A young mother struck by a cruel disease has revealed how her two eldest children have been forced to grow up quickly and take on more responsibilities at home.
Corrina Farrell, 27, has five children under the age of 10 and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – a potentially debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord – which has left her struggling to get out of bed.
The disease affects vision, range of motion and cognitive functions and there is no cure. However, some medications and other treatments can help control the condition and relieve some symptoms.
Mrs Farrell’s two eldest children, Alora and Nixon, are only ten and eight years old, but now help care for their ailing mother and their three younger siblings while their father is away working on mining sites.
“My eldest daughter is so wonderful, she just picks the kids up, gets them ready, does their hair and sets up their lunchboxes,” Mrs. Farrell told The Project on Sunday evening.
‘My son, he arranges breakfast, it’s teamwork. It’s crazy, they’re loud, but their beautiful children make me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.”
Mrs Farrell’s two eldest children, Alora (left) and Nixon (right), are only ten and eight years old, but are now helping to care for their ailing mother and their three younger siblings, while their father is away to to work on mining sites
Corrina Farrell, 27, has five children under the age of 10 and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – a potentially debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord – which has left her struggling to get out of bed.
Shortly after the birth of her youngest daughter, Mrs Farrell received the devastating news that she was suffering from MS.
Mrs Farrell, who has a tattoo for each of her children, said on her worst days she can barely walk or get out of bed.
“It’s like a baby giraffe trying to walk,” she said.
“I tell myself I should walk, but my legs just won’t move.”
Alora revealed that her mother was often in the hospital and “falls a lot.”
Nixon said that at times his mother was “very tired and felt sick” and “just wanted to lie in bed all day.”
Alora and Nixon admitted that their younger siblings could be a handful at times.
“When they’re in a grumpy mood, sometimes they don’t listen and they can be a little brash,” Nixon said.
Mrs Farrell said her illness had affected the whole family and it was difficult to watch her two eldest children ‘effectively being parents themselves’.
“All I want back is just to be a parent,” she said, fighting back tears.
“I want to get them ready for school, I want to do their hair, I want to get them breakfast, I want to do all that.”
The heartbreaking story brought The Project Host Rachel Corbett to tears as she reflected on the brave children.
‘A“Everyone I’ve met in my life who had to grow up very quickly, very early, they are always the most exceptional, incredible people,” she said.
“They will grow up to be incredible, incredible people. They already are.’
The heartbreaking story brought The Project Host Rachel Corbett to tears as she reflected on the brave children
Mrs Farrell said her illness had affected the whole family and it had been difficult to watch her two eldest children ‘basically raising themselves’
Despite trying numerous types of therapy, Ms. Farrell continues to be in and out of hospital.
A trial of stem cell transplants to slow the progression of MS is now underway in Australia, but Ms Farrell was stunned to discover she was not eligible.
“It killed me, it absolutely killed me,” she said.
Ms Farrell said she was willing to travel to one of four countries where the new treatment was being trialled: England, Switzerland, Russia and Panama.
“There’s a chance it might delay it and I want that chance because I want to be there for my kids,” she said.
Bursting into tears, Mrs Farrell said: ‘I just want to be a mum’.
Mrs Farrell’s husband Beau said he was ‘proud’ of his wife.
Shortly after the birth of her youngest daughter, Mrs Farrell received the devastating news that she was suffering from MS
Mrs Farrell’s husband Beau said he was ‘proud’ of his wife (the couple are pictured together)
“I’m proud that she does her best every day, even when it’s hard,” he said.
Alona read a letter she had written to her adoring mother.
‘Dear mom, thank you for everything you do for me. You are the best mother in the world, I love everything about you. “I know some days you can’t get out of bed and that’s okay because I still love you,” she said.
“She means a lot to me and I love her so much,” Nixon said.
“I love her to Venus and back.”
Anyone who wants to help can donate to the family’s GoFundMe fundraiser here.
Despite trying numerous types of therapy, Ms. Farrell continues to be in and out of hospital