Adopted Colombian boy with rare form of epilepsy now getting help from support group

A young boy from Colombia with a rare form of epilepsy who was adopted by his aunt and uncle in Mississauga after a lengthy delay is now getting help from a support group after Global News told his story.

Global News aired a report back in May about the 5-year-old named Jordan Sosa Garcia. It was one of two stories that outlined the dire need to bring him to Canada.

Jordan is from Colombia. He was recently adopted by his uncle and aunt, Rosy Garcia and Andres Sosa and has been living in Canada for the past two months. But the path to bringing him here has been a hard and desperate one.

For the past two years Rosy Garcia and Andres Sosa had been working to adopt their nephew who had been living in a foster home in Colombia because his mother, Garcia’s sister, is a drug addict and cannot properly care for her son. But Jordan’s story does not end there. He is also very sick little boy who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy called Status Epilepticus.

READ MORE: Five-year-old Colombian boy with rare form of epilepsy gets new life in Canada

In Colombia he was not getting the proper treatment. His seizures could last up to 40 minutes, putting Jordan in danger of suffering permanent brain damage or death.

Now living in Canada, Jordan’s life has changed quite a bit and it was in part due to the story that aired on Global News. Just a few days after our story Epilepsy Halton Peel Hamilton (EHPH) got in touch with Global News, eager to help Jordan and his parents with support services and programs.

WATCH: Wed, May 11: After a long two-year adoption process marred with red tape, a Mississauga couple is finally able to adopt their nephew and provide him with the medical help he needs for his rare condition. Angie Seth has the story.

1:52 5-year-old Colombian boy with epilepsy gets new life in Canada

They also wanted to connect them with other families who have children with epilepsy.

“Support groups for Rosy and Andres are very important and helpful for families who are still new to ‘epilepsy.’ It can be stressful and overwhelming but the point of support group is to connect with others who have the lived experience and to support each other during those rough patches,” Jasmine Morante, program manager at Epilepsy Halton Peel Hamiton tells Global News.

“It is important to remember that it is all a learning process and taking one day at a time. Meeting other parents during support groups allows them to understand that they are not alone and gives Rosy and Andres the ability to connect and gain understanding on how to best support Jordan.”

So Global made the connection and since then a lot has changed for for Jordan. He is now attending a camp at EHPH and his progress is overwhelming.

“Having Jordan attend camp is so crucial to his development – physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. While he is teaching us Spanish, we are teaching him English. He loves to play in the sand, puzzles, running, and sports!” Morante says.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Having Jordan attend camp is so crucial to his development - physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. While he is teaching us Spanish, we are teaching him English. He loves to play in the sand, puzzles, running, and sports!" Morante says.

“Every day that Jordan comes to camp is another day for the opportunity for him to learn and remember that having epilepsy should never stop him from doing the things he wants to do in life. He is no different than anyone else and making sure he feels included and cared for is what our camp counsellors strive for.”

Jordan’s adopted parents tell Global News they have seen a real improvement in his behaviour. They say this was something they were struggling to deal with especially with what Jordan has already gone through – his illness, the medication he needs to take, having gone through the trauma of being separated from his mother, and living in an foster home.

READ MORE: Mississauga couple desperately trying to adopt nephew from Colombia

“We see in the group a great opportunity for Jordan to adapt to his new reality – the activities in group, the routines,etc it’s helping Jordan to follow rules in a fun environment. Every Wednesday they go on a trip to different themes each week… and we are at peace knowing that their members staff know how to deal with epilepsy patients. For parents with children with epilepsy they give you an introduction to the condition and how to be prepared in an epilepsy event,” Sosa says.

The next step for Jordan is starting school in September and new treatment for his epilepsy.