Narcolepsy at Work

Navigating the workplace with narcolepsy?
On August 31, 2022 narcolepsy advocates Tre Burge, Lindsey Kizer, and Nicole Zamary discussed gaining accommodations and practical tips with host Julie Flygare.
Meet our guests:
Tre Burge is a proud Iowa native and paraprofessional working with elementary school students with disabilities. He was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1 at age 18, and advocates for narcolepsy awareness through content creation, local outreach, and his clothing brand, SLEPpY.
Lindsey Kizer is from Belmont, NC and leads her workplace’s Chronic Illness and Disabilities employee group. She was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1 at 29 after living with many of the symptoms for over 15 years. She loves to bake, listen to live music, and spend time in her garden and with her husband and rescue pup.
Nicole Zamary is a hard-working Human Resources professional at the University of West Florida. After more than 15 years of struggling with unexplained exhaustion and sleepiness, she was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 2 at the age of 44. She is a compassionate individual, enthusiast of all things crafty, and a grandmother.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Narcolepsy Nerd Alert is a live broadcast series diving deeper into specific topics related to narcolepsy. Hosted by an award-winning geek, Julie Flygare, each live event invites fellow #NarcolepsyNerds to explore unique aspects of the narcolepsy experience, contemplate bold questions, and learn from each other.
See upcoming Narcolepsy Nerd Alert topics, watch past episodes, and download accompanying toolkits on our website: project-sleep.com/narcolepsy-...

[@aprildrake7958]

Thank you so much! This was wonderful information! Loved the panel!

[@ProBloggerWorld]

15:40 This is Valuable and helpful to some. I favor using better medication, even high-dose, instead of napping. I feel better this way and reclaim some freedom from Narcolepsy. I am less dependent on circumstances and do more as I like and not as I need to do. Freedom and self-efficacy is essential and vital to me. While naps are important to some Narcoleptics, others could benefit from somewhat overriding these urges by sticking to meds. Some professional areas make no sense with napping. Narcolepsy is limiting enough. I think the quality of life that meds can provide is still underutilized.

[@SleepPsychologist]

Is there precident for paid breaks as a possible accommodation for a federal employee with Narcolepsy?

[@ledaniels4586]

I was diagnosed while working from home because of covid, which was great. We are now being pushed to go back into office 3 days a week. I have Type 1 and cat episodes for me, occur mostly in morning hours and I have requested just being allowed to work in afternoons in the office and from home in the mornings. I have gotten a letter from my doctor, but am feeling push back from HR. Is there any place i can get guidance on how to show that i should be given some accomodations. This company is totally set up to work from home and my position does not require me to be in the office and I have had times when I have actually asked to work an evening because network is less busy and I accomodated them. Should I contact a lawyer?