Get to Know Lua

Welcome back to YC Bytes!

In this episode, we meet Nina – our host for season 2 – and get to know Lua, a young carer and artist studying Fine Arts/Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies at the University of NSW. Listen to Lua and CEO of Carers NSW, Elena Katrakis, chat about Lua's caring role, passion for art, the achievements she is most proud of, and more!

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email yc@carersnsw.org.au.

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

Transcript

Lua:
I think often it's easy to be defined by your caring role. Obviously, part of your role is to be a young carer, but it doesn't define you. You can still have a life and be your own person outside of your caring role.

Nina:
Welcome to season two of YC Bytes, a Carers NSW podcast series focusing on young carers. My name's Nina, and I'm excited to be your host for this season.

Lua:
On behalf of Carers NSW, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of country on which we live, learn, and work. We acknowledge the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pay respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of today.

Natalie:
In this series, you'll be hearing the voices and stories of young carers. In New South Wales, young carers are children and young people aged 25 years and under, who help care for a family member, partner, or friend, living with a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who is frail.

Nina:
It's awesome to be involved in this project as I work in TV and radio, and I love sharing stories through audio. But I'm also a young carer, and I've been caring for about the last six or so years. Throughout this podcast series, our aim is to raise awareness in the community about young carers, as this is a group of people who are often not recognised or understood. Identifying young carers, or supporting young carers to identify themselves is important as it allows these young people to access support.

Last season, we focused on some of the key milestones and transition points in a young carer's journey; things like moving through school, gaining independence, and establishing their career. You can catch up on season one by searching for YC Bytes in your favourite podcast streaming platform like Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

We're excited to continue the conversation as we chat with young carers and other guest speakers about how supporting a loved one has shaped and influenced career choices, hobbies, or passion projects. There are so many skills and strengths that are gained through the caring experience. I know for me, it has definitely developed my resilience, my independence, my communication skills, and my resourcefulness. We hope YC Bytes will strengthen your connection with, and understanding of young carers and we invite you to consider how you can better recognise and support young carers in your family, classroom, workplace, or local community.

This season, each episode will highlight the stories and experiences of young carers. We have a wonderful line up of guest interviews and speakers, and we'll introduce you to each of them as the season progresses.

In this episode, we get to know Lua. Lua will be interviewed by Carers NSW CEO, Elena Katrakis. Lua is a young Wiradjuri woman who grew up on Darug country, and she cares for her younger brother who lives with disabilities. Lua is a Fine Arts/Arts student majoring in Indigenous Studies at the University of NSW.

Elena:
So Lua, welcome.

Lua:
Thanks, Elena.

Elena:
I've known Lua really over a number of years. We've done lots of different community gigs and events together. Lua has come and spoken at those events, and really flown the young carer flag. It would be great for you, Lua, I think, and for everyone, if you could start off our fabulous conversation today and tell us a little bit about yourself and your caring role, and what types of things you do to support your brother.

Lua:
Yeah. I mean, I think it's a bit of an interesting question because I guess, for me, my caring role has changed over time. At the moment, I'm not living at home anymore. But when I was living at home, I guess, my caring role as my brother's secondary carer encompassed a lot of different things, including bathing, feeding, administering medication, picking up medication, attending appointments, driving. To an extent, I still do those things, but I guess just in smaller amounts, when I am at home and my mum does need that additional support. I mean, I guess, a little bit about me. I love art. I've always loved art, and that's one of the things that I'm really passionate about.

Elena:
Lua, there's lots of things that you do, and I think it's important for us to get to understand and know you a little bit more to get behind, I suppose, what motivates you, what drives you, and all of the different things that you're involved in, but also how being a young carer might've influenced some of those things that you do, or maybe enhanced some of the skills that you have, as a result of being a young carer. I thought maybe we might start off with just a bit of a question to understand you as a person. Why don't you tell us; what's your morning routine? How do you start your day?

