Grateful for EAF

Joana Fernandes is a 56-year-old female, who began experiencing complex partial and grand mal seizures at the age of 25 years old. The client lived in Brazil at the time of her diagnosis but was not treated. She moved to the U.S and later on began experiencing seizures more than usual. Mrs. Fernandes was faced with difficulties obtaining medication and obtaining insurance to treat her epilepsy. However, Joana was introduced to Epilepsy Alliance Florida by a friend who was also receiving services for her child with epilepsy. Mrs. Fernandes began receiving case management and medical services in January of 2010.

Joana has received neurological care by Dr. Marisa Prego-Lopez at EAF and has improved so much under her care. Mrs. Fernandes expressed how grateful she is for being a part of this organization and to have such amazing care from her neurologist and social worker. She explains how much she has improved from day one; experiencing seizures almost every day to having them only 5 to 6 times per month. However, client has tried different kinds of medications throughout the years and recently, she decided to switch her diet as advised by her neurologist. In which she has noticed huge improvement being on the keto diet.

In addition, the biggest challenge Joana faces is not being able to work or drive. Even though she is hopeful that one day she is will be able to live peacefully without her medications and continue improving one day at a time. She will always be grateful for EAF and the services provided, because without this organization she wouldn’t be where she is today.