narcolepsy resources
Celebrating 3 years of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy – An Honest Reflection
Writing for me is time-traveling. On January 16, 2012, I sipped a steaming hot soy latte at my favorite coffee shop in Arlington, Virginia, cued up the classical piano in my headphones and closed my eyes. Here we go! On this day, my time-traveling destination was a hotel room in Albany, New York – four years earlier. The subject…
Read MoreWATCH NOW: MedX 2015 Ignite! Talk by Narcolepsy Advocate, Julie Flygare
I’m thrilled to share my 5-minute Ignite! Talk from Stanford Medicine X 2015. Please share with friends and family to raise narcolepsy awareness (https://youtu.be/MXTd8xd_f8s). In this video, I describe my journey with narcolepsy from people laughing in my face to living proudly and creating the NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE campaign. I emphasize how feeling “misunderstood and alone” with…
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: Speaking at Stanford’s Medicine X Conference 2015
What would you say if you only had 5 minutes to speak? This question haunted me all year. See, some girls dream about their wedding day. Others dream about speaking at MedX. Or maybe that’s just me, but the main stage of Stanford’s Medicine X has been a dream of mine – the holy grail of…
Read MoreSyncopation – Dancing with Narcolepsy & Cataplexy Guest Post by Elaine Golden
REM Runner’s note: Recently, Elaine of Chica Siesta joined the NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE campaign. After reading her beautiful blog, I asked her to share in a guest post here. Please enjoy Elaine’s powerful and fresh voice. Read more at chicasiesta.wordpress.com. Syncopation – by Elaine Golden Recently, my friends and I went swing dancing at a jazz club…
Read MoreThe Simpsons Modifies Homer Narcolepsy Episode “Somewhat” After Reading Narcolepsy Article
When the Simpsons premieres tonight at 8pm ET/PT, Homer will get “narcolepsy”. I’m thrilled to report that Executive Producer, Al Jean tweeted me: “The episode was modified somewhat after I read the extremely compelling article you wrote. Not sure you will be 100% happy…” Thank you, Al Jean and the Simpsons for thoughtfully reading and modifying…
Read More8 Years Since Narcolepsy Diagnosis: No Longer “Suffering the Silence”
Living in Silence: Eight years ago today, on Sept. 18, 2007, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy, a serious chronic neurological disorder of the sleep/wake cycle. I told friends and family right away. Finally, I had scientific words to describe my mysterious symptoms. But I hated people’s reactions. Some acted as if I’d said…
Read MoreNarcolepsy Presentations at UCLA Med School 2015 – “A learning experience for both medical students and seasoned physicians.”
On Sept. 1 – 3, I had the extraordinary opportunity to speak at UCLA Medical school three nights in a row, sharing my inspiring narcolepsy journey with 120 first-year medical students and a dozen faculty members. The first-year students were just days into their medical education – energetic and eager to learn! I spoke as part of the students’ required…
Read MoreLiving Bravely With Chronic Illness – Guest Post by Katie G. Nelson
As a 29-year-old, female journalist and photographer, I am accustomed to the words people use to define me; “Fearless”, “gutsy”, “courageous” are just a few. But, as a woman living with severe narcolepsy, I often struggle to reconcile these one-dimensional characterizations with my own sense of self. That disconnect was recently underscored when I announced…
Read MoreMy First Standing Ovation – Speaking at the Hypersomnia Conference 2015
Recently, I traveled to Atlanta to speak at the Hypersomnia Conference 2015. The conference featured a great variety of support groups and fantastic presentations by medical leaders, educational experts, patient advocates and a disabilities attorney. Uniquely, the conference also included hypersomnia, narcolepsy and KLS speakers and attendees, so we could share and learn from each…
Read MoreWorking with Narcolepsy: Part III – When Caring Comes Naturally
After my boss and leadership got even more involved – the nap room situation improved quickly. (Read Part I and Part II of this story.) Nap Bench on the Move: The nap bench was moved again, this time to a small room on the second floor along a nice secluded quiet hallway. The door’s sign was changed to Wellness Room.…
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