More should be done for Child Carers ...

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http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/20 ... -more-help

A FORMER postman signed off work with disabilities since he was run over by a car on his rounds is calling for more to be done for children who look after their parents.

David Horn-Marquez said he felt like he had become a burden to his sons, aged 15 and 10, since the serious accident in Chalk Farm Road in 2003.

He was hit by a car near Majestic’s wine shop and his shoulder was dislodged in such a way that it cannot be properly fixed. He says it dislocates “20 to 40 times a day” causing a lot of pain and distress.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Clarence Way, Kentish Town, said: “I just think these kids who are looking after their parents should be rewarded for that. Obviously I value them, but my kids should be taken on trips. There should be things for them to do and to give them time to be kids.

“It is also doubly unfair on my kids as they have to live in cramped conditions. They have no space to relax, they have no space to do their homework.”

Mr Horn-Marquez said he qualifies for five hours’ care a week from the council but that his children help him with a range of day-to-day problems such as getting dressed and eating. He lives in a two-bedroom council flat with his wife, a teaching assistant, and his two boys.

“I am in a lot of pain,” said Mr Horn-Marquez. “I get stressed and angry sometimes and especially with the council. I rung them up on Tuesday and said I needed new taps fitted because I can’t turn them and they told me I ‘didn't fit the criteria’.”

The council has a section on its website where it says that some “young carers” have told the Town Hall they may be “missing out on childhood” while others have said that they “feel valued because of their caring role”.

A joint “strategy” with Islington Council was agreed in 2012 which sets a priority to “enable young carers to enjoy a life outside of caring”.

The council said it would visit Mr Horn-Marquez.