Overcoming Adversity
Follow My Marathon Training as a Person with Narcolepsy
Two weeks ago, I set out for my longest steepest training run yet to prepare for Griffith Park Trail Marathon on March 4th. I documented my 17.4 mile marathon training experience via Instagram Story and it was so fun, I had to share here: I hope you enjoyed coming along my training run with me!…
Read MoreRe-Discovering Halloween with Narcolepsy
Nine Halloweens ago, I felt like a “monster” – lacking the energy and health to play the role of the fun fabulous party host I wanted to be. At the time, I was a few weeks into my narcolepsy diagnosis and struggling terribly to adjust. Check out chapter 11 of my memoir, Wide Awake and Dreaming:…
Read MoreRaising Narcolepsy Awareness in Italy!
On Saturday Sept. 24, 2016, I stood outside the fancy lecture hall at the University of Bologna in Italy, fidgeting with nerves. I picked up my headset for the “live translation” system that would be my lifeline for the day. Traveling to Italy to speak at the 20th Anniversary of AIN (Associazione Italiana Narcolettici e…
Read MoreWhen Your Body Says “OH HELL NO” in Italy – Practicing Radical Self Care On The Fly
I felt a scratch in my throat at Stanford’s Medicine X conference. Flying to Italy, pressure spread across my forehead. Waking early the next morning in Bologna, a breeze swirled in through my open hotel window. I smiled and then I coughed… And coughed… And coughed. It was official. I was sick. In Italy. How could…
Read MoreWhat Does It Feel Like to Speak to an Audience of 1,000 People?
Wow, the last month has been one of the busiest of my life, but all great stuff (as I try to remind myself when I feel overwhelmed). Now, it’s time to catch you up on what’s been happening! Once I heard about the possibility of speaking at Health:Further on August 24 to over 1,000 healthcare professionals in Nashville,…
Read MoreWhat is my secret? Am I a “typical” person with narcolepsy?
I received the following comment on my recent blog post and wanted to respond here. ************ Dear N. Leptic, Thank you for taking an interest in learning more about my experience with narcolepsy. First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your challenging experience with narcolepsy. It sounds like you are facing some very real and significant…
Read MoreNarcolepsy in the News: CBS News Los Angeles
I’m thrilled to share CBS News Los Angeles’ awesome segment on my experience with narcolepsy. Please WATCH & SHARE (http://cbsloc.al/291UTw6): On Monday June 27, this segment aired during the 5 o’clock evening news, highlighting my sleepiness, cataplexy, and the challenges napping as an adult. The news piece also mentioned my non-profit, Project Sleep, my book “Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy”…
Read MoreA Monumental Day: Visiting the White House as a Narcolepsy Advocate
On June 2, 2016, I had the honor of attending the White House/Stanford Medicine X workshop, “Engaging Participants as Partners in Research”, as part of President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative. This event far exceeded my wildest expectations. But first, some context. It’s Gonna Be a Good Day: The day before going to the White House, on…
Read MoreRepresenting Narcolepsy at the White House
This week, I received a very special invitation from the WHITE HOUSE! I am so honored to share that on June 2, 2016, I will join the Medicine X and EveryoneIncluded™ family of rockstar advocates and innovators at the White House for an important discussion on patients as equal partners in research, a core goal of President Obama’s…
Read MoreReal-Life Narcolepsy Superhero Reveals Powers to Captain America’s Jeremy Renner
Recently, ‘Captain America: Civil War’ star Jeremy Renner said that he wanted to be “Captain Narcolepsy… so he could nap whenever he wanted” on Live! with Kelly and Michael. Afterward, many people with narcolepsy and their supporters took to social media to respond. One particular response caught my attention – written by Wendy Ellsworth, a 34-year-old registered nurse living…
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