A BROTHER and a sister who are like a “second mum” and “best friend” to their disabled little brother have been crowned winners of a national award.
Bayleigh and Freddie Spencer from Solihull, lost their step-dad, Dan Wing, to renal cancer in 2019 and now help their mum, Kirsty Ford look after their eight-year-old brother Archie Ford, who has cerebral palsy, visual impairment and global development delay.
Archie, who has a twin sister called Evie, is doted on by the older two.
Freddie rushes home to find him after school so they can run around and play together, while caring 12-year-old Bayleigh helps with his meds and physiotherapy.
Now Bayleigh and Freddie have been named Young Siblings of the Year by disability charity Sense, in recognition of all the love and time they give Archie, who became disabled after catching bronchitis as a tiny baby and going into cardiac and respiratory arrest.
The Sense Awards, now in its 21st year, is the charity’s annual celebration of people with complex disabilities and those in their lives that support them.
The pair were chosen by a team of disabled judges, including singer-songwriter Joe Kenny, influencer Shelby Lynch and the first blind female fitness instructor Jaina Mistry as winners for their category.
Kirsty, who is Archie’s full-time carer, is proud of the resilience all her children have shown and is delighted to see 11-year-old Freddie and Bayleigh honoured — she says she couldn’t manage without their support.
The pair, she says, have never fussed about missing out on cinema trips or having beach visits cut short because family days out must fit in with Archie’s needs.
The outdoorsy two love letting off steam at a monthly siblings group run by Sense and have made lots of friends with other young carers while climbing, rafting and go-karting.
Kirsty said: “Bayleigh and Freddie work so hard with Archie and give him so much of their time.
“Unless you live this life, you don’t realise how much siblings give to their disabled brothers and sisters. A family that hasn’t got a child with extra needs can go and do whatever they want. Whereas everything we do, we factor Archie into it.
“There are certain things, like going to the beach, that Archie will only tolerate for short periods. The others would happily stay all day, but when I say, ‘We have to go because I can’t keep your brother calm any more,’ there’s never been an issue.
“They help constantly with Archie, putting him in his wheelchair in the mornings or sorting his breakfast. If I need to make dinner, I know one of them will keep an eye on him and make sure he’s ok. Bayleigh is like Archie’s other mother and Freddie is like his best friend. It’s brilliant and I couldn’t do this without them.”
Bayleigh said: “I was really surprised to win, but it makes me feel really good that people think that I’m a good sister.
“I love Archie lots. I enjoy playing horses with him and dancing around to music because it makes him smile and laugh and that makes me happy.
“When he is sad or upset, I do whatever I can to cheer him up because I will do anything to make him happy.”
Freddie said: “Winning the award has made me feel really happy and proud of myself.
“I really like being able to help my mum look after Archie because he is so special to me. He is my best friend and I love it when he comes home from school and gives me big hugs.”
Richard Kramer, chief executive at Sense, said: “It’s wonderful to be able to recognise Bayleigh and Freddie at this year’s Sense Awards. The love they show their little brother, Archie, and the way they constantly help their mum care for him is deeply moving.”
