This is Jesse. He’s 12 years old, and over the past year, he’s been through more than any child should have to face.

Jesse lives with focal epilepsy and cerebral visual impairment caused by brain damage at birth which has left scarring on both occipital lobes. Since July last year, Jesse was diagnosed with Epilepsy and since then he’s been having regular focal aware & tonic-clonic seizures—the kind where he goes stiff, stops breathing, turns blue. These are traumatic for him, and sad to witness. He now lives with the constant fear of the next seizure, and it’s taken away so much of his freedom. He used to love going out before epilepsy—now he’s afraid to leave the house. His world is getting smaller, and it’s heartbreaking.

He’s also dealing with the side effects of medication—exhaustion, brain fog, extra seizures, and emotional ups and downs. His seizures often leave him angry, scared, by fatigue and anxiety.

As his mum and only care giver, I’m doing everything I can—but it’s deeply concerning to see him like this.

We are working closely with his medical team, however we also know that Jesse needs more holistic, whole-body support alongside his rescue treatment as AEDs are not working for him—support that the NHS just can’t provide.

That’s why I’m fundraising—to get Jesse the additional care he so desperately needs.

We are currently looking to work with a functional doctor to help uncover triggers , support Jesse’s immune and nervous system, and address how his medication is impacting other parts of his body. This kind of support is costly—initial consultations can range from £250–£400, with follow-ups around £100–£150 per session. Testing, protocols, and personalised supplement plans are all extra.

In addition, we want to access other gentle, body-based therapies that can help Jesse feel safer and more regulated in his body, including:

Craniosacral Therapy (£50 per session) – to soothe his overwhelmed brain & nervous system, this will be monthly

Somatic or movement-based therapy (£60–£80 per session) – to support body awareness and integration

Vision therapy – to support his cerebral visual impairment, which impacts his confidence and coordination

Nutritional therapy & supplements (ongoing, £80–£150/month) – to support gut health, inflammation, and nutrient absorption (many epilepsy medications block key vitamins and minerals)

Right now, Jesse is scared. He often says he doesn’t feel safe in his own body. He’s tired, physically and emotionally, and no child should feel that way. I know there’s still so much light in him—but he needs support to help that light shine again.

If you can help us give Jesse the care he deserves, we would be so grateful.

Every donation—no matter how small—goes towards helping him feel more like himself again. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing his story so it can reach someone who can.

With love and thanks from the bottom of my heart,

Sonya (Jesse’s mum) & Team Jesse