Future Star nominee – Leah Gentile

Future Star nominee – Leah Gentile

Teenager Leah Gentile is working hard to fulfil her dream of becoming a vet alongside being a carer for her brother who has autism.

The 16-year-old, from Longton, recently passed all her GCSEs and is now studying animal management at Reaseheath College.

At home she supports her brother with his homework, mentors him through changes, eases his worries, reassures him about upcoming events, walks him to school and much more.

Leah has been nominated as a Future Star in the Your Heroes Awards by Chelsie Hughes, Young Carers Support Worker at North Staffs Carers.

Chelsie said: “Leah’s brother has recently been diagnosed with autism and Leah supports him quite a lot. Her brother can mask a lot of his symptoms at school meaning when he comes home he can have some emotional outbursts which can sometimes lead to him getting quite physical and Leah experiencing the brunt of this.

“Leah is fantastic with her brother and does all she can to support him. She is very understanding and compassionate and always considers others in everything that she does.

“Despite everything she can experience she is always happy, upbeat and speaks positively of her brother and caring for him.

“I am so proud of Leah as even though she has been dealing with such a lot at home and adjusted herself and life to support her brother she has grown so much in confidence and not only passed all her GCSEs but got into Reaseheath College and is working hard to make her dream of becoming a vet come true!”

Leah’s mum, Joy Batkin, said: “I’m really proud of Leah anyway and being nominated for a Your Heroes Award is just another pat on the back.

“She’s always lovely and gets on with everyone. She’s always been older headed and mature for her age. She’s very organised and likes everything to be done in an ordered way, which helps with caring for her brother.”