,  only to have two minor heart attacks soon after. Right now mum is good, but she is in constant pain which we try to minimise with strong and expensive pain killers.

3. What does your role as a Young Carers Ambassador for South Australia involve?

As a Young Carer Ambassador for South Australia I have done a range of things such as sharing my carer story and advocating for Young Carers through presentations and through the media. I have also supported Carers SA at stalls during Carers Week and at Disability expos. I am also the Young Carer representative from SA for the Australian National Young Carers Action Team (ANYCAT). At these meetings I provide input on a National level and represent the voices of Young Carers from South Australia.