Sarah has dedicated herself to looking after her older brother Dan, 40, and younger brother Sam, who died from sepsis in 2019 aged 28.
Both were born with the genetic X-linked condition ATRX. Dan has learning disabilities, is non-verbal, uses a wheelchair and needs 24-hour support.
Here, Sarah tells us her responsibilities left her doubting she'd ever find The One...
'Growing up as the middle sibling to two brothers with profound and multiple learning disabilities has made me the person I am.
I was nearly seven when Sam was born and I loved him from the moment I met him. I was always scooping him up and giving him cuddles. Many parents experience grief when they have a disabled child but I didn't see any negatives - he was my perfect baby brother.
Unable to find any toddler groups suitable for disabled children and their siblings, my parents created their own. This meant I grew up surrounded by a high proportion of families with at least one disabled child.
I SAW HIM AS MY BABY
Dan is older than me, so disability has always been a part of my life. But Sam was younger than me and I always felt a maternal connection to him and saw him as "my baby". This continued throughout adult life too. Sam was always very small - he was only 4st when he died and the size of an eight-year-old. People often mistook me for his mum and I'd say, "I hope that's because he looks younger than he is, not because I look old!"
Even as a young child I was always so proud of my brothers. When Dan was supported to attend mainstream school aged nine, professionals were reluctant to let him go into my class, but I couldn't understand why they thought I wouldn't want him there. I loved introducing him to everyone.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 04, 2023-Ausgabe von New UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 04, 2023-Ausgabe von New UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
A STICKY SITUATION
Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film