Lua:
Well, that's a good question. I mean, I think it's different every day, just depending what I've got on. But I am by no means a morning person. If I had to say what the routine would be, every morning, pretty much the first thing I do is have a cup of tea. I need my caffeine as soon as I open my eyes. My kettle is next to my bed. It is not far. I literally will lay in bed, turn the kettle on, roll over, wait for it to boil, and then make my cup of tea, and sit in bed, and drink it. That's every morning. And then, I guess depending on the day, it changes. But if it's a workday, usually I'll have my clothes ready for me already. I wear the same clothes to work every single week. The same outfit, a grey suit, very boring. I have that ready to go right on my bedside table as well, just to put on because I don't really want to think too much in the morning. I just get up and go straight into the office, and do nothing else.

Elena:
Sounds like you-

Lua:
That's a bit questionable. Yeah.

Elena:
But I think it sounds like you're very organised, and I think organisation, and having great organisational skills is often something that we see with young carers, because of all the things that they balance, and that they have to balance, so that's interesting for us to hear. We know how fantastic you are in the area of art. You did the artwork for our Reconciliation Action Plan, which was fantastic, and you've done many other pieces of incredible artwork. But could you tell us how you first became passionate about art?

Lua:
Yeah. I think it was one of the things that I just enjoyed from a really young age, and my great-grandmother was an artist, so I think I drew a lot of inspiration from her. And then growing up, I had always just found an interest in the creative arts. When I was little, I really enjoyed drama, and music, and painting, and drawing. From a really young age, my dad actually enrolled me in drawing classes, which I really enjoyed. And then that passion followed through with me into high school, and visual arts was one of my favorite subjects. I found so much joy in those studies. It was almost like a break from studying – it felt like, when I was working on my year 12 major work, which I don't think a lot of people would say, because it is a bit stressful at the time.

I just really enjoyed having the ability to have a creative outlet, and that's something that I still really enjoy. Yeah. I think the passion for art has always been there. It's just popped up in different ways. Now, I love being able to be an artist on the side of doing all my other work, because it continues to give me that creative outlet.

Elena:
The ease with how you bring those creative skills to everything that you do, I think is really amazing.

Lua:
Thank you.

Elena:
Just to, I suppose, dig a little bit deeper, Lua, could you maybe think of a time in your life that was quite challenging and think about, and tell us, how you overcame that challenge?

Lua:
Yeah. This is actually a really interesting question. I was thinking about this, and something that I don't really touch on that often. I think I've spoken a lot in the past about difficulties being a young carer, and difficulties at school with learning difficulties myself. But something I don't really touch on is the fact that I have really severe allergies. That's actually been quite a big challenge for me having both food allergies, and being allergic to different medications. It's interesting how it manifests in all different aspects of my life, and it's something that, I guess, as a young person, I didn't have to think about as much, because I always had my parents taking the reins, and cooking food that was safe for me to eat, and making sure that when we ate out, they were the ones, I guess, vetting all the food before I ate it. And then now, having that responsibility myself is quite challenging, and I think it's very underestimated how much it impacts people's lives.

Elena:
How do you manage that anxiety that might come from those interactions around food, and those different examples that you gave us?

Lua:
Yeah. I mean, I think for a little while there, it was a little bit of avoidance, and then I think I just had to test the waters again, and become more confident. Also, there's a lot of reviews online about places, and how well they handle different allergens. There's even apps where some restaurants put their menu on the app, and you can search what allergens are in all their dishes, which I think is really fantastic, so there's definitely ways around it. It's just finding ways where you can enjoy those things, like eating a meal with your friends without having the stress that comes with it from knowing that you have allergies.

Elena:
So arming yourself with the information?

Lua:
Yes.

Elena:
I think, also, things have changed so much over the years to have that access online, and digitally for that sort of information from restaurants and things like that really opens up, I think, those opportunities for people as well.

Lua:
Definitely.

Elena:
Fantastic. You mentioned before about your parents managing stuff for you when you were younger, in terms of the food allergies and all that sort of stuff.

Lua:
Mm-hmm.

Elena:
That leads me to my next question about, who has been your biggest supporter or your role model?

