Family to
raise funds
in memory
of tragic
baby Aimee

Two-year-old Aimee Frankland passed away in her parents’ arms in hospital in Leeds after suffering prolonged seizures.

The youngster had lived with multiple seizures and serious health problems since she was a baby.

Despite that, her parents Karen and John, of Calverley, near Leeds, said their “supernova” was full of fun and happiness.

Her mother said: “She was a bundle of energy.

“She was full of smiles and unconditional love. She never moaned about anything. She just bounced back and got on with it.

“She just loved life. She was absolutely fearless.”

Now they want to raise money for research into Dravet syndrome, the condition Aimee suffered from.

“They call it a catastrophic condition, and it really is,” her mother added.

“We have lost such a beautiful little life. You just think that it cannot be all for nothing.”

Aimee was three months old when she suffered her first prolonged seizure and over time the attacks increased.

She also suffered from myoclonic seizures, short jerks or drop attacks which affected her every day and often left her with bumps and grazes. She wore a special helmet to protect her from serious injury.

Last year, Aimee was diagnosed by specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London with Dravet syndrome, which affects up to one in 40,000 people.

Her seizures intensified and she was also diagnosed with pattern sensitivity, which meant she was surrounded by triggers for her epilepsy.

“It was a real struggle for her,” her mother said.

On December 5 last year, Aimee suffered a major seizure which left her in intensive care in Leeds General Infirmary. The next day she suffered a further attack, which affected her brain and tragically, she was unable to recover. She died on December 9, surrounded by her family.

Now her parents, who also have a four-year-old son William, want to raise money in her memory.

Aimee’s mother said: “We want to try and find a cure for it. It’s a heartbreaking thing for families to live with and to lose such a beautiful little soul.”

n To donate to Dravet Syndrome UK, visit www.justgiving.com/AimeeFrankland or text AMFR73 £(amount) to 70070.