Untold Stories: Children Stepping Up as Caregivers for Sick Relatives

Across the United States, an estimated 5 million minors are stepping up as caregivers for their sick or disabled relatives, a testament to the gaps in our nation's healthcare infrastructure. These 'little nurses' are often thrust into this role without warning or preparation, forced to take on responsibilities that far exceed their years.

Take the case of the author, who at just 11 years old was left to care for her mother after a botched spinal surgery. Her mother, a registered nurse herself, was discharged from the hospital in a neck brace and with a prescription for pain medication, unable to drive or perform basic self-care tasks. With no other family members available, the young girl was the only one left to feed, bathe and dress her mother during the long recovery process.