Eastbourne mother's rail strike anguish as son awaits transplant

Jeni Desautels, 35, of Tweedsmuir Close, is concerned she may not be able to get her son Jakob to hospital in time for the operation he could be called to have at any moment.

Jakob is currently on home dialysis awaiting a transplant, but can only be treated at Evelina children’s hospital in London.

They also have to visit the hospital every two weeks or more for check-ups or if there are any problems.

“It’s an absolute nightmare, it’s been going on for months – just one thing after another,” said Mrs Desautels.

“I’m terrified of the day he gets a call and my husband is working away.

“It’s literally putting his life at risk.”

Her husband has often had to take the day off work to drive Jakob up to hospital when trains have been cancelled.

Mrs Desautels, who cannot drive, said, “I’m fuming at Southern and the unions.

“I’m angry when I see pictures of the strikers smiling outside Eastbourne train station.

“I appreciate their arguments – it’s just the smugness that comes across.

“The amount of times we have been stuck at Victoria.

“We got stranded at Gatwick once, we were just told to get off the train and get a cab at 10 o’clock at night.