On 4th December, it would be Ila’s 27th birthday. Tragically she died at just 21 years old.

Ila suffered from the disease of addiction. She had been clean and sober for 9 months, achieved great A level results and was just about to leave for Leeds Uni when she suffered a massive seizure at her (sober) leaving party. At aged 19, this led to a diagnosis of a Grade 2 brain tumour which required surgery, the temporary loss of movement in her left arm and hand, the prospect of a life time of seizures, multiple brain surgeries as the tumour would continue to grow back, radiation and chemo….

Ila was so brave and uncomplaining - but her future was terrifying and overwhelming. The medicines she was prescribed for her epilepsy were addictive - as her anxiety increased over her seizures which were increasing in frequency, so too did her dependence on the anti-seizure meds. We did not understand how addictive these medicines were - not even her neurologist fully understood this.

Ila was scared; she knew she was taking over three times the maximum prescribed dose. She understood too that she would have to go into a medical facility to be helped to reduce the volume of pills she was taking which would, in turn, cause an increase in the short term of her terrifying, painful and exhausting seizures. But she was determined to do this, to get well and to live her best life for as long as she had.

Tragically she died from an accidental overdose the night before going into treatment. She had packed, got herself ready to go the next morning, but her poor body could not handle any more.

Ila despised the stigma around addiction. She always said that no one aspires to become an addict - it is a chronic mental health illness but “recovery” is possible with a huge amount of courage, willingness and lifelong commitment. Successful recovery needs a lot of love and understanding.

Ila was loved for her sense of fun, her wicked humour, the love she showed her friends, her huge heart and capacity to love. So why the T-shirts….?

The Boobs T-shirt is Ila’s plan to make her own version of the Vivienne Westwood/Sid Vicious design - she had one and wore it around school, out in the street etc - anywhere to shock and amuse. She took a photo of her own boobs for the design!

The LoveHearts T-shirt reflects Ila’s desire to design her own adult version of the iconic sweet with her messages on them, not the sickly sweet messages that the manufacturer uses.

Both T-shirts were brought to life by three of Ila’s amazing friends - @Atlanta Thompson, @Lilly Mann and @Genie Granville who created the look and feel of these shirts. Huge thanks as well to @Lucy Rocheford for providing action shots in the t-shirts. I worked with Young Epilepsy on the guidelines for seizure support - a lot of people suffering from addiction additionally experience seizures. Ila wanted everyone to know how to help a vulnerable person having a seizure.

In recognition of Addiction Awareness week - and to celebrate Ila, her birthday and the love she brought into so many people’s lives, we hope you will support this by donating £20 in the link, 100% of which goes to the charity as our family has donated the printed T-shirts.

They are a limited edition!! So exclusive….!! Please buy whilst there is stock. And help support a vital charity, proudly support people suffering from addiction and help end the stigma.

See the link in the bio.

https://forms.gle/sdpb1e3MCH8N9c5X7

With love and thanks from us all,

Scheckter family