This year I am running the Great North run to raise funds for Brody and his family.

Brody’s parents are real life super heroes and never fail to amaze me. Charlotte, Brody’s mam was first a client, but now a friend. She is the strongest, most resilient person I know, and has given up her career as a primary school teacher to provide the full time care that Brody needs. Please take some time to read Brody's story.

Brody and his identical twin Myles were born premature at only 33 weeks in April 2021. After a rocky start for him, they were both discharged as healthy after 24 days. Brody began to struggle feeding and after numerous trips to the GP and the hopital, he was admitted for observation in August. It was following this admission that Brody's Mam was told he had suspected brain damage. His feeding completely deteriorated and at 5 months old he had an NG tube fitted. The following February, after numerous trips to A&E, Brody was finally given an EEG and was diagnosed with infantile spasms, a rare and extremely dangerous form of epilepsy. As part of this diagnosis, Brody had an MRI which showed how badly damaged his brain really is. The vast majority of it is cerebral fluid. In October 2022, he underwent surgery to have a MicKey button fitted that allowed him to be fed directly into his stomach. The months that followed were a battle to keep his seizures under control, with 5 different medications being used simultaneously at one point, to no avail. In September 2023, he was officially diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a form of epilepsy that is characterised by having more than 4 different types of seizure, and the inability of medication to fully control it. This diagnosis meant Brody became eligible for medical grade CBD which has made a significant difference to his seizure activity- they are not completely gone but they are definitely reduced. Brody was also diagnosed in 2023, as being sight impaired, which will be updated to severely sight impaired when be turns 5.

The funds raised will initially be for the down-payment on a WAV- a wheelchair accessible vehicle- which will allow them to transport Brody safely and easily. Brody’s family are also raising funds for house adaptions to allow Brody to live comfortably and with dignity, at home where he belongs.