Monique Maggi isn't your ordinary 15 year old.
The Busselton teenager is working hard to complete high school and is pursuing an acting career – a dream not unusual for a girl her age.
However, what is extraordinary is that she's doing this while being the primary carer for her mother Leeanne and her efforts have seen her recognised as a finalist in the 2015 Young People Who Care Awards.
Leeanne has multiple chronic medical conditions including bone cancer, heart disease, Lupus and diabetes and the responsibility falls to Monique to support her.
This includes giving her mum medication, dressing her preparing meals and doing the housework, grocery shopping and laundry.
At night she will often sleep on a mattress beside her mum's bed to assist her during the night and prevent falls.
Monique also regularly travels with her mum to Perth as she undergoes cancer treatment and this, coupled with her work as carer, means she is having to complete her high school studies at home.
However, it when asked about the care she provides her mum, Monique was incredibly humble.
"Everyone makes it sound like I'm doing this big thing like I'm giving up so much and doing so many things but I don't see it that way it's how it's always been," Monique told the Busselton-Dunsborough Mail.
"It's the two of us so we just look after each other."
My beautiful mother I am so lucky to have you there for me I don't know what I would do without you You have no idea...Posted by Monique Brooke Maggi on Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Her mum Leanne Maggi said they were two peas in a pod and she thought it was wonderful someone thought to nominate Monique.
"She's an angel, always caring and there when I need her," she said.
Monique said not many people understood the situation young carers find themselves and she wished more people knew about them.
"It is so amazing to have these young people who are so in love with their family members they would do anything for them," she said.
"I wish more people would research young carers and realise there are many young Australian children who look after their parents, siblings and family members.
"You don't have to be older to look after them just taking a coffee or making an effort to help for five minutes means so much you don't have to do all these drastic things."
The winners for the Young People Who Care Awards Ceremony will be announced at the State Theatre Centre of WA on December 8.
