EPILEPSY

WEEKLY
The legacy of Adelaide Cervantes
Adelaide Cervantes has passed away after bat-
tle with epilepsy
Adelaide Cervantes, the daughter of Hamilton
Star Miguel Cervantes passed away late Sunday
night after a public battle with epilepsy. A severe
seizure had her put in hospice care, where she
took her last breaths. Adelaide’s battle along
with the volunteer work of Miguel brought epilep-
sy to the attention of many.
“I can use ‘Hamilton’ to get the message out that
says this is something that needs to be more in
the mainstream, more in the forefront and really
talked about to see if we can get some better
treatment so that people aren’t constantly on
guard for, you know, seizures to come back
because that seems like a terrifying way to live”,
said Miguel in 2017
The epilepsy community understands
exactly what he means and why what he says
is important. The struggle of having concern for
yourself or someone close to you at all times is
incredibly stressful. Every day where someone
can’t find a cure for their seizures is one that
is risking lives and creating terror for them and
those who care about them. That is why more
research needs to be funded so that these meth-
ods can come sooner for those in need.
Adelaide never found the correct medica-
tion to control the seizures she had. She is one
of many who dealt with the inability to be con-
trolled. Everyone who knew her and followed her
story loved her. All we can hope for in her loss, is
for it to benefit the future. The Cervantes family’s
platform put epilepsy in the minds of many who
are not personally affected or know someone
who is. In a world where so many keep quiet
about their battle, this helps open the conversa-
tion.
Kelly Cervantes, wife of Miguel, wrote in
a blog for the past year to document their strug-
gles. Her insight is also valuable to open the
door for epilepsy care and research. While the
struggles on an individual dealing with it have
been shown in the past, this demonstrates the
struggle that the loved ones go through. It is a
different perspective and it rings true to more
than just those affected by it. People are more
likely to be friends or close with someone that
has epilepsy instead of them being personally
affected. The more that understand the struggle
of all who are apart of a battle with epilepsy.
The more that people understand its effects,
the more that people will support and donate to
help manage epilepsy cases and fund research
to find Her perspective moves some people in
different ways than hearing it from someone with
epilepsy, and lessens the stigma around epilep-
sy, increase awareness of it and ultimately allow
for more research to find methods to control
epilepsy.
Adelaide Cervantes,pictured with
her family

Spotlight on SUDEP Action
Day
October 23 is SUDEP Action Day. This is to raise
awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death in
Epilepsy and inform people with epilepsy of the
risk they possess. This is now familiar to many
outside of the epilepsy community following the
passing of Cameron Boyce earlier this year due
to SUDEP. It is considered to be a sudden and
unexpected non-traumatic or drowning death with
no toxicological or anatomical cause found. The
public was never made aware of Boyce’s struggle
with epilepsy because he hid it from the public.
He led a seemingly perfect normal life to every-
one, but his life never was. Boyce’s death death
led to a lot of coverage in the media and a lot of
attention was brought to epilepsy and SUDEP.
Many keep their battles with epilepsy private due
to embarrassment over it. The passing of Boyce
gives attention to a disease that needs more un-
derstanding. Cameron Boyce is celebrated today
and every day for who he was as a person, today
we remember his death for leading the world to
be educated epilepsy following his tragic pass-
ing. He plays a role in leading those also battling
epilepsy to feel more comfortable because more
understand their struggles.
Boyce’s family confirmed in a statement after
his death that it was caused by SUDEP
EPILEPSY WEEKLY
Illinois passes Seizure
Safe School Legislation
Illinois has become the fourth state to
pass Seizure Safe School legislation. Parents
of students must submit a seizure action plan
to the school. The parents can develop their
plan with University of Illinois at Chicago’s Di-
vision of Specialized Care for Children. Repre-
sentative from there can also attend meetings
with school staff. Schools are also required to
know their healthcare provider’s plan for each
student. Each school has to have a delegated
care aid who is trained to help students with
their seizure action plan. The most impactful
aspect of the bill is that all school staff must be
able to perform seizure first aid and recogni-
tion training. This will have them prepared to
assist any student at any time.
Seizure Safe School Legislation ensures
that the classroom is safer for all students
affected by epilepsy.