My name is Sarah and this story isn't about me like all the others. I'm 14 but for as long as I can remember my sister has been ill.
She used to faint and had lots of other health problems. I never really knew what was going on; I thought all big sisters were like that.
Sister in hospital
But it really affected my life. All the other girls were spending there days wondering who would ask them to the school disco, but I was wondering if my sister would get out of hospital soon.
My sister's been in lots of hospitals now, but she’s staying in one that I really like and will be there for a while now.
It's really friendly and everyone’s understanding, everyone including the patients and the other families! But my favourite part is how honest they are.
I go once a week with my family to talk about how we feel and what's going on, and it is really hard – I come out crying every week. But now I know the complete truth about my sister's medical position.
Bulimia and self-harm
At first when I heard she was bulimic and self-harmed I blamed myself and thought I should have noticed. But I now know that I did everything I could and it's going to get better now.
It's still really hard not having my sister at home. Her room seems really empty and holidays and special events aren't the same (sometimes she's not allowed out because she is a danger to herself), but I know this way she's getting better.
Fainting
And now I don't have to sit at home alone for an hour, just waiting to see if she's going to come back at all. That was torture, it was worse than having her at my school and watching her faint and fall down stairs and have to leave her and seem all alright.
I just wish she saw how stunning she really is. But now she's getting help I'm so proud of her.
Speak out
If you know anyone who is ill, you can talk to people about it, and don't be ashamed or worried that they'll think badly of you or the ill one, it really does help to talk.
And to people suffering; I hope you all know that there are people there that care so much about you, they'd swap with you if it meant you were happy and healthy.
This story may have been edited for editorial and confidentiality reasons only.
