Jake Bradley Smith was born on 1st November 2012.

At 4 months old, he had his first prolonged seizure lasting 45 minutes. Two weeks later he had another prolonged seizure which led to another hospital admission and many tests including 2 lumbar punctures, an EEG, and an MRI. Over the next few months many more seizures followed and in July 2013 he was diagnosed with Epilepsy. However his consultant was still convinced he had a much more complex condition, he pushed for the test which around Jakes 1st Birthday came back with the diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome. Throughout his first year of life he had many hospital stays and tests but he was an inspiration to us all and was always giggling and happy. We had so many exciting adventures as a family, Scotland, Lanzarote and Disney World Florida, which was the most wonderful holiday and Jake along with his Brother George and Sister Olivia enjoyed every minute.
The week leading up to losing Jake we had such a fun packed 􀆟me, trampolining, going out for tea, Jake’s cousin Frankie’s 1st Birthday and on Saturday the 17th of December we went to visit Father Christmas at the Rock Church in York, then tea at Oscar’s which was a favourite place for us to visit as a family, followed by a lovely evening at home
watching him play, climb and giggle lots. That night he went to bed so very happy and he sadly didn’t wake up the following morning due to a seizure which was to be too much for him (SUDEP‐Sudden unexplained death in Epilepsy). He had being so well and we had no way to predict this would happen.
We now have an idea to build a tree house in Jakes memory at the front of Robert Wilkinson School in Strensall. We are hoping to raise at least £25,000 for Jake's tree house with any excess being divided equally between Dravet's Syndrome UK and York Inspirational Kids. .