99 - Buying a sleep alarm for a child at risk of seizures - November 2022




One of our members told us about Donna & her family.  Her son Samuel, who is now nine years old, had a brain stem stroke at 18 months old which left him with hydrocephalus, a weakened side and facial palsy.  He also has epilepsy. 


On a recent family holiday in a remote field in Norfolk, Samuel had a massive seizure in the night and the ambulance took 19 minutes to get to them. It was very traumatic for the whole family, particularly as Samuel's 13 year old sister and dad witnessed it too. He has had seizures before but not to this magnitude.

Not surprisingly, the family have all struggled to sleep as a result.  Donna has spent night after night watching Samuel while he sleeps, paranoid of a repeat seizure. Our member told us how much a night time sleep monitor/ seizure detector would help the family feel able to sleep, knowing they would be alerted to any issues overnight.  We all know the importance of sleep - and it was our absolute pleasure to sent the family £500 to buy this alarm.

Donna and her family say a huge thank you: 'it's amazing - the alarm means I am now sleeping more'.

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