TODDLER Poppy Unwin has taken on a career a little early in life by helping to look after her big sister who suffers a host of health conditions, which is why she has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Two-year-old Poppy was nominated in the carer of the year category, by proud mum Louise who is astounded by just how quickly the toddler has grasped that her older sister Emily is a little different.
Poppy’s nine-year-old sister suffers from Goldenhar syndrome, a birth defect which involves deformalities of the face, and Emily also has had numerous other problems since she was born including epilepsy, global developmental delay and hypermobility.
Emily is still very behind in her speech, there are a couple of words which she understands such as mummy and daddy, but you can’t have a converstion with her.
Louise said: “Poppy has become a great little carer for Emily, especially since she started talking.
“She supports Emily with everything, from helping her to go to the toilet to feeding her. Because of Emily’s developmental delay, she sometimes forgets to do basic, everyday tasks, but Poppy is always there to remind her.
“Poppy will say ‘come on Emily let’s go potty’ and they’ll go and sit next to each other on their potties.”
Louise describes Poppy as being so bright and clever and as two-going-on-ten, she will even tie Emily’s shoes and help her get dressed.
Emily’s range of problems cause her to have trouble with her speech, eating and she is not very mobile. But Poppy will help her in any way she can, and even tries to push her round when she is in her wheelchair.
“As she gets older I know Poppy will continue to look after her sister, and get even better at it,” said Louise.
“She’s a lot more verbal than Emily and I know as she grows and becomes more intelligent herself, she will be teaching Emily plenty of stuff.
“She’s growing up into a strong little lady and will make a great carer some day.
“Because Emily can’t fight for herself, Poppy’s going to fight for her - I know if anything ever happened to me and my husband, Emily would be in safe hands.”
Louise believes that Poppy, who loves spending her time playing on her iPad with Emily, deserves this award because she’s different to other carers because she’s so young, and as she gets older she will be so proud of what she has done for her big sister.
Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle
