CJ Daniels, a wide receiver at the University of Miami, is using his platform as a college athlete to advocate for epilepsy awareness. Daniels’ involvement stems from personal experience—his mother, Natalie Beavers, has lived with epilepsy since childhood. Growing up, Daniels and his brother learned seizure first aid and often had to help their mother during seizures.
“It was definitely scary. Definitely. At a young age, seeing a seizure and being a caregiver, it was crazy for me,” said Daniels. “I feel like I had to grow up extremely fast. My life was a little different from other kids, but just seeing what she went through and having an older brother helped me prepare for it. I just felt like there was nothing we couldn’t do as a family because we had her back.”
Daniels continues to support his mother and others affected by epilepsy through advocacy work on campus and in the community. Earlier this month, during Epilepsy Awareness Month, he and his family organized an Epilepsy Awareness Health Summit at the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence at the University of Miami. The event featured medical professionals and advocates who discussed topics such as seizure first aid and available resources for those living with epilepsy.
Attendees also had the opportunity to meet Daniels and some of his teammates. In addition to the summit, Daniels visited pediatric neurology patients at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Daniels serves as vice president of Angels of Epilepsy, a nonprofit founded by his mother in 2008 that offers education about epilepsy and provides practical support such as subsidizing prescription costs with discount cards, supplying medical ID jewelry for patients, and helping with transportation needs for those unable to drive. The organization is based in Atlanta but hosts events nationally and internationally.
“These events have been going on for as long as I can remember,” said Daniels. “They were not as big as we’re doing today, but being around them and seeing what this is all about has only made me want to stand for it more and continuing to spread this awareness. … We want people with epilepsy to know they’re not alone. There are voices out there speaking and we love you guys. You guys are the most courageous people there are, and we want you to know you’re not alone.”
Beavers’ experience with epilepsy began after a high fever led to convulsions when she was five years old; tests later revealed scar tissue on her brain’s left temporal lobe. Despite periods without seizures—and two brain surgeries—she continues her advocacy alongside her sons.
“It has meant so much. I’m very honored by him,” Beavers said of her son’s activism. “He started actually becoming an advocate during his high school years, and I started the organization in 2008. His senior year of high school, he became the vice president and he said, ‘Mom, I want to help in any way possible, to raise awareness, to let people know about epilepsy, to support those who are caregivers like me.’ And I just thought it was so unique.
“My oldest son, Cameron, actually kind of taught CJ about seizure first aid. ‘This is what mom deals with; this is what we have to do,’ and I hated the fact they had to see me go through what I went through with the convulsions and seizures… but they were always there for me with support. And CJ really wanted that advocacy part… It’s been amazing.”
Teammates have taken note of Daniels’ efforts both on campus in Coral Gables and previously at LSU and Liberty University.
“Even when he was at LSU and Liberty, you could see him posting about the events for his mother,” said Hurricanes receiver Keelan Marion. “He’s a loving kid, a very caring guy… And his doing this shows you the type of person he is… He cares about the community too.”
Daniels hopes that public recognition of Epilepsy Awareness Month will grow further—much like October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and wants Angels of Epilepsy’s impact to expand.
“Man, she is so courageous,” Daniels said about his mother.”She’s so brave… Seeing everything she’s overcome… it’s very powerful… She’s my reason why and I want to continue spreading this awareness just to show the love I have for her.”
