Jake is our son. He is 21 years old.

He should be building his future, gaining independence, and enjoying life like other young adults. Instead, we are watching him slip further away from us — and we feel powerless to stop it.

From a very young age, we knew something wasn’t right. Jake struggled in ways we couldn’t fully explain. Over the years, his condition became more severe — overwhelming anxiety, obsessive–compulsive behaviours, rigid thinking, and increasing loss of independence.

But in the past few years, things have become much worse.

Jake now struggles daily with basic functioning. He experiences severe distress, and he has lost much of the independence most of us take for granted. One of the most heartbreaking parts has been the loss of dignity caused by ongoing incontinence — something no young adult should have to endure.

We have spent years searching for answers.

And finally, we found one.

Jake has been diagnosed with blocking folate receptor autoantibodies — meaning his immune system is attacking the way his brain receives essential nutrients. His brain is, quite literally, being deprived of what it needs to function.

This condition is serious. It is progressive. And without the right treatment, it can continue to take more from him.

Why we are asking for help

Despite finally having medical answers, we have been unable to get Jake the treatment he urgently needs through the NHS.

We submitted a formal complaint in July 2024 — it is still unresolved

We applied for treatment in February 2026 — we are still waiting

Meanwhile, Jake is getting worse.

Every delay has a cost — and that cost is our son’s health, his dignity, and his future.

⚕️ The treatment that could change everything

Jake’s doctors have recommended plasmapheresis (therapeutic plasma exchange) — a treatment that removes the harmful antibodies attacking his brain.

This treatment is already used for other autoimmune neurological conditions and offers real hope for people like Jake.

For us, it represents something we haven’t had in a long time:

Hope that Jake could get part of his life back.

⏳ Why this is urgent

We cannot keep waiting.

We are watching our son decline while stuck in a system that is too slow to respond. We don’t know how much more he can lose before treatment is finally given.

As parents, that is something no one should have to face.

Our goal: £30,000

We are trying to raise £30,000 to fund:

Plasmapheresis treatment

Specialist medical care

Travel and support during treatment

This is our chance to act now — instead of waiting while Jake gets worse.

From our family to you

This is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do.

As parents, all we want is to help our son. To see him smile again. To see him regain his independence. To give him the future he deserves.

We are fighting for Jake — but we cannot do this alone.

If you can donate, share, or simply help us spread the word, it would mean more than we can ever express.

Thank you for reading our story.

Thank you for caring.

Thank you for giving Jake a chance.

❤️