Having a sibling is one of the most important relationships you can have. Yes your brother or sister can drive you crazy at times but having that special bond can mean you have a close friend, someone to look out for you and share lots of inside jokes with (about mum and dad!!). Research shows that having a good relationship with your sibling/s can lead to happiness later on in life too and can also help your physical health.
When Rozee met Luc, who is twelve years old, we were very impressed with how much he is willing to do in honour of his brother Marc, who is one year older.
Tell us about your “Making a difference” PEAC project?
At the start of the year we had to come up with an idea for our “Make a difference” PEAC project for school. We could either choose something to make a difference to ourselves, try to change something that we think isn’t right, make a difference in the community or fundraise to make a difference. My mum gave me the idea to do something for Marc, my older brother who has CF. He doesn’t always remember to take his enzymes or take them with him, so mum and I thought about designing enzyme containers that are easier to carry around and that we could also sell and fundraise for CFWA.
I came up with a design for the containers and have called the project “Marc’s 65 Roses”. I called it that because my mum told me about the 65 Roses story where the little boy overhears his mum talking and he thinks she is talking about “65 Roses” but she is actually talking about “cystic fibrosis”.
Mum helped me order the enzyme containers and I used my birthday money that I have been saving for about nine years to pay for them. I had to do speeches in front of the class about the project and also make a display for my final presentation.
I am advertising the containers through a Facebook page that my mum set up called “Marc’s 65 Roses” and I had a display stall at Great Strides. I have 3000 containers to sell and my goal is to raise $6500.
What’s it like having a brother who has CF?
I worry about him, especially when he gets admitted to hospital. I look out for him because he’s smaller than me. I sort of take on the big brother role and make sure he’s doing his physio. But I don’t know any different and to me it’s just normal.
It’s amazing what you have achieved so far, what are you up to in the future?
Next year I will be in high school and I am going to be doing the Gifted and Talented program there. It’s like PEAC but in high school. I will have to catch the train there which will be a big thing for me.
Interview from Rozee, 2016.