Nearly 600 young suffering epilepsy

His Merrylands family, comprising mum and dad Jasmine and Steve, sister Olivia, 11, and brother AJ, 9, live their lives around his frequent hospital visits and ensuring all the “triggers” such as being to hot, sick or over-stimulated are kept at bay.
“Despite being on five high-dose anti-epilepsy medications, he still has seizures,” Mrs Issa said.
“We’ve tried everything, from natural therapies like medicinal cannabis and diets, but everything only helps short-term.”
She said at the end of last year, Jonah was also diagnosed with having Lennox Gastaut Syndrome that’s a severe form of treatment-resistant epilepsy.
She was at her wit’s end with worry when she reached out to Epilepsy Action Australia for support.
“We could not have got through that time without their guidance,” she said.
“Jonah, though, is incredibly resilient, he gives us strength and has taught us so much and I am grateful to be his mother.”
Almost 600 children in the Cumberland LGA, have epilepsy and one-third keep having seizures while on medication.
With more needing to be done to support these children, the council has awarded Epilepsy Action Australia a $15,000 grant to expand their Strong Foundations Nurse Intervention program.
Epilepsy Action Australia CEO Carol Ireland said the funds would be used to give young sufferers the hope of a happier future.
“There are new treatments being developed and we are learning all of the time,” she said.
“This funds will help us expand services such as the telephone support line, help more children with referrals to services, management plans and early intervention programs.”