Young caregivers 'exist in the shadows,' offer crucial help

Ronan removes a compression leg sleeve from his father Rupesh Kotiya as his mother Pandya looks on. Photos: AP

RONAN Kotiya leans over his father, fingers wrapped around a plastic tube he’s about to slide from a tracheostomy hole in dad’s neck.

"Three, two, one, go,” the 11-year-old says as he removes the tube. His mom slips a padded neck brace on her husband and lifts him into a sitting position on their bed.