Caring 11-year-old nominated for sibling award

Stanley has been nominated for the support he gives his sister, Dot

A caring 11-year-old has been nominated for a "Young Sibling of the Year" award for the help he gives his younger sister.

Stanley, from Sutton Coldfield, does all he can to help support and reassure his younger sister Dot, 8, who has a form of epilepsy and autism, his family said.

That has included holding her hand in public, walking her into school, and making sure she has her ear defenders and sunglasses.

The charity for people with disabilities, Sense, which organises the competition, said Stanley had "an emotional maturity most adults don't have".

Dot's condition first emerged a week after her second birthday, her family said, when she started having multiple seizures.

She ended up staying in hospital for six weeks and stopped breathing several times.

She was later diagnosed with a rare genetic form of epilepsy known as PCDH19, as well as autism and a sensory processing disorder, and she also suffers from anxiety.

The family said she found starting school difficult, so Stanley asked the headteacher for permission to walk her in through the junior school entrance and pick her up at the end of the day.

He also checks on her at break times and lunch times they said.

When she gets anxious he helps her by getting her to focus on her breathing, and at home they play video games like Minecraft together and do arts and crafts.

Sense also said Stanley started going to sessions in Birmingham 18 months ago, which it runs for siblings of children with disabilities.

Stanley always checks Dot has her ear defenders when she goes out

Stanley's mother, Lisa, said: "We see what he does to help Dot and think he's incredible, but when someone else recognises it, it's amazing."

Leah Marsden, who works for Sense's Siblings and Young Carers Group, said: "He is always observing and acting selflessly in everything he does.

"He is enthusiastic, kind and hilarious as well as a wonderful sibling to Dot."

Stanley will find out in November whether he's won the trophy.