Donate to support Jethro Barry

No one in life plans for their worst nightmare. Even if we plan for unexpected events, you would never imagine that from nowhere, something like this could happen to you.

One minute life is blossoming from your efforts, only a few months away from your 40th, with so many plans and dreams ahead, and the next minute, the unimaginable devastates everything you have worked towards.

In early March 2025, my Brother Jethro became unwell with unusual symptoms of headache, dizziness, and extreme fatigue. Jethro previously had never had ill health, with no pre existing health conditions whatsoever. After seeing the GP and multiple trips to the Hospital for help, these unexplained symptoms became critical and things went from bad to worse .. to horrific.

Jethro collapsed at home. His body was increasingly affected as his symptoms became more aggressive, finally declining into complete paralysis throughout his lower body, legs & feet.

After a traumatic time in A & E, fighting for needs to be met; CT Scans, MRI and Lumbar Punctures. We were told it was a suspected Rare Neurological Auto Immune Disease, that had begun to attack his Spine and Central Nervous System. After 3 days in A & E waiting for a bed on the Neurological Ward, the disease had then begun to also spread to his hands, arms and vital organs. He was finally admitted and transferred immediately to the Intensive Care Unit.

Within 15 minutes of admission the ICU team started the implantation of a tube into the neck to begin urgent Plasma exchange treatment. Jethro had to have this treatment for up to 4 hours each day for 6 days.

After almost a week of this intense Plasma Therapy, lots of IV steroids, additional tubes, and while still experiencing some violent symptoms, taking a huge toll on his body, Jethro continued fighting and he finally and thankfully became stable. Still at this time left without feeling in his lower body.

After 8 days Jethro was able to come out of ICU and is now currently on the Neurological Ward, at the Royal Sussex in Brighton.

This experience alone has been totally overwhelming to navigate for them and the rapid pace at which it has unfolded, left little time to process everything.

Jethro has initially been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis-Optic Syndrome which is a characteristic feature of NMO, leading to a highly likely cause of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder ; NMOSD, otherwise known as NMO.

NMO is an extremely rare Auto Immune Disease that primarily attacks with simultaneous inflammation and demyelination of the Optic Nerve and the Spinal Cord, leading to vision loss and paralysis. Data from NHS England suggests that only 1000 people in England have been diagnosed with NMO and an estimated 90% of cases will experience relapsing attacks.

The damaged caused with each attack/relapse can be cumulative, causing damage to the myelin sheath and leading to lesions that often extend along several vertebral segments. Thankfully Jethro has retained his sight, but the spinal cord damage is significant.

Going forward managing relapses, preventative ongoing treatments and immune suppressant medication will be vital to avoid further damage.

This will involve adapting to a new reality for the family and making necessary adjustments to ensure the best outcome possible.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neuromyelitis-optica/

We are still unsure of what final diagnosis, recovery and prognosis will look like for the future. As each is not linear or clear. This severe attack has left Jethro paralysed from the waist down and unable to work for the foreseeable future.

Jethro had a fantastic job commuting every day to London and every bit of spare time was spent with his family, friends and establishing his own business.

Jethro and his fiancé Sam were childhood sweethearts, they bought their first home together, got a dog and had their beautiful Son in 2022. Sam is currently pregnant, and they’re expecting a Baby Girl in July 25.

They have both worked incredibly hard to build a wonderful life together. Instead of a time that should be filled with joy, they are faced with the devastation that the rapid onset of this disease has bought. Not just physically, but emotionally and financially too.

Sam has not left his side in hospital. Our amazing families and friends are all pulling together to provide a strong network of care, support and encouragement.

The road ahead will require a strong focus on Jethro's recovery and we hope that this support will eliminate external stressors providing time to heal together as a family, with the joy of their new arrival imminent.

So let’s do all we can by raising some funds to make this life shattering event, as comfortable as possible for Jethro and Sam, but most of all their children.

Jethro is so loved and admired, throughout his life, far and wide, in anyone’s life he has touched. I have never met a person that didn’t feel the same about him. He is the most genuine, loving, loyal, thoughtful, helpful and generous person, who is always the first to help anyone for any reason, big or small, who would be the first there for anyone in need.

However heartbreaking and devastating this is, Jethro and Sam are the pillar of strength to each other, and have remained positive and grateful throughout. Jethro is so brave and is just the strongest person I know.

Jethro & Sam are such a proud, hard working team and I know this is far from easy or natural for them to accept this support. Yet there are so many of us waiting with our love for them, and are wanting to show that in support during this devastating and traumatic time. We’re so grateful to have this space to be able to help in that way and any and all help I know will be greatly appreciated.

Jethro is an inspiration and is showing some really positive signs so early on. He will be in Hospital over the coming months for recovery, Physio, and rehabilitation, while he heals and navigates through this next fight to get back on his feet.

Jethro will be concentrating on his recovery in hospital and won’t be keeping track of this page for now. Just knowing all of your support, love and well wishes are there will mean so much to him and the family during this time. Jethro will be deeply touched to welcome the moment he is well enough to return home and can thank you all himself.

This platform requires you to start with a target, financially we’re unsure at this stage what recovery will entail long term. We’re already being advised of some of the best specialist NMO consultants to look at all treatments available. We want to give Jethro the best medical care and recovery plan that is possible.

We will update Jethro’s journey as it progresses.

You’ve got this Jethro! We are all behind you and we’ve never been more proud ❤️