Adaline Casey is unstoppable, and she knows it! 

At 5 months old, Adaline began having Infantile Spasms, a short type of seizure that occurs in babies and causes them to stiffen and jerk their muscles. She later started having atonic seizures and was eventually diagnosed with focal epilepsy. She is now on medication to help manage her diagnosis.  

Today at 5 years old, Adaline or “Addy” is a kindergartener who is “full of smiles and shares her joy with unmistakable squeals of excitement,” her parents shared. 

Like many individuals living with epilepsy, it has been a difficult journey pinpointing what kind of seizure activity she currently experiences and what treatment will work best. Despite her diagnosis and the challenges it has presented her and her family, epilepsy will not take away Addy’s joy. 

Addy’s zest for life extends to many different areas. Addy loves spending her time playing soccer, riding horses, swimming, and being an unofficial but devoted cheerleader for her brother’s Lacrosse team. “Her favorite thing in life is making friends everywhere she goes,” Addy’s parents told us.  

The strength and determination this kindergartner exhibits far exceeds her diagnosis. Addy and her family shared that she is proud of herself for now being able to do activities on the playground almost entirely without extra support. She’s striving to be able to climb on the monkey bars! As a determined 5-year-old, Addy has accomplished so much on and off the playground!  Difficulties with physical activity do not deter Addy from the effort she puts in during her physical therapy sessions to help strengthen her body and to teach her how she can do even more on her own. 

Epilepsy awareness holds a lot of value in Addy’s family as they know how important it is for the safety of Addy and other kids like her. They made sure her school nurse had information about epilepsy, which led to seizure first-aid training for school staff, teachers, and therapists. 

Addy and her family have continued to be a positive force in the Northeastern New York epilepsy community by attending (and having lots of fun at) Kids Crew events and participating in fundraising efforts. Together, they formed “Team Addy” at the EFNENY Walk to End Epilepsy, showing everyone that Addy’s determination is contagious! 

Addy is continuing to work hard and show everyone around her that she will not let epilepsy dampen her happiness and zeal! 

EFNENY is proud to have selected Addy as one of our two Winning Kids for 2025! Addy’s spirit and hard work both with and outside of EFNENY will be honored at our 37th Annual Confections in Chocolate Gala for Hope. Addy and her Co-Winning Kid, Ada Jordan, will be recognized at the gala on March 29th at Birch Hill Estate in Castleton-On-Hudson. 

What does Adaline and her family think everyone should know about epilepsy? 

Despite epilepsy, Addy knows she can do anything she puts her mind to!