Jandark ’ s Story
Jandark became a mother at 18 . First came a daughter , Dina , and then a son , Kristian . Dina was a healthy baby girl , but at three-months-old Kristian was diagnosed with a serious heart condition .
This was back in the family ’ s mother country , Iraq . Jandark and her husband ( from whom
10 | The Caring Way she is now separated ) took their young family to Jordan , seeking the specialist medical help that Kristian so desperately needed .
“ In 2013 when Kristian had his first surgery , the doctors said he might not be able to walk or talk afterwards , and that he might have some comprehension problems . And then he had a second surgery . And he can walk and talk , he is a very smart boy ,” says Jandark .
Now , Australia is home . The family of three found asylum in Melbourne in 2021 and have been settling in to a new and different life – one where Jandark and the children are safe and have freedom and independence . Kristian is able to receive world-class care for his condition through the Royal Children ’ s Hospital .
Dina is 14 and Kristian is 12 and both go to a nearby school . The children quickly picked up the English they needed to get by , and Jandark is learning too . The family attend church together when they can and are slowly making social connections .
But with no family around , life is hard . Kristian ’ s heart condition means being his carer is Jandark ’ s first and main priority . He cannot be left alone and often has to come home from school to rest , with Jandark estimating he is only able to attend 50 per cent of the time .
Like many children in families where someone needs to be cared for , Dina is also a carer for Kristian . When he is very unwell , Jandark stays up caring for him overnight and Dina caring for him during the day , while Jandark rests . With Kristian needing to see a doctor on weekly basis – and sometimes even more often – keeping up with his medical appointments is an enormous task .
One day , Jandark would like to complete a baking or pastry-making class so she can start a catering business from home . Dina hopes to be a paediatrician and Kristian dreams of a career in interior design .