Losing Jenson to Anaphylaxis: A Mother’s Story of Love and Loss

 
A photograph of a mother and son in memory of Jenson Joseph who died in his sleep from anaphylaxis.

Jenson had a heart of gold - Lex

Jenson’s Mum Shares just how Special He Was

By Lex, Jenson’s mum

Jenson passed away on 30 April 2024 from a rare and catastrophic anaphylactic reaction while he lay sleeping.

Accepting that Jenson is no longer here is something I simply cannot comprehend.

Jenson had been diagnosed with a peanut and almond allergy at the age of 21 and had never needed to use his EpiPen. There were no signs of a reaction before he went to bed that evening. The coroner later ruled that his blood pressure suddenly dropped as a result of an anaphylactic reaction. To this day, we still do not know what caused it.

From the moment Jenson arrived in the world, I knew I had been blessed with the most incredible baby boy.

He was so laid back from birth, always smiling on cue, and simply a joy to be around. As he grew, it became clear he had a heart of gold, a presence that could light up any room and a personality that brought happiness to everyone around him. He truly meant everything to his family and friends.

Jenson built a beautiful life for himself in York after studying for both his degree and Master’s at St John University. I was so incredibly proud of everything he had achieved, and I looked forward to watching his life continue to unfold. I never imagined it would be cut so short.

Mother and son posing for a celebratory photo of a graduation

Lex and Jenson celebrating his graduation

We shared an incredibly close bond. I never missed a chance to tell him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him. When he passed, I remember thinking, why would God take one of us without the other? If this was going to happen, why not take us both? I was never meant to be here without him.

Those words have never left me. I hear them every minute of every day.

Jenson wasn’t just my only son, he was my whole world. He was my focus and the reason behind everything I have ever done. The pain of living without him is unbearable.

Losing Jenson has devastated my life. My heart simply does not beat the same anymore. I always believed that together, no matter what life brought, we could face anything.

Now, I pray every day that wherever he is, he is safe and at peace. Until we meet again, in this lifetime or the next, I will carry him with me always.

Lex,
Jenson’s forever devoted mum