I have 2 half brothers and 1 half sister. None of which I have ever met and not sure if I ever will. But I guess even if I don�t ever meet them they are part of my life, part of my family and a part of who I am.
I have a very close contact with my grandparents on my mum�s side and see them a couple of times a week. I have seen lots of them since I was very little because they used to look after me after school. We usually get on ok but it can be difficult sometimes. They find it hard understanding M.E. and don�t understand what I can and can't do. As I now don�t need looking after so much they are mostly used as taxis. They are now getting quite old and my granny suffers from arthritis and has a lot of trouble walking after she broke her ankle badly.
My granddad on my dad�s side died from lung cancer when I was about 10. This was caused by asbestos poisoning when he worked in the army. My grandma on my dad�s side I don�t see very often. She suffers Alzheimer�s disease and doesn�t remember who we are.
My cousins on my mum's side I see regularly. They are 17 and 19. We have always been pretty close and get on ok. They are more like brother and sister to me. At the moment the older one is living with us until she gets a place in college next September.