Epileptic Student looses battle at 23

Fundraising campaign by Emily Stone
  • £147.00
    raised of £5,270.00 goal goal
2% Funded
5 Donors
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Kimberley Szostak 23 year old daughter of Army Reserve David Szostak and self employed Hairdresser Joanne Evans has been struggling with Severe Epilepsy since she was just 9 years of age, Kimmy as her loved ones would call her refused to let this affect how she lived her life. As she entered into her teenage years she did her best to have a normal childhood joining Girl Scouts and volunteering as a carer at a local children's activity Centre.

Kimmy has been quite the celebrity spotter since toddler age having pictures taken with cast members of 90's British drama series Heartbeat and artists such as Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Olly Murs, The Saturdays, Joe Jonas and far to many more A list celebrities to mention. Having had a love for music Kimmy not only rocked the karaoke regularly but became one of pop group Girls Aloud's most loyal fans seeing them live as often as she could and taking every opportunity to meet them in person, after forming a friendship with band member Cheryl they would write to each other so often that even cheryl was heartbroken to hear of her unfortunate passing https://www.facebook.com/david.m.szostak/posts/10208136399747114

As Kimmy reached her adult life she was also diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) and this began to take its toll on her daily life, with this on top of her already stressful battle with epilepsy she began to feel less able to deal with life and went through a really dark patch, she began to have therapy and had been prescribed various medication for this.

Kimmy once said,

"I've got something called EUPD, hate being labelled but I guess that's the way of explaining how I feel, just wish I was even half decent.. Some of the things that go on in my head I don't even know where to begin, I don't even know who I am most days"

Hearing this nearly broke my heart knowing that she had no idea how beautiful and amazing she was made me just want to cry. She didn't think she was decent but it turns out she was one of the most decent people iv ever met, after her passing it was discovered that she had been making regular donations to Guide Dogs,Marie Curie,Scout Epilepsy,lifeboats and a few other charities and she even took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

https://www.facebook.com/david.m.szostak/posts/10208145247008290

This is the kind of person Kimmy was, doing good things just to do good things and not seeking praise.

Though Kimberly was suffering with a serious medical condition and a mental illness she still always had a smile on her face and found time to make everyone around her feel special and loved beyond compare. She had dreams of a big white wedding and always wanted to be in love with someone who loved her back, Unfortunately Kim didn't get the chance... She even auditioned for ITV show take me out but they refused her application due to her epilepsy.

Kimmy began studying performing arts at The University Of Bedfordshire following in the path of her older sister Katy Szostak who also studied performing arts for many years but gave it up to become a Mother to Mollie who quickly became the apple of Kimmy's eye, these two were virtually inseparable Mollie really loved her Auntie Kimmy and she almost broke my heart when she told me "I'm going to miss Auntie Kimmy and I know I can't see her anymore but she can still see me"

https://www.facebook.com/david.m.szostak/posts/10208145248008315

Kimberley was someone who could brighten up any room and make any situation no matter the severity seem to matter less, she was quiet the comedic character and loved taking selfies and videos to share with her loved ones.

There were many touch and go moments for Her family on many occasions when she had suffered life threatening fits and was hospitalised several times, on 3 occasions she was comatose in hospital for many weeks because of her epilepsy, on one occasion she fell downstairs during a seizure and luckily only broke her shoulder when it could have been her neck unfortunately soon afterwards she had a other seizure smashing her head outside the hospital culminating in further major surgery Inc steel plates insertions etc...

September 22nd 2015 kimmy was taken from us, the night before the start of her final year of University, this kind wonderful soul that was beautiful inside and out tragically died whilst having a seizure.

