June 29th, 2023 – At a webinar to celebrate young people with epilepsy – in advance of International Youth Day 2023 – IBE announces its bi-annual, global Golden Light Award winners.

Three inspiring young people – from Brazil, Tanzania and Ireland – were selected to receive this year’s award, from over 20 nominations received from across the world. The Awards are an opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding young people who live with epilepsy or care for a person with epilepsy.

‘There are so many young people with epilepsy globally who are working to improve the quality of life of others through activities such advocacy, awareness raising, information sharing, fundraising and so much more,’ said IBE Secretary-General, Prof. Gus Baker, who was part of the 2023 judging panel.

‘Although we could only choose three winners, we also highly commend the work of all those nominated who are a real inspiration for other young people around the world. Their efforts will help us to achieve IBE’s vision of a transformational social change for young people with epilepsy worldwide.’

Learn more about our 2023 recipients below, who will receive their award during the opening ceremony of the 35th International Epilepsy Congress in Dublin, Ireland this September.

 

A Global Epilepsy Youth Summit will take place during the Congress, organised by IBE and its Global Youth Team to ensure that young advocates can meet, learn and inform IBE’s Youth Programme.

 

To learn more about IBE’s Global Youth Team and the inspiring young advocates we are working closely with across the globe, see here.

*** A recording of our webinar will be available to watch on International Youth Day 2023, August 12th, when we will also be further profiling the work of our Global Youth Team.

 

International Golden Light Award Winners 2023

Walter Fiuza

Walter Fiuza was diagnosed with epilepsy at 14 years old. However, this did not stop him from graduating as a doctor. During his studies in Paraguay he founded an academic organization to raise awareness of epilepsy locally, which spread to the border countries of Argentina and Brazil. This work escalated to advocacy with local authorities and legislators, which was recognised by the Brazilian Federation of Epilepsy (EpiBrasil). Here he played an active role in driving and leading national initiatives, and was recently elected President.

Read Walter’s Story

Fides Uiso

Fides’ personal experience of facing and combating the stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy – as a mother of a child with severe epilepsy – provided the impetus for Fides to become a passionate parent advocate and to set up the Tanzania Epilepsy Organization (TEO), of which she is now CEO. She advocates for ending epilepsy-related discrimination, protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and improved access to quality health care that is affordable, physician-directed, and person-centered. Fides is certified in seizure recognition and first-aid from the Epilepsy Foundation of America; knowledge which has allowed her to design training programmes for schools and improve public awareness in her home country.

Read Fides’ Story

Wayne O’Reilly

Wayne O’Reilly is an active volunteer with Epilepsy Ireland. This has included sharing his personal story of his journey with epilepsy on Epilepsy Ireland’s social media channels, at national conferences and directly with the media. In fact, he has fronted two of Epilepsy Ireland’s most successful #EpilepsyDay campaigns. Wayne has made a huge impact in raising awareness of epilepsy in Ireland and has been an inspiration to others to speak up and get involved.

Read Wayne’s Story

Highly Commended

  • Sol Roberts
  • Emeline Vandaela
  • Sadie Kline
  • Bin WANG
  • Shraddha Chaurasia
  • Gunocean Singh Bedi
  • CHANG, PIN-HSUAN
  • Janet Lee Jia Hwei
  • Gail Simpson
  • Jim Owen Tenywa
  • Princess Ubani
  • Yahya Njie
  • Maning Ghislain Maning
  • Chifundo R Zamadunga