Narcolepsy at Work
Taking a “Sick Day” with Narcolepsy
When working in traditional offices, I struggled with “sick days.” I didn’t often get colds or flus. I just dealt with my narcolepsy with cataplexy, which was fairly stable and “well-managed” by the time I took these jobs. Yet narcolepsy was still with me every day, to varying degrees — from minor annoyance to extreme…
Read MoreSpeaking at the Sweet Dreams and Nightmares Sleep Symposium in Tallahassee
Last month, I had the honor of giving two presentations to allied health care professionals including physicians, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, social work experts, and sleep technologists at the Sweet Dreams & Nightmares Sleep Symposium presented by Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and the Florida Medical Association. With the west coast to east coast time change, the…
Read MoreThe Daze Before the Dream
This isn’t your average nap. Living with narcolepsy, my brain demands to go into R.E.M./dream sleep during the day. Pressure builds and I know it’s THAT time for my brain to do its thing. I get up from my cubicle & head out to my car, hoping not to run into anyone I know along…
Read MoreLifting Weights and Each Others’ Spirits While Living with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy
One of the best parts of the Griffith Park Trial Marathon took place about 10 days BEFORE the race. Arriving home from work one night around 8:00 p.m., I was totally drained and wanted to call it a night, but I had to go running. Ugh. I’d run over 270 miles in four months, and only had…
Read MoreHow to Become a Narcolepsy Advocate? Apply Today for Rising Voices of Narcolepsy – Deadline Approaching
We all have a story to tell. Let’s get busy telling yours! I’m so excited to share the news that Project Sleep is now accepting applications for the Rising Voices of Narcolepsy leadership training program. However, the application deadline is quickly approaching in 9 days on February 24th, 2017 at 5:00pm PST, so please view summer 2017…
Read MoreCourage is Contagious: Mental Health Provider Speaks Up About Narcolepsy
Meet Sarah, a mental health professional in Chicago who was diagnosed with narcolepsy in 2015 after facing years of mysterious symptoms and misdiagnoses. In this informative iBehaviorCoach Radio podcast hosted by Matt Lawson, Sarah debunks myths and raises important awareness about narcolepsy and the invisible nature of sleepiness. I eagerly tuned in to hear about Sarah’s experience…
Read MoreNarcolepsy Advocate in Neurology Now Magazine
Hot off the presses! I’m proud to be featured in Neurology Now’s article, Self Diagnose Successfully, on becoming an empowered and informed patient. I love Neurology Now magazine but narcolepsy isn’t included much, so I am thrilled to help raise some narcolepsy awareness with this neurology audience. Also, it’s super cool that my MedX friend, Matthew Might is…
Read MoreNew York Times editor’s The Big Thing features Wide Awake & Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy
I’m SO honored that New York Times writer and editor, Phyllis Korkki features my story in her new book The Big Thing: How to Complete Your Creative Project Even If You’re a Lazy, Self-Doubting Procrastinator Like Me, published by Harper on August 9, 2016. Never in a million years did I imagine that Wide Awake and Dreaming would be featured…
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 More“I Have Narcolepsy. Do You?” on Sleep Success Summit
This Monday, August 8, my presentation, “I Have Narcolepsy. Do You?” will air to tens of thousands of online viewers as part of the Sleep Success Summit. Register for free today. The Sleep Success Summit is a free online event (August 8-15), featuring over 30 experts discussing a wide range of sleep health and sleep disorder topics. With tens of thousands of viewers expected…
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