Published: Saturday, 27th June, 2009 4:10pm

Youngster takes caring seriously

by Emma Harrison

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AT 17 years old, Colin Antink combines A-level studies with caring for his mum - even though both suffer from Stickler"s Syndrome.

The Wokingham youngster is the latest person featured as part of the News" I Care campaign, which aims to raise the profile of carers in our area.

Stickler"s Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the sight, hearing and limbs. Describing the impact this has on his mother Lynne, Colin said: 'It causes her a fair bit of pain in her joints, she is registered blind and hard of hearing. She gets by with painkillers and a strong will!

'I have to guide her when we are out, especially when it is cloudy or even bright sunlight. Otherwise she is prone to colliding with things and if she fell, she wouldn"t get up on her own.'

'Able bodied people tend not to realise how much work and thought is actually involved in caring for someone 24/7, however little it may seem.'

Colin admits that this means he worries about things more than most other teenagers but adds that he still manages to enjoy a fairly normal life.

'Mum would never hold me back, anything I do for her I do willingly. We support each other as we have a unique bond a lot of other teenagers don"t have with their mums.'

'I also have Sticklers, which means I will lose my sight too, one day, and I wear two hearing aids. My own joints are very painful but I cope with pain relief and the same stubbornness as my mother!'