Rachel Murphy, from Oldbury, was recognised by Epilepsy Action for the exceptional support she provided for her son Jack, who was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year.
She was nominated by her son, who praised her unwavering support during his diagnosis.
Jack said: “I was a normal 18-year-old, enjoying my first year of university.
“Then, suddenly, I had my first seizure in March of this year.”
He described the series of unpredictable seizures and how his world changed drastically.
“It came as a huge shock to me,” he said.
“My independence fell more by the day. My friends didn’t want to go out with me because they were scared I’d have a seizure.
“But through all of this, my mum was there for me.
“She never missed a beat.”
Although she is 150 miles away in Oldbury, Jack said she was always there for him, answering his late-night calls and liaising with healthcare professionals.
He said: “She’s made every call, chased every answer, calmed every panic, and never once made me feel like I’m too much.
“She’s never treated this condition as something I’m facing. She’s taking it on with me.”
On receiving her award, Rachel said: “I don’t feel I deserve it because I’m doing what any parent would.
“When situations change, you change with your child.”
Having only been diagnosed with epilepsy recently, Jack is still adapting to the sudden changed in his life. He said that Epilepsy Action’s services have been a vital part of this.
Epilepsy Action is dedicated to bettering the lives of people with epilepsy and provides a national network of support groups, with expert advice available on its freephone helpline 0808 800 5050 and online at the Epilepsy Action website.