A Personal Story: How CBD Oil Transformed My Niece's Battle with Rare Epilepsy and Dyslexia
Article Written by Dr Wes Abu-Jalala
Read time: 2-3 mins
I’d like to share the poignant and compelling journey of my niece, Laila, who is now 13 years old and has faced immense challenges due to her medical condition. Diagnosed with Jeavons syndrome at just six years old, Laila's life has been profoundly affected by this rare form of epilepsy, which can cause an astonishing number of seizures—often numbering several hundred in a single day. This relentless condition has taken a significant toll on Laila and has been a source of deep frustration and heartache for her family, as well as the medical specialists who have tirelessly sought effective treatments over the past seven years.
Throughout this time, Laila has undergone numerous treatment regimens involving a variety of anti-epileptic medications, yet none have provided the relief she so desperately needs. Each failed attempt has added to the emotional burden her loved ones carry as they’ve watched her navigate a life so heavily impacted by her condition.
During this challenging period, I encountered Dr Linder, an Israeli paediatric neurologist, at the UIC conference in Brisbane in 2023. Intrigued by Laila's case, I approached him to discuss her situation in detail.
Dr Linder explained that he had treated two patients with Jeavons syndrome in Israel, both with promising results using CBD oil. Although this treatment is not officially approved in Israel, he recounted how it had significantly alleviated symptoms in his patients. Encouraged by his insights, he recommended that we explore high-strength CBD oil as a potential option for Laila.
However, Laila lives in Dubai, where the legal framework surrounding medical cannabis is highly restrictive. Her mother faced significant challenges in obtaining the product but was eventually able to source CBD oil online. What followed was nothing short of transformative: for the first time in years, Laila’s EEG readings showed no seizures.
This monumental change marked a pivotal moment for Laila and her family. It brought newfound hope and highlighted the profound impact effective treatment can have, not just on seizure control but also on her overall quality of life.
Laila has also faced challenges with dyslexia, which has required her to be placed in special needs classrooms throughout her education. However, since starting the CBD treatment, her academic performance has improved dramatically. She has excelled in mathematics, achieving perfect scores that have astonished her teachers and impressed her current neurologist in Dubai. These achievements underscore the broader, life-changing effects that proper treatment can have, particularly for children.
Laila’s journey has been deeply inspiring for me as a doctor, and proved that the benefits that medical cannabis can offer to countless patients—both in Australia and globally—are significant, yet they remain underexplored and, too often, dismissed. Every day, I hear incredible stories from Australia, reinforcing the transformative potential of cannabis in medical treatment.
I remain optimistic that perceptions and regulations will continue to evolve, aligning more closely with the evidence and the profound impact cannabis can have on patient care. Laila's story is not only one of personal triumph but also a testament to the importance of exploring innovative treatment options for those living with challenging medical conditions.
Dr. Wes Abu-Jalala is a Rural Medicine Specialist with over 17 years of experience at WA Country Health Service, where he provides vital healthcare services to remote and rural communities throughout Western Australia. After earning his Fellowship from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM), he developed expertise in emergency and general medicine while maintaining special interests in AI health, medical technology, dermatology, skin cancer, and cosmetic medicine. As a Medical Advisor to a MedTech venture, Dr. Abu-Jalala combines his clinical expertise with his passion for innovation to improve health outcomes and accessibility for rural patients, demonstrating his commitment to advancing rural healthcare through technology, research, and medical education.
Disclaimer: This information is shared with a global readership for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or business advice. All patient-related information has been de-identified OR fictional to protect privacy. Nothing in this article is intended to promote the use or supply of medical cannabis to members of the public.
