Devoted sister’s appeal to buy beloved brother a headstone

A DEVOTED sister is trying to raise enough money to buy a headstone for her disabled brother’s grave.

Jodie Evans, 28, lost her brother Dion in August 2016.

He passed away at the young age of 21 after battling various health problems.

As well as being born with Down’s syndrome, doctors also discovered Dion had two holes in his heart.

When he was six he was informed he had kidney failure which would limit the time he had to live.

Jodie, originally from Gelligaer, said: “He ended up being quite unwell. We took him to the doctors and we were later told he had kidney failure.

“I can’t remember the name of the condition but it was quite rare.

“He started dialysis, which was difficult, but he began to get used to it in time. He was such an unwell little boy.”

In the end Dion’s body couldn’t cope.

He started to refuse dialysis shortly before he lost his battle, even though the family wanted him to continue with the procedure.

“I know he was saying no but you do anything when it comes to the people you love – what else would you do?” Jodie added.

“He couldn’t do anything – he couldn’t talk and he couldn’t understand.

“It’s been about a year since we’ve wanted to get him a headstone but we can’t afford it and have had little support since he died.

“My mother, Nicola, still won’t visit my brother’s grave because there’s not a headstone there and she can’t bear to go there without one.

“I still go with my sisters and my nan and we make it look as nice as we can.

“But at the moment all we have there is a wooden cross – and we made that ourselves.

“I think my brother deserves much more.”

Jodie, who now lives in Nelson, explained the family have wanted to raise funds for a while but they have found talking about Dion difficult since he died.

The proud mum is hoping people will come forward to help.

“My mother can’t afford to live never mind buy a headstone,” she added.

“We just want to be able to buy him a headstone.”

To make a contribution to the cause, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jodie-evans-1