Sense Awards 2024: Family Carer of the Year

Drawing of a star
Video with BSL and audio description

Bryanna Hewitson

The Family Carer of the Year award recognises a selfless carer who has made a huge difference in the life of their disabled loved one. 

10-year-old Bryanna has been helping care for her disabled mother since she was three. Mum, Nina, lives with a range of health conditions including endometriosis, fibromyalgia and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

The onset of the conditions coincided with Bryanna’s birth, so she has never known any different. Bryanna also supports Lucian, 8, who has additional needs that Nina attributes to ADHD, although the family don’t yet have a diagnosis.

Bryanna has created a ‘calming corner’ for Lucian with fidget toys and books that help him express his emotions when he’s unable to.

Bryanna and her family are supported by Sense.

Doodle of an orange star
Descriptive transcript of Bryanna's video

Mum and Bryanna are squeezed onto an armchair together. Bryanna is 10 years old and is perched on the armrest. Mum has her hand to her mouth in shock.
Mum: Are you serious? Oh my God.

Bryanna jumps off the chair in delight. We flash back to a few moments earlier. Mum is reading the contents of a big brown envelope on the chair with Bryanna beside her reading too.

Mum reading text: And the final question isn’t actually a question. In fact, it’s a secret that Team Sense has been keeping from you. We are-

Mum puts her hand to her mouth in shock.

Mum:  We are s-

Bryanna: I’ve won! Woo!

Bryanna raises her arm into the air, smiling, runs to get a teddy, and bounces around the room before sitting down again.

Mum: We are so proud to share that Brianna has won Carer of the Year at the Sense Awards.

Bryanna: I did it!

Mum is wiping away tears.

Mum: Yeah, you did, baby, because you’re awesome. And I am so very proud of you and just thank you for everybody at Sense for just seeing how wonderful she is and…

Bryanna: And both of you are crying!

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