Diane and Gemma - November 2025 Gemma's update - Life as a CODA

This video is part of the 'How does it feel for me?' video programme, following the journeys of people through health and care. CODA stands for Child Of Deaf Adult. In this video, Gemma describes her experience of being a CODA and the impact of caring for her parents.

- The video is only recording Gemma’s experience as a carer, and her challenges are often being assumed by services to act as an interpreter and personal carers without her agreement.
- Gemma feels frustrated that booking a BSL interpreter can delay medical appointments by weeks, even when the health concern is urgent.
- Gemma describes how balancing work and caring has been financially and emotionally draining, with earnings thresholds blocking access to carer's allowance.
- Gemma is affected physically and mentally by her caring role, having required CBT and counselling. She feels this support should have been identified much earlier, as she started caring as a young person.
- Gemma wants services to prioritise her parents' independence, contact deaf patients directly via accessible means like email, and routinely check in on carers' wellbeing rather than taking their availability for granted.

Also check out Gemma's other video, where she talks about the economic benefit of meeting the Accessible Information Standard and communicating in a way that her parents understand. https://youtu.be/gr15cQCIwgI

Видео Diane and Gemma - November 2025 Gemma's update - Life as a CODA канала Healthwatch Leeds