\u201cShe\u2019d answer my calls at 2am when I couldn\u2019t sleep from side effects. She chased up consultants for answers and called wards I was in when I couldn\u2019t advocate for myself. She\u2019d be on the phone to the ward before I\u2019d even come round from a seizure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack is autistic and can struggle to advocate for himself sometimes, especially in unfavourable situations. His mum helps him find the right words to explain how he’s feeling and always truly understands what he means. <\/p>\n
Jack said: \u201cShe helped me get the diagnosis I needed, questioned treatment plans when they didn\u2019t feel quite right, pushed for my safety when I couldn\u2019t, and asked questions no parent should ever have to ask. Most of all, she believed me, at a time I felt incredibly unheard.<\/p>\n \u201cShe did all of this whilst keeping our home running \u2013 she was still working, parenting my other four siblings. I know she\u2019s worrying endlessly about me but she never lets it show.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon accepting her award, Rachel said: \u201cI don\u2019t feel I deserve it because I\u2019m doing what any parent would! When situations change, you change with your child. Whether they\u2019re 19 days, months, or years old, that never changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Having only recently been diagnosed with epilepsy, Jack is still adapting to the sudden changed in his life. He said that Epilepsy Action\u2019s services have been a vital part of this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learnt a lot about epilepsy and that acceptance is a huge key to freedom. I\u2019ve attended a New to Epilepsy Talk and Support group, and this has been so helpful.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt so alone, but the group allowed me to express my emotions to people who have been through it before, and they answered the questions that healthcare professionals can\u2019t answer. The helpline was also really useful for when I wanted to ask a question that was on my mind, but I didn\u2019t want to put pressure on the NHS.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathryn Hughes, from Epilepsy Action, said: \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to give the July Epilepsy Star Award to Rachel \u2013 she is a fantastic mum. Having a good support network is so important for people with epilepsy, and Rachel clearly goes above and beyond for Jack.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you to Rachel, and to all those who support people with epilepsy every day. Your unwavering support and care does not go unnoticed.\u201d<\/p>\n Epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK \u2013 and around 58,000 are living with epilepsy in the West Midlands alone. Epilepsy Action provides a national network of support groups, with expert advice available on its freephone helpline 0808 800 5050 and on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"TRUSTPILOT](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trust_Pilot_-_Web1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Obsessed](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wellnesswatch-whatsapppromoapp.png\")
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