Lua:
Oh, I would definitely have to say my mum. Yeah, for sure. She's such an incredible woman. I'm one of six, so I've got five brothers and sisters, and three nieces, so she's got three granddaughters. She's just a superwoman, and she somehow manages to manage it all. I think I look up to her a lot, because she's so independent, and such a problem solver. When she was younger, she didn't really have the opportunity to go to school that much, because from a really young age, she actually cared for my grandmother, so she was a young carer for my grandmother from the age of three. She tells me stories about hopping up on a stool, so that she could be at the stove, and cooking my nan breakfast.

I think hearing stories like that of her challenges, and struggles as a young carer back in the day, when I guess the idea of a young carer wasn't really discussed or known is really interesting in the way that that's so heavily impacted her life, and her education, and how that hasn't let her, or how that hasn't impacted her as an adult, or she hasn't let it to an extent, as she is just so motivated to not let those things in her life hold her back. Yeah. I think having someone like that to inspire me is just... Yeah. What more could you ask for?

Elena:
That's right. I think, obviously, that kind of caring across all of those generations is, I think, something that's really interesting, because I think we know, and people have heard this kind of thing before. But at some time in your life, you're either going to be a carer, you're going to either be cared for. It impacts so many people's lives. We know that within Australia at the moment, there's 2.65 million carers. In New South Wales, there's around 850,000 carers, and of those, around 83,000 are young carers under the age of 25.

Lua:
I guess, I'd add to that as well. That would most likely be a gross underrepresentation of the amount of young carers, because a lot of young people don't identify or self-identify as carers.

Elena:
Yeah, absolutely. We know that caring is really prevalent, but also I think hearing about your mum, and your mum caring at such a young age, you also having that young carer role with your brother in your family. I think those qualities also carry through the generations as well. You said your mum was like a superwoman.

Lua:
Yeah.

Elena:
What do you think makes her a superwoman?

Lua:
Yeah. With my mum, she's like a superwoman to me, because she's so resilient. I think hearing her story, and what she's been through, and seeing her come out the other end of it, to me, makes her a superwoman. Her empathy for others, and her ability to just be so selfless in everything that she does, and how giving she is, and how much time she has for me and my siblings. I don't think I've ever felt like I've missed out, because I have so many siblings, or because I have a sibling with disabilities. She's never let that take up so much of her time that the rest of us miss out, which I think is just an amazing skill to be able to have, to juggle not only so many children, but also all of our commitments, and stay across all of the exciting things that are happening. I think that makes her a superwoman.

Elena:
Fantastic. I think they're probably qualities that we see a lot in carers, and particularly in young carers, that you've talked about with your mum. Can you tell us if there's any skills you've learned as a carer that you feel you now use, or apply in your life day-to-day?

Lua:
I think one of the main underestimated skills is just the ability to do admin. Admin is just very difficult in a lot of ways, even dealing with Centrelink, or NDIS, and even other places like dealing with the bank, uni enrolment – there's so much admin in life, and as a young carer, you learn those administrative skills very early on. For me, because my mum struggled with reading and writing, that was often something that I took on from a young age, even though I also had learning difficulties. It was interesting, because I had to navigate that with her, and we had to put our brains together, and work out how to do all of this administrative paperwork. And then as I've gotten older, I've even heard from uni support staff, "Oh, you're so across it. You're so on top of it." I think that's because from such a young age, I've always had to be. I think as well multitasking as a young carer, you get very good at learning how to juggle multiple commitments at once.

I'd be thinking in my head; I've got to do my assignment, then I've got to do this, then I've got to feed Landy, then I've got to go and do this, and then I've got to go pick up this, and then drop off my brother here, and then go there. Those skills, I think, especially in this day and age are so important, because we are living in such a rapid-paced society, and there's so many things that need to happen in such a quick amount of time. I think young carers almost have a superpower in the sense that they've learned those multitasking skills from such a young age.

And also empathy. I think it's such an underrated skill, and it really is such an important skill to have, and I think it helps you make your way through the world in such a more considered, and understanding way. I think that young carers should be putting on their resumes that they are young carers, and listing these skills as interpersonal skills that they have, because I think they're just as valid, or if not more valid than any skills that you'd learn in an entry-level job.

Elena:
Absolutely. And I think that that lived experience of care, that does manifest itself in those ways of those different skills which are so important to your life, no matter where you are, or what you do. I think it's really, really important. Could you tell us what personal achievement are you most proud of?

