“Seeing your child seriously unwell is any parents’ worst nightmare,” said Littlehampton mum, Georgy Jones.
For parents Georgy and Leigh, that nightmare became reality on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 when their nearly two-year-old daughter, Maisie, had a sudden seizure that wouldn’t stop.
“In that situation, you feel completely helpless,” Georgy recalled. “For any parent, seeing your child critically unwell is one of the most traumatic moments of your life. I called 999 and I was so thankful the crew arrived so quickly. They were so reassuring while they were treating Maisie.”
The call was triaged as a category one incident and South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) Paramedic, Ben Saunders, Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) Phillippa Kennedy, alongside Critical Care Paramedic, David Priest, were dispatched to the family’s home. When they arrived, the seriousness of the situation was immediately clear.
“Maisie was very unwell when we got there,” Ben explained. “She was still fitting, so we administered midazolam to try and stop the seizure and help stabilise her.”
Working swiftly and calmly, the team delivered life-saving treatment before transporting Maisie to Worthing Hospital. She was later transferred to Southampton for specialist care.
It hasn’t been an easy road to recovery. Maisie has since been diagnosed with epilepsy – a life-changing condition for any family to navigate. But despite the challenges they have faced, Georgy says their daughter’s spirit is shining through.
“It hasn’t been easy, but she’s incredibly strong,” Georgy said. “We’re learning more every day, and she’s slowly getting back to her cheeky, happy self. We’re just so grateful she’s here.”
Recently, the family were reunited with Ben and Phillippa at a heartfelt reunion at SECAmb’s Worthing Ambulance Station. For Ben and Phillippa, seeing Maisie happy and thriving was a special moment.
“Maisie looks completely different to how we saw her that day,” Phillippa said. “It was wonderful to see how well she’s recovering. We don’t often get to hear what happens after we hand patients over at hospital, so being able to see her again and meet the whole family properly was really special.”
During the visit, Maisie, joined by her parents and older brother, Finley, even had the chance to sit inside an ambulance and switch on the blue lights.
For Georgy and Leigh, the reunion was an opportunity to say the words they didn’t have time to say that day.
“We’ll never forget what they did for our daughter,” Georgy said. “They brought calm to chaos and gave Maisie the care she desperately needed. We can’t thank them enough.”
As ‘Purple Day’ approaches on Thursday, 26 March, the family hope that by sharing Maisie’s story they can help raise awareness of epilepsy and the impact it can have on families. Purple Day is an international day dedicated to increasing understanding of epilepsy, reducing stigma and encouraging conversations about seizures and how to respond.
Georgy is urging parents and carers to learn the signs of seizures and to seek help immediately if something doesn’t feel right.
“If sharing Maisie’s story helps even one family recognise the signs or feel less alone, then it’s worth it,” Georgy said. “Epilepsy can be frightening, but with the right support and awareness, families can face it together. We also want people to know how important it is to call for help if a seizure doesn’t stop.”