James Fund

My nephew James was the "happiest little boy", aged 3 years old suddenly passed away over the weekend.

With my sister-in-law Michelle, a mum of three girls, unexpectedly falling pregnant in 2019, James was born as the family's?"miracle boy" in May 2020.

James, who was autistic, non-verbal, epileptic, developmentally delayed, and a sufferer of sleep apnoea,?was dealt a tough card in life?but he was the "life and soul of the family" and "always had a smile on his face".

Because of James' condition, his mother Michelle took a step back from her work and social life to become his full-time carer, but disaster struck on Sunday, February 11 when Michelle- found that James had passed away in his sleep.

With James a frequent hospital visitor throughout his short life, Michelle and dad Wayne were constantly pushing for more answers on his condition.

As James needed constant round-the-clock care, both say they were often fighting for more support and a deeper look into his complex needs as he grew older.

The need for extra support became increasingly urgent as James began suffering from seizures for over a year, for which he was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy and given medication.

Because of James' severe sleep apnoea, which is where breathing stops and starts during sleep, she found him lifeless on two separate occasions, with him having to be rushed to the hospital for resuscitation for one of these occasions.

Sadly this is not the first time Michelle and Wayne have dealt with such devastation, as their first-born Luke also died in his sleep 21 years ago, aged 3.

For this to happen to any family once is painful, this happening twice to both there little boys is unimaginable.

Despite what life threw at James, he always had a smile on his face and he was just the happiest little boy.

With the tragedy being announced on social media, the community have rallied around the family, with dozens of messages of support and condolences being sent their way.

Events and fundraisers have been announced in honour of James and the family, to raise funds to give James the best funeral and to support the family through this tough period.

I would ask if any of my business contacts are able to donate to the fundraiser for James and the family, please follow the link below:

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Jamesfund

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Thankyou