Lua:
I guess, for me, one of the big achievements that I still come back to is finishing high school, and going on to study at university, because that was something that my parents never got to do. Unfortunately, my siblings never got to do that either. I was really lucky to be able to have the opportunity to do that. I think, for me, it's not just an achievement for myself, but an achievement for my family, and the generations in my family that have come before me, that didn't have those opportunities, and have the ability to go on to study for, well, one, study in the first place, and then, two, go on to do further study.

I just think, I feel very proud that I get to carry on that legacy, and know that even though I'm the first in my family to go on to study at university, I won't be the last. It's definitely something that I'm proud of for myself, but I think I'm proud of it as well for my family, and what it means for us, and what it means for my parents. I know it means a lot to them as well, that they have been able to support me through this journey.

Elena:
You've done so many different things. There's the study side, and then there's the art side as well, because I think some of the achievements in the art world, and the things that you've done there have also just been incredible. I'm sure this also brings lots of pride –

Lua:
Yeah. Actually, a funny story on that. Obviously, when I did the Swans Indigenous Round Guernsey, I think, as you were saying, that impact for my family, I remember one of the really cute, and funny things that my niece Aubrey said to me. She was talking to my sister and she said, "Oh, aunty Lula," because that's what she calls me. She says, "Is she famous? Is she a famous artist?" My sister said, "Yeah. Yeah, you could say that," and she said, "So famous that people know that she has a niece named Aubrey?" I think in moments like that, I just think it's so clear, the impact that I'm having for the future generations in my family. I just thought like, if that doesn't sum up what the purpose is, I don't know what does.

Elena:
Beautiful. To end our conversation, do you have any advice for listeners who might be a young carer themselves, or who have a young carer in their life, what advice would you give them?

Lua:
I think if I had to give any piece of advice, it's that, often, as a young carer, you have these amazing skills of being selfless, and caring for others. But I think at some point, you begin to realise you can't pour from an empty cup, and you have to look after yourself, and you doing the things that are good for you, and are important to you is actually serving the people around you. You have to look after yourself, and do the things that you are passionate about. I think, often, it's easy to be defined by your caring role and think that, "Oh, as a young carer, that's my role, is to care," where your role isn't... Obviously, part of your role is to be a young carer, but it doesn't define you. You can still have a life, and be your own person outside of your caring role. I think that it's important that you do, because I think it allows you to actually be better at your caring role.

Elena:
I think that's fantastic words to finish on, because I think looking after yourself is so important, particularly for carers, and particularly for young carers, particularly for those young carers that don't necessarily see themselves as young carers. Important for them, I think, to recognise that they are carers, but also to seek that support, and to look after themselves.

Lua:
Yeah.

Elena:
Yeah. Thank you so much for sharing some of your story today with us, Lua.

Lua:
Thank you.

Elena:
It's been incredible, and I think lots of messages there for young carers, no matter where they are, no matter where they are in terms of their own caring journey, their own life story, there's so many different opportunities, and I think Lua has really illustrated those for us today. Thank you so much.

Lua:
Thanks for having me.

Nina:
What a great conversation between Elena and Lua. It was really interesting hearing about Lua's interest in art from a young age, and how art has been her creative outlet over the years. I also liked her point about her skills and strengths as a young carer being applicable to work, and adding these skills to our resumes. I had a similar conversation with another young carer in episode four of season one of YC Bytes, and we spoke about transferable skills and strengths from caring, and applying these to work. I agree, the skills I've learned as a young carer should be better recognised by employers. The story Lua shared about her niece was so sweet. Thanks so much to Lua for sharing your experiences.

You can visit the show notes on today's episode to learn more about young carer supports and services, and don't forget to subscribe to YC Bytes to be notified when the next episode airs in a few months’ time.

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by me, Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. Special thanks to our speakers, Lua and Elena, who contributed to today's episode.

Natalie:
Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in New South Wales. We provide information, education and training, research, resources, and a range of carer-specific programs and projects, to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information, please visit www.carersnsw.org.au or call 02 9280 4744.