Billy Caldwell, who was not expected to survive infancy due to severe epilepsy, celebrated his 21st birthday last month in Northern Ireland. His mother, Charlotte, recalled that he was sent home to die in 2005 and was not expected to live past his first birthday.
The Caldwell family achieved a significant milestone in 2018 by helping to legalise cannabis-based medicine in the UK. This development facilitated Billy's survival and enabled access to cannabis-based treatments for other patients.
Charlotte Caldwell stated that Billy is now thriving, able to walk, and enjoys trips to the sea. He has been seizure-free since 2023, apart from a week-long supply glitch that year. However, Charlotte noted that NHS prescriptions for cannabis-based treatments remain severely restricted, often forcing patients into expensive private systems.