**From Young Carer to Award-Winner: How Adversity Shaped a Cardiff Man’s Life and Legacy**
For many, childhood is defined by laughter on the playground and lazy afternoons, the biggest worry limited to what treats await at lunchtime. Yet for David Tanase-Constantin, growing up in Cardiff meant taking on responsibilities far beyond his years. At just six, David’s life changed dramatically when his mother received a devastating diagnosis: sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease is a serious, lifelong condition affecting red blood cells, which the NHS explains can result in painful episodes, increased risk of infections, and long-term complications such as anaemia and organ problems. For David, this not only brought fear and uncertainty but also ushered him into the complex, demanding world of being a young carer. Overnight, childhood innocence was replaced by the kind of duties most children are sheltered from.
Reflecting on the early days following his mother’s diagnosis, David recalls how he quickly became the ‘man of the house’. Living in a single-parent household, he found himself juggling medication schedules, coordinating mealtimes, and providing practical support around the home. Unlike his school friends whose main concern might have been schoolwork or friendships, David was quietly helping his mother in and out of bed, monitoring her health, and offering emotional reassurance as she processed a life-altering condition.
The hereditary nature of the illness meant David’s connection to it ran even deeper. Although he did not develop sickle cell disease himself, he found out he was a carrier—an aspect that will inevitably influence his future family planning. “Even if I don’t have it, I am a carrier, which means if my future partner is also a carrier, our child could inherit the condition,” he explained, highlighting the far-reaching ripple effects of genetic illnesses.
As he grew older, the weight of these responsibilities did not diminish. Instead, David found himself balancing his care duties with the pressures of school and the typical social demands of adolescence. “My social life was one of my biggest challenges as a young carer,” he shared. While his mother encouraged him to enjoy life beyond home, he struggled to leave behind the worry of her wellbeing. This constant anxiety sometimes cost him friendships and left him feeling isolated—a familiar theme for many young carers.
Trying to find a sense of self amid competing pressures, David admits he sometimes lost sight of his own identity. “I did so many things that my head got all squabbled. I didn’t know what the real goal was,” he reflects. Nevertheless, these experiences forged in him a resilience and maturity beyond his years—an ‘old soul’, as some might say.
David’s determination to build a brighter future saw him seeking help from Careers Wales. Though initially limited to odd jobs, he was introduced to The King’s Trust Get into Construction programme, where he gained hands-on training and, importantly, earned his CSCS licence—opening the door to official work on building sites. His commitment did not go unnoticed; five firms quickly expressed interest in bringing him onboard.
A proud milestone was sharing this success with his mother, whose joy exceeded even his own. Yet perhaps one of the most remarkable moments was still to come. David was nominated and later won The King’s Trust L’Oréal Paris Rising Star Award, a national honour celebrating young people who overcome barriers to secure employment or education. This led to a memorable visit to Buckingham Palace, where David met King Charles III and was celebrated among other young achievers at a grand awards ceremony attended by well-known figures.
Now, aged 21, David is balancing work on major construction projects with studies in criminology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He dreams of one day using his skills to invest in and build opportunities for others, especially young people facing adversity. Motivated to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, he hopes sharing his experience offers hope to others affected. “There is support and there is hope. If I can help even one person feel seen, that means everything,” he affirms.
David’s journey stands as a testament to the quiet strength found in adversity—and a reminder that behind every young carer’s sacrifices lies not just hardship, but also resilience and the power to inspire change.