JAMAICA RESIDENT OVERCOMES SEVERE
EPILEPSY, EMBRACES NEW LIFE WITH FAMILY
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
After battling the worst
form of epilepsy for 15 years,
Gavin Deo, 35, of Jamaica, is
finally seizure free and able
to spend quality time with his
family, especially his daughter,
during the holidays.
“I can get back to work,
and hopefully start driving
again,” said Deo, who suffered
symptoms of epilepsy
including seizures, abnormal
movements or behavior due to
unusual electrical activity in
the brain.
Epilepsy is the fourth
most common neurological
disorder and affects people
of all ages, according to the
Epilepsy Foundation. Having
seizures and epilepsy can
affect one’s safety, relationships,
work, driving and so
much more. Public perception
and treatment of people with
epilepsy are often bigger problems
than actual seizures.
Deo’s drug-resistant seizures
would strike without
warning and occurred multiple
times per week, causing
convulsions and loss of consciousness
to the point where
he feared leaving home. During
this time, he needed to
be closely monitored by family
and friends, and guided
through daily tasks.
According to Deo, his
entire life was “hijacked by
seizures.”
“I could no longer drive or
work. The frequency of my
seizures took a heavy toll on
my family, especially my relationship
with my 10-year-old
daughter,” Deo said.
In 2009, Deo met Dr. Reza
Zarnegar, an epilepsy neurologist
at NewYork-Presbyterian
Queens Hospital, while
admitted in the emergency department
for a violent seizure.
Ten years later, after another
seizure, the two met again in
the exact same place. This second
encounter would change
Deo’s life.
Following the meeting,
Zarnegar became Deo’s primary
neurologist and recommended
an innovative
and intricate two-part brain
surgery.
In July 2021, Deo’s surgery
was performed by renowned
neurosurgeon Dr. Theodore
After battling epilepsy for the past 15 years, Gavin Deo, 35, can now spend time with his 10-year-old daughter without fearing a seizure.
Photo courtesy of NY-Presbyterian Queens
Schwartz at NewYork-Presbyterian/
Weill Cornell Medical
Center.
During the procedure,
electrodes were implanted directly
in Deo’s brain to record
and pinpoint the seizure’s location.
A few days after this
monitoring, Schwartz then
removed that particular small
portion of the brain causing
the seizures.
After countless medications
and a decadelong hunt
for a cure, Deo is now embracing
a life without seizures.
“From our first meeting I
knew if Gavin could just overcome
his seizures, he would
excel in his career and other
aspects of his life,” Zarnegar
said. “Epilepsy is a painful
secret for so many, as patients
fear the stigma and discrimination.
However, with cuttingedge
TIMESLEDGER | Q 2 NS.COM | JAN. 7 - JAN. 13, 2022
Epilepsy is a painful secret for so
many, as patients fear the stigma
and discrimination. However, with
cutting-edge advances in epilepsy
treatment, and appropriate medical
care and healthy lifestyle habits,
most people with epilepsy can go on
to live a normal and full life.
Dr. Reza Zarnegar
advances in epilepsy
treatment, and appropriate
medical care and healthy lifestyle
habits, most people with
epilepsy can go on to live a
normal and full life.”
While Zarnegar will continue
to monitor him to determine
the longer-term results
of the surgery, Deo is thankful
to have a piece of his freedom
back. He is happy and healthy,
and feels stronger and more
capable than ever.
Recognized as New York’s
No. 1 neurological program,
as ranked by U.S. News &
World Report, NewYork-Presbyterian
is home to two Level
4 Comprehensive Epilepsy
Centers, as designated by the
National Association of Epilepsy
Centers — the highest
rank attainable. People treated
at NewYork-Presbyterian/
Columbia University Irving
Medical Center and NewYork-
Presbyterian/Weill Cornell
Medical Center have access
to internationally renowned
experts in epilepsy care.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–
4526.
TIMESLEDGER is published weekly by Queens CNG LLC, 45-17 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck, N.Y. 11362, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2022. All rights reserved. The newspaper will
not be liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the TimesLedger C/O News
Queens CNG LLC. 45-17 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck, N.Y. 11362.
/NS.COM
link
