ESTHER SESAY

I had Javan at 22 weeks and 4 days of gestation, 23 years ago. I was a first-time mum.

Javan came home from hospital after 5 months and three weeks of being born, and was given little chance of making it. I struggled enormously because there was little emotional and community support.

Javan continued to strive against all odds, and I was emboldened to do everything I could to give him a fighting chance.

To support Javan's growth and development, I trained as a paediatric nurse, qualifying in 2004. Subsequent to my first degree, I went on to work as Community Nurse and as a School Nursing before training as a Specialist Community Public Health Practitioner.

The Javan Coker Foundation was established as a testament to Javan, who wanted to support other children facing challenging odds like him, so the foundation was formed to support families dealing with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

We focus on supporting children, young people, and adults in their journey of life, creating opportunities that were not available to Javan and I.

In our four years of existence, we have impacted over a hundred families and touched the lives of hundreds of children and young persons of all abilities.