British X Factor Winner Sam Bailey Shares Her 15-Year-Old Son’s ‘Traumatic’ Battle With Epilepsy

Sam Bailey launches her new album at The Dorchester in London on Aug. 4, 2016. Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Sam Bailey, a British singer who rose to fame in 2013 after winning the 10th season of “The X Factor UK,” has shed light on the ongoing health challenges her 15-year-old son, Tommy, has faced since being diagnosed with epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes recurrent seizures.

“This month is epilepsy awareness month! So here I am, showing you how traumatic it has been for us the last year!” the 47-year-old wrote on Instagram on Nov. 5.

“Anyone who needs to understand epilepsy, just know this… as a family we are like sitting ducks every day, wondering when he will have his next one.”

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world.

The condition is brought on by abnormal electrical brain activity, which can cause an array of seizure symptoms, such as uncontrollable jerking of the arms and legs, temporary confusion, stiff muscles, and loss of consciousness, per the Mayo Clinic.

There is currently no known cure for epilepsy. However, there are treatment options that can help mitigate symptoms, including surgery, medications, and diet changes.

Bailey—who also shares daughters Brooke, 19, and Miley, 10, with her husband of 20 years, Craig Pearson—noted that her son must take medicine twice a day because of his seizures.

“Tommy will forget if we don’t physically put it in his mouth. He gets tired, he gets frustrated with me wrapping him in cotton wool but that is all I know how to do,” the mom of three wrote.

“Our youngest can’t even be in the same room as him alone as she is petrified that he may have another seizure. We worry every second of every day and yet Tommy just takes it all in his stride! This is our ‘normal.’”

Living With Epilepsy

Bailey posted a series of photos alongside her caption, the first of which shows Tommy being assisted by paramedics from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

Subsequent pictures depict Tommy lying in a hospital bed, while others show his face covered in bruises, a common injury that can arise from seizures.

Bailey concluded her message by thanking the NHS’s East Midlands emergency medical services and Young Epilepsy, a nonprofit organization based in Dormansland, England, that works to improve the lives of children and adolescents living with the neurological disorder.

Another UK charity conveyed its appreciation to Bailey for bringing attention to epilepsy by candidly discussing her son’s ongoing health issues.

“Thank you for sharing your family’s story Sam, and for normalising the trials and tribulations that come when someone you love has epilepsy,” the Epilepsy Society wrote in the post’s comment section.

“Let’s keep working together to raise awareness this #epilepsyawarenessmonth.”

Sam Bailey attends the World Premiere of "Minions" at Odeon Leicester Square in London, England, on June 11, 2015. Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

Health Struggles

Bailey has previously spoken about her son’s battle with epilepsy on social media.

On Dec. 25, 2023, the pop singer took to Facebook to share that Tommy—who is also autistic—had suffered a “massive seizure” on Christmas morning.

“Had an ambulance out for him,” she wrote. “I’m currently up [in the Accident and Emergency department] with him! He’s ok now but I will be mainly caring for him today.”

Bailey reflected on the harrowing experience earlier this year.

“Here he is wearing his epilepsy watch which we have had to buy since he had several seizures in December. It’s been a very scary time for us especially witnessing a VERY bad seizure on Christmas Day,” she captioned on Instagram in February alongside a photo of the teen.

Bailey went on to note that Tommy’s autism made it particularly challenging for him to adjust to his new routine following the epilepsy diagnosis.

“Having autism has made it a lot harder as Tommy doesn’t like change and all of a sudden we are watching him constantly and fussing over him so much more and this has been too much for him at times,” she shared.

“We don’t know what has caused them, we don’t know when another one will happen. We have all done research on seizures and have had lots of advice. Trying not to be ‘Google doctors’ but it’s so difficult when you don’t know what is causing your son [to] have these horrendous seizures so suddenly,” Bailey continued.

“I wish to thank the ambulance crews and doctors that have been amazing with him.. let’s hope we get some answers soon.”