“One day at a time”
Eight-year-old Nathan lives with complex epilepsy and severe global developmental delay. His seizures began at just three weeks old, and despite years of tests and treatments, his condition remains undiagnosed. He experiences seizures daily – often at night – and requires oxygen, monitoring, and continuous feeding through a PEG.
“Nathan’s seizures are unpredictable,” says mum Kelly. “He stops breathing sometimes, and we have to administer oxygen. It’s scary. You get used to it, but it never gets easier.”
Nathan is non-verbal and not mobile, but his personality shines through. “He’s a really happy boy,” Kelly shares. “He wakes up smiling and loves nursery rhymes. When they’re on, he’s giggling and full of joy.”
Jessie May nurses have been supporting the family since Nathan was three years old, offering specialist care in the comfort of their home. “At first, we didn’t know what Jessie May was,” Kelly admits. “But once they arrived, they were so reassuring. Mel and Tracy have been amazing.”
“Nathan is such a joyful little boy, even with everything he faces,” says Mel, one of his Jessie May nurses. “It’s a privilege to support him and his family — whether that’s helping with his care, giving mum a moment to rest, or simply sharing a smile over nursery rhymes. Around Christmas, we know how important it is to bring a bit of peace and magic into their home.”
For a family managing round-the-clock care, Jessie May’s visits are a lifeline. “Sometimes I’ve had a sleepless night and they arrive – I just hand Nathan over and breathe,” Kelly says. “Even if I’m just in the house, I can sit down with a coffee and not worry. That’s rare.”
The support extends to Nathan’s sister, now 12, who has grown up alongside her brother’s complex needs. “She’s used to nurses and hospital visits,” Kelly explains. “She always says hi to the Jessie May nurses when they come – they’ve become part of our lives.”
Christmas brings its own challenges. “We celebrate at home because it’s too hard to go anywhere else,” Kelly says. “Nathan’s equipment, his wheelchair – it’s not easy to visit family. Even going to church takes planning. We have to check if it’s busy, if there’s an emergency exit, if we can get out quickly if he has a seizure.”
Jessie May helps bring festive joy into the family’s home. “They’ve taken Nathan to the park in summer, and even though we haven’t made it to the Christmas party yet, their visits around the holidays make a difference,” Kelly says. “They help us keep things calm and joyful.”
This Christmas, give the gift of care. Please help families spend the festive season making memories, not facing their worries alone.
