Help for boy with epilepsy 'makes huge difference'
Samuel is being supported by Family Nursing & Home Care after he started having uncontrollable seizures
A Jersey family said a charity's support for their son "makes a huge difference" after he started having uncontrollable seizures last year.
Samuel, five, was diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy, which is a severe neurological condition which causes seizures and can have a serious impact on cognitive development and behaviour.
Family Nursing & Home Care (FNHC) visits Samuel to change his nasogastric tube and have helped train staff at his school so they know what to do if he has a seizure.
His mother Jenny Buchanan said: "They're so good and they'll always have a play with Samuel first and then a play after."
Jenny (left) and Jack Buchanan said no parent should go through this
Mrs Buchanan has seen how much support has helped the family after Samuel first started having seizures.
She said: "It was just one morning when we were getting ready for school, like any other day, and the next thing Samuel is on the floor, really stiff and looked like he wasn't breathing, which was absolutely terrifying."
Samuel was then taken to hospital before being flown to Southampton for treatment, where he was diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy.
Mrs Buchanan added: "It was really scary. As a parent, you think your child is fit and well, and then the next thing is their having a huge number of seizures."Samuel is now back in Jersey and he is supported by medical professionals in the island, as well as FNHC.
His father Jack Buchanan said: "The charity has given so much care and attention to Samuel as well as ourselves... We're very fortunate we are where we are today.
"You're seeing Samuel running around smiling, but we're still at seizure risk and the nature of his syndrome is that it's very unpredictable.
"But, with the support, we're in a much happier place a year and a bit on than we were before."
His family say Samuel has improved since going to Southampton but still is at risk from seizures
The family say the turning point for Samuel was when he was put on the medical ketogenic diet last year, which is a group of high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets used under clinical supervision to manage specific medical conditions like epilepsy.
Mrs Buchanan added FNHC's trips to their home had helped Samuel with his treatment.
She said: "I get emotional talking about it... When we got back from Southampton, everything was new and we were scared and just worried for our son.
"They support us to change the nasogastric tube at home rather going to the hospital, which is quite triggering for Samuel.
"He hates having his tube changed, as you can imagine, having it put down your nose to your stomach.
"But FNCH make that bit of the experience as quick as possible and the rest of their visit as fun as possible."
Lynsey Vidler, from FNHC's Children's Community Nursing Team, said: "Samuel having the nasogastric tube is quite unusual, especially at his age.
"The important thing is keeping Samuel out of hospital as much as possible.
"Having the tube change at home is much more relaxing for Samuel, and it's important to make things not as traumatic for him and his parents so they feel confident for him to go to school after the training we provided."
FNHC provides an independent home care service which has been operating in Jersey for more than 50 years.