Compiled
and edited
by Martin Flynn
the death of both parents."
Many youngsters do not talk about the illness with their parents, for
fear of upsetting them and most of the children said they did not want
their teachers to know and that they were not in a position to talk with
medical staff. This often left children with no one to turn to for information,
advice or support.
"Children and young people worry constantly about their parent's
illness," Helen Kay continued. "They watch out for the parent,
checking that they have taken their medication and also monitor their
own health so that they do not pass on any infection to the parent.
"Some worry that their parent may become ill suddenly when they are
out of the house and this can make it difficult for some young people
to attend school regularly or develop their own leisure activities.
"Some young people cannot talk about their parent's illness at all.
Memories are suppressed, or they just can't face thinking about it because
it is so scary."
Dr Vivienne Cree, of the University of Edinburgh, echoed this view: "Children
learn not to talk about their parent's illness. They are told to keep
it a family secret, in case of slagging off by other children or discrimination
by adults. There are simply no services available, and they are forced
to carry their burden of secrecy alone."
Meanwhile Body and Soul, the support organisation for children and families
affected by HIV, has been forced to move into temporary accommodation
following April's funding changes within the NHS to Primary Care Trusts.
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