Kimberley became very spiritual towards the end and really started to enjoy the natural beauty in the world. On Saturday 10th October some hundred family and friends said their tearful goodbyes as she went on her final journey in a white hearse drawn by white horses to Poole crematorium leaving behind a distraught Mother, Father, two brothers a sister, two nephews and her mini me niece who are now struggling to pay £7289.50 for the funeral, it was a beautiful service for a beautiful soul however the family need to be allowed to grieve without having to worry about how they will pay for this knowing that every month for years to come they will be constantly reminded that there youngest child who's life was stolen can no longer be with them, this is why I ask if you would be so kind as to donate even just a little this will make a massive difference to allow the family to grieve for their little kimmy who is an Angel in life and after. Between family and friends we have managed to raise a huge £2,020.00 however we still have £5269.50 left to find. please find it in your heart help us raise this.

http://m.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13839419.Goodb...

"EPILEPSY LIVED IN HER YET SHE NEVER LET IT CONTROL HER LIFE THOUGH IT TOOK HER LIFE SO CRUELY CUT SHORT SHE LIVED IT TO THE MAX SMILING AWAY EVERYBODY WHO KNEW AND WAS BLESSED BY KIMBERLEY SPECIAL CHILD OF NATURE" ~ David Szostak

Organizer

I have known the family for 12 years and remain best friends with Kimmys sister.

I have known the family for 12 years and remain best friends with Kimmys sister.

Donors

  • Rachel Cooper
  • Donated on Apr 05, 2017
  • So sad I can't believe how you must feel right now x

Amount Hidden
  • Lindsey fanner
  • Donated on Oct 17, 2015
  • special love to your family and friends, you meant so much to my sister and provided her with support and friendship, hearing your story...you were an inspiration to many and the determination you had for life was amazing! I too am an EUPD patient and understand the dark days you had, but now you are free, safe and at peace! You make a wonderful caring angel showering your loved ones with love forever! God bless you KIm x x x

£50.00
  • Stuart Hamilton
  • Donated on Oct 17, 2015
  • So sorry for your loss, although nothing can help with your loss hopefully we can all help ease the costs

£30.00
Oct 16

Funds raised

Update posted by Emily Stone at 10:41 pm

All money raised will be going directly to Kimberley's Father David Szostak to disperse accordingly

See update
0

Donors & Comments

5 donors
  • Rachel Cooper
  • Donated on Apr 05, 2017
  • So sad I can't believe how you must feel right now x

Amount Hidden
  • Lindsey fanner
  • Donated on Oct 17, 2015
  • special love to your family and friends, you meant so much to my sister and provided her with support and friendship, hearing your story...you were an inspiration to many and the determination you had for life was amazing! I too am an EUPD patient and understand the dark days you had, but now you are free, safe and at peace! You make a wonderful caring angel showering your loved ones with love forever! God bless you KIm x x x

£50.00
  • Stuart Hamilton
  • Donated on Oct 17, 2015
  • So sorry for your loss, although nothing can help with your loss hopefully we can all help ease the costs

£30.00
  • Emily Stone
  • Posted On Oct 16, 2015
  • Wow Sophie that’s so amazing, what tattoo was she thinking of getting? I’m so glad that you found each other. Xx

  • Greg Hewitt
  • Donated on Oct 16, 2015
£10.00
  • Sophie Fanner
  • Donated on Oct 16, 2015
  • Kimmy was one of my best friends who brightened up my day. We met in a psych unit when we were both a bit fragile. She was the first person who spoke to me and we developed a strong friendship. We were both discharged the same day and went for a walk along the beach. I'll never forget that moment with her. We had such a laugh! I was only speaking to Kimmy a couple of hours before she passed and I told her how proud I was of her and how much I loved her. I'm glad she saw the message before she passed. We were discussing a new tattoo with Kimmy and she said how much she'd love me to go with her. I'm getting a tattoo in memory of her to keep me motivated with life!. My donation is little and she deserves so much more. I will miss you millions Kimmy and I'll see you soon xxx

£50.00

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Stuart Hamilton
£147.00
raised of £5,270.00 goal
2% Funded
5 Donors

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