"It's Just a Window" Book Launch

As Generation ‘Y’ increasingly share their lives with the world through the medium of status updates, blogs, video logs, and profiles, fifteen year old Stephanie Bettens has had a different approach.

Amidst her schooling and social life, Stephanie has spent years writing an autobiographical account of her life and her family, but in particular, her younger brother Todd who has been diagnosed with Autism. Capturing the impact of Autism on the Bettens family, the book titled ‘It’s Just a Window’, is an exceptional account of not only the difficulties and challenges Stephanie and her family have overcome, but of the humour and the comicality of the antics of fourteen year old Todd. Similar to thousands of young people in Australia, Stephanie is a Young Carer; a young person who maintains a caring responsibility of a family member who may have a disability, mental illness or is frail aged.

North & West Metro Respite & Carelink and UnitingCare Wesley Bowden have been working with Stephanie and her family for the last 12 months, enthusiastically turning her dream of having her book published into a reality. The book will find its way into schools,  organisations, and into the public eye to increase awareness of Young Carers. Staff who work closely with Young Carers at North & West Metro Respite & Carelink are aware that there are many young people in South Australia who have large caring responsibilities and the book will naturally become an  opportunity for unidentified Young Carers to pick up the book and realise ‘This is me, I care for  s omeone too’ and will use the details provided to seek appropriate assistance”.

 A  member of the ‘Plan B’ Young Carers Program, Stephanie Bettens together with North & West Metro and UnitingCare Wesley Bowden hosted the official “It’s Just a Window” Book Launch on the 28th May 2009 at the Adelaide Sailing Club, West Beach. The launch gathered over 80 attendees consisting of The Bettens Family and Friends, Service Providers, Young Carer Representatives and Young Carer Ambassadors. All of which were able to enjoy canapés and beverages as the sun set over West Beach complimenting the orange and chocolate decorations and displays also featured on the book.

The next stage of the campaign is to distribute “It’s Just a Window” into secondary schools and to relevant organisations to promote the notion of ‘Young Carers’ and respite and support services available. Accompanied by a Reader’s Guide which will work with the book to provide comprehensive information about Young Carers will be available and ready to mail-out in late June.

We would like to congratulate Stephanie and her family on the success the book has generated and we would like to thank all of the supporters, service providers, young carers and attendees of the official launch.