There are more than 2.65 million unpaid carers across Australia, an alarming one in nine people, however none put in more love and care than Mill Park’s Chris Stamatopoulos.
Chris, 51, looks after her 18-year-old son Stavros, who has autism, and requires help with tasks such as getting dressed.
An average day for Chris, who is also a special needs teacher’s aide, involves getting Stavros prepared for a day of school, taking him to appointments and after-school classes, and cooking his meals.
In 2018, Chris’s life changed when she migrated from Greece back to her home country, Australia.
The first couple of months living in Australia were challenging for Chris, where she found herself having to put her own stresses on the backburner.
“I felt so isolated and a bit lost without my family and friends close by, I worried about how Stavros would cope. He needs constant supervision because he does not have any sense of danger,’ she said.
The language barrier made it difficult for Chris to find a new job, meet new people and organise appointments for Stavros. Chris’ mental health started to deteriorate as she and Stavros adjusted to a new school and environment.
“It was really hard, especially because of his [Stavros’] age. He is now trying to understand and come to terms with his autism and he is dealing with puberty at the same time,’ she said.
“The role of being a carer and parent isn’t always easy.”
Chris receives support from Carer Gateway, a federal government program that provides free in person and online support, transport services, respite, and counseling and coaching services.
‘After my first conversation with Carer Gateway, they told me that counselling and respite services would best suit my situation. I received counseling from the comfort of my home and got help when I needed it the most,‘ she said.
Reaching out for support helped Chris prioritise her own well-being. Now, she understands the importance of self-care and taking the time to do little things for herself, like going for a walk or seeing a movie. ‘I was able to find joy again and started taking line dancing lessons, learning Italian, gardening and when I get the time, I love to teach others how to make jewellery,’ she said.
