Oscar's life-changing diagnosis
Oscar is an energetic and busy 10-year-old who lives with his mum, dad, and sister Hannah who is 12.
In August 2023, Oscar and his family’s lives changed. Kim, Oscar’s mum, is a children’s nurse. When she arrived home after a long shift, Kim found her husband, Alex, trying to give Oscar rescue breaths. Oscar was having a seizure. An ambulance arrived and took him to the same hospital where Kim had just finished her 12-hour shift.
Oscar’s seizure lasted 35 minutes. When he arrived at hospital, he was rushed into the A&E’s resus area, and he was then admitted to the High Dependency Unit. Thankfully, Oscar recovered from the seizure, and over the following few weeks he had lots of tests to determine the cause of it.
As a result of these tests, Oscar was diagnosed with focal epilepsy with secondary generalisation. The doctors started Oscar on medication to control his seizures, while he and his family started adjusting to what the diagnosis meant for them.
Kim explained “Oscar’s life changed overnight after his seizure. Suddenly, he had to be supervised all the time. I couldn’t let him go to the park down the road with his friends. His freedom shrunk.”
Understandably, there was a big effect on the whole family. Kim told us “I felt pretty traumatised. Whenever he was on his own for brief moments, I worried that I’d walk back into the room to him having another seizure.”
“Over the coming months things did become a bit easier, but there’s always that worry at the back of our minds.”
Discovering the magic of camp
When Oscar was in hospital, he met Dr Zoe, who volunteers for Over The Wall Camp in her spare time. Dr Zoe said, “Oscar was really unwell, upset and confused about what his life would be like with this new diagnosis.” While she was looking after Oscar in hospital, Dr Zoe thought that he could really benefit from the mischief and magic of camp when he was well enough.
A year after Oscar’s stay in hospital, Dr Zoe heard from a colleague that he was finding things difficult…
“I heard from a member of the team how much Oscar was struggling with coming to terms with his diagnosis and the ongoing symptoms it was giving him.”
And his sister Hannah was struggling too;
“Hannah had found the process of Oscar’s diagnosis difficult and was desperate to meet another sibling going through a similar thing. I knew they were both perfect for Over The Wall Camp and I wanted them to have the opportunity to meet others like them and realise that they’re not alone.”
Being familiar with the quick referral process, straight away Dr Zoe spoke to the family and then referred them to Over The Wall Camp. Although Kim was scared about them going away for a week, she applied for their places at camp. Then, in summer 2024, we welcomed Oscar and Hannah to our Midlands Health Challenge and Siblings Camp, where they enjoyed five days of fun!
Bravery and compassion
Before camp, Kim said Oscar could be quite unsure of himself and was often very nervous. Oscar very rarely stepped outside of his comfort zone.
But Oscar returned from camp glowing with pride and much more confident…
“We are so grateful that Oscar was referred… Camp has really helped Oscar to grow and develop. Since camp he is willing to try so much more… he has been a lot braver. He constantly talks about camp, with such positivity.”
Oscar told us “I learnt that I can be brave”. When he went home, he was excited to tell his parents about one particular experience at camp… going on the zip line! “I am never that brave normally” Oscar told us. Surprised by his adventurous side, Kim told us “He must have felt very safe and supported to even try something like that.”
As well as discovering how brave he is, another lasting impact of camp is that Oscar also made friends. He told us that was the best bit of camp!
Hannah got just as much out of camp as her brother did. But at times, Kim wasn’t sure whether Hannah would even make it to camp:
“I was nervous because Hannah was reluctant. But Hannah loved the camp so much she wants to go again!”
Talking about her time at camp, Hannah explained, “It made me feel great because I could be myself.”
Hannah loved sitting around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, and making friends. And like her brother, she realised how brave she is… She proudly managed to reach the top of the climbing wall!
Kim told us that since camp, Hannah has been more compassionate, empathetic and thoughtful towards others. The week had such an impact on her that she hopes to volunteer with Over The Wall Camp when she is older.
Kim and Alex’s advice to other parents...
To other parents considering camp for their children, Kim and Alex would say ‘go for it!’
Kim said, “I was so scared letting Oscar go. But knowing there were doctors, nurses and paramedics there really settled my nerves. I knew should the worst happen they’d take excellent care of him.”
“They will love every second. From the moment they get there, there’s a lovely group of people greeting the children, making them feel at ease. I could feel the warmth and welcoming vibe, I knew they would be safe and happy.”
