A Better Life: Mateo Caicedo’s Story

Mateo Caicedo, a 12-year-old boy, is a client who relocated from Colombia in May 2015. Mateo began experiencing seizures at the age of 4 and was diagnosed with nocturnal epilepsy. Over time, Mateo started having tonic-clonic seizures more frequently, and it seemed that medication alone was not providing sufficient relief. Upon their move to Broward County, Mateo’s mother, Diana Daza, immediately sought assistance for her son. Mateo was running out of medication and required neurological support. Mrs. Diana discovered Epilepsy Alliance Florida online and decided to visit their Broward office for help.

In September 2015, Mateo officially became a client of Epilepsy Alliance Florida, receiving case management and medical services. Since then, he has been under the care of Dr. Mark Epstein at the Dan Marino Center. With adjustments to his medications, Mateo’s condition has significantly improved, allowing him to live a life free from seizures. Mrs. Daza notes that Mateo has become more active, friendly, and social as a result. He enjoys participating in EAF events, such as the annual Walk the Talk, children’s holiday party, and IPIC movies for kids. Mateo’s seizure activity has decreased by more than 50% thanks to the remarkable neurological care provided by Dr. Epstein. Additionally, Mrs. Daza has received assistance in obtaining affordable medication through the Department of Health.

Furthermore, Mateo faces learning difficulties due to a mild autism diagnosis, which makes reading and writing challenging for him. Mrs. Daza remains hopeful that with the support provided by the school and the staff psychologist at EAF, Mateo will gain more confidence and feel more comfortable in his academic endeavors. Both Mrs. Diana Daza and Mateo are grateful for the assistance and support provided by EAF and plan to continue participating in all of the organization’s services and events throughout the year.