REM Runner’s Summer Reading

By julie | June 24, 2012 |

I love summer. Lightening bugs, late sunsets, weddings, and trips to the beach! Here’s what is in my beach bag this summer: ISLAND PRACTICE Cobblestone Rash, Underground Tom, and Other Adventures of a Nantucket Doctor by Pam Belluck A spirited true story of a colorful, contrarian doctor on Nantucket, a world-famous yet strikingly offbeat corner of America. Dr.…

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National Geographic Channel Features Narcolepsy with Cataplexy on Taboo: Strange Behavior (Video Preview)

By julie | June 23, 2012 |

On Sunday, June 24, 2012, 10pm ET, National Geographic Channel will air Taboo: Strange Behavior featuring narcolepsy with cataplexy. Watch a short video preview of National Geographic Channel Taboo: Strange Behavior featuring Narcolepsy here. This preview highlights cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy when emotions (humor, annoyance, joy, anger) causes loss of muscle tone without loss of consciousness.…

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To Fly: Running Mt Washington Road Race

By julie | June 20, 2012 |

I started this journey with a broken heart; I felt lost and alone without my Dad. I wanted so badly to re-connect with him on the mountain. While training, I faced fears and trampled over my comfort zone many times. I gained support from people near and far. By race day, my heart was filled with love…

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Mt Washington Road Race 2012 Video

By julie | June 18, 2012 |

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Here’s a short video re-capping my quest to honor my dad in the Mount Washington Road Race 2012 while living with narcolepsy.   Music: “We Can” by Jesse Ruben. This song helped me up the mountain. The artist generously gave me permission to use it in my video, so…

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REM Runner Attends SLEEP 2012 Conference

By julie | June 18, 2012 |

I had the honor of attending SLEEP 2012 in Boston, MA last week. This conference brought together sleep doctors and researchers from around the world. I volunteered at Wake Up Narcolepsy’s exhibition hall booth. It was great to see familiar faces and meet many new people.  Narcolepsy was very well represented at SLEEP 2012 with…

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AWAKEN Survey Finds America’s Eyes Remain Shut to Narcolepsy

By julie | June 15, 2012 |

I’m pleased to share groundbreaking results of “AWAKEN,” a survey finding that only 50 Percent of Americans understand significant health impact of narcolepsy, and that many physicians are not comfortable diagnosing narcolepsy. Despite the serious nature of narcolepsy, Americans also misperceive its severity compared to other diseases of similar health concern or prevalence. The results were…

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Portsmouth Herald Features Julie Flygare’s Quest to Honor Father in Mt Washington Road Race

By julie | June 15, 2012 |

Today’s Portsmouth Herald features an article about my quest to honor my dad, Tom Flygare by running Mt Washington Road Race on Saturday while living with narcolepsy with cataplexy. Read: “Flygare to run Mt Washington race in honor of her dad,” by Charles McMahon, Portsmouth Herald, June 15, 2012. Please consider supporting my quest here. Packing for my…

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NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams Features Narcolepsy’s Role in Insomnia Drug Developement

By julie | June 14, 2012 |

An upcoming insomnia medication, Suvorexant developed from our understanding of narcolepsy. At the SLEEP 2012 Conference today, Merck announced results for additional clinical trials – indicating that the drug made people fall asleep 40 percent faster and sleep 40 percent longer than placebo. I wasn’t able to attend this conference session today. NBC’s Nightly News…

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Blindsided: Navigating Life’s Construction Zones

By julie | June 9, 2012 |

With one week until I take on “one of the most grueling road races in the world,”  I must admit, I entered this race blindly. My heart said “Yes!” before my body and brain weighed in. I wanted to honor my father on Father’s Day weekend. When I began training, I realized this mountain was a bit…

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