Sleep Blog
Representing 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…
Read MoreWatch Now: Today’s Tiny Triumph – A Video by Everyone Included & MedX
In this Everyone Included™ video, I speak with MedX innovators about what is means to track or measure our health. Are all things measurable? How do we make sure that intangible and invisible things like puppies, pain, happiness, sleepiness and social support, are part of the story too? How do we shift the culture of healthcare from “I…
Read MoreWatch Now: New Video on Narcolepsy, Sleepiness & Invisible Illnesses
Recently, I was honored to join a group of rockstar advocates and innovators for a fantastic discussion and experimental filming exercise! Check out this awesome first video highlighting narcolepsy, sleepiness and invisible illnesses: When you get invited to an “experimental filming dinner party” in the Hollywood Hills where there’s no cellphone service, you may feel a little uncertain……
Read MoreMy best hallucination yet! A Visit from the Phantom Foot Massager
During lunchtime today, I went to my nap room at work, cuddled up into my lovely blanket from Ireland and quickly fell asleep. Next thing, I awoke to the most AMAZING foot massage!! Oh la la. My feet were sore from intense yoga classes over the weekend, so I really appreciated the free yummy foot massage from…. um…. my phantom foot…
Read MoreEver Met Someone with Narcolepsy? Or Feeling ALONE with Narcolepsy?
I recently created my first Flipagram, highlighting the NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE campaign! I hope you enjoy and please share with friends and family. Watch here: Thanks for watching my first Flipagram! NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE has over 1,200 photos of people with narcolepsy and supporters from all 50 U.S. States and 48 countries around the world. Of course, this campaign is not…
Read MoreNARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE takes over the French Alps!
Say HELLO to Ben who shares a monumental message of hope and narcolepsy awareness from 5,800 feet in the air. Thanks to Ben, NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE is now inscribed on a scenic snow-topped mountaintop in the French Alps, along a popular chair-lift route for every single ski resort visitor to see until the next snow…
Read MoreVisiting Ireland to Speak at Ireland’s Narcolepsy Awareness Day 2016
This National Sleep Awareness Week, I had the honor of traveling to Ireland to be the keynote speaker at Ireland’s 4th Annual Suddenly Sleepy Saturday Narcolepsy Event on March 12, 2016. This experience, and my entire trip to Ireland, was totally unforgettable and surreal. After the long journey from Los Angeles to Ireland, I arrive in…
Read MoreA proud moment – publishing a chapter in narcolepsy clinical guide
A few nights ago, I returned home from work exhausted and found a mysterious heavy package on my doorstep. Inside was a brand new copy of Narcolepsy: A Clinical Guide (2nd ed.), edited by Dr. Meeta Goswami, Dr. Michael Thorpy and S.R. Pandi-Perumal. As a patient advocate, it was a HUGE honor to contribute the chapter…
Read MoreHappy Rare Disease Day 2016!
Today, February 29 is Rare Disease Day! With 350 million people around the world living with a rare disease, HUG someone with a RARE DISEASE today. For Rare Disease Day 2016, I was SO honored to contribute to two great articles for Mashable’s Social Good program. Author, Katie Dupere eloquently describes: “For those living with rare…
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