This past weekend, I had the honor of hosting a book signing event and giving a presentation for sleep technologists at the BRPT Symposium in Louisville, KY (Sept 13 – 14, 2013). 

During my book signing, a few attendees said they had already heard great things about my memoir. Others learned of my story for the first time. It was thrilling to meet many fellow sleep advocates and educators from across the country. 

I also had the honor of presenting “Legal Ramifications of Daytime Sleepiness” – giving an overview of educational accommodations, employment accommodations and driving issues.

At the start of my presentation, I described the NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE campaign. 

When I reported that we had over 725 photos from 48 U.S. States and 29 countries – the audience broke out into spontaneous applause. It was the COOLEST moment. I smiled ear-to-ear.

The BRPT Symposium kicked off my “conference season” – in just five weeks, I will attend a total of six different conferences, with six speaking engagements and four book signings across the country. I will also attend meetings at NIH and FDA. The intense travel and long hours are challenging while living with narcolepsy, but this is what I live for – telling my story and raising awareness about narcolepsy. 

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

• “When Dreams Leave the Night: A Patient’s Journey with Narcolepsy” – KYSS Meeting Oct. 12-13, 2013
• “From a Dream to Reality: Wide Awake and Dreaming” – Narcolepsy Network Conference, Oct. 18-20, 2o13
• “Narcolepsy Advocacy Update on the FDA Patient Focused Initiative” – Narcolepsy Network Conference, Oct. 18-20, 2o13
• “A Patient’s Journey with Narcolepsy” – FIU Medical School, Oct. 21, 2013
• “Debunking the Narcolepsy Myth” – FIU Diversity Day Keynote Speaker, Oct. 22, 2013