Sleep took me hostage…

julie flygare wide awake and dreaming narcolepsy memoir auhtor speaker toastwriters toastmastersOn Sunday, sleep took me hostage at the exact moment I was to leave to give a big speech at Toastmasters. I woke up with absolutely no time to prepare and ran out the door with Alex buttoning my blouse for me cause I didn’t even notice it wasn’t buttoned.

Frantic, I drove 5 miles on the highway in the wrong direction before realizing it. I finally arrived to Toastmasters 20 minutes late and contemplated not going in, I HATE being late. Eyes to the ground, I sheepishly entered, dreading my speech.

I don’t know what happened, but I somehow winged it, flawlessly! In honor of Fathers Day, my speech was called “Support” about my dad’s support and I read a passage from page 149 – 150 of my book Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. My stimulants and nerves left me shaking, I choked up with tears, but I DID IT!

Afterwards, I sat down and cried uncontrollably. It was SO awkward. The guest next to me patted my back and a fellow member brought me a water and napkin. And oddly, everyone was incredibly moved, I’ve never gotten such high compliments from members and guests, saying how much I’d touched their hearts and taught them about narcolepsy. I was a hot mess, but glowing with joy afterward. Thank you, Dad!

St Thomas, backyard, Julies graduation 2009 174

2 Comments

  1. Arnold Gendelman on June 21, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Julie you are the greatest.
    So encouraging for us who have been there done that “before diagnoses.”
    Now I know I’m not crazy, I’m just a NORMAL PWN like you kiddo.
    Isn’t that terrific! You bet you are.
    Keep up the wonderful work you are doing for us all.
    It is you and your coy eagle that keeps us going too.

    Love ya,

    Arnold

  2. Elin B on June 21, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Julie, I can not say how grateful I am for the work you are doing reg narcolepsy. Thsnk you, and thank you again. Hugs 🙂

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