Narcolepsy & Relationships | Candid Conversations with Rising Voices of Narcolepsy

How to respond when someone tells you they have narcolepsy? When do you share you have narcolepsy?
The Rising Voices of Narcolepsy speakers share a candid conversation on dating, romantic relationships and friendships.
RISING VOICES OF NARCOLEPSY is Project Sleep's leadership training program to raise awareness about narcolepsy while also empowering a new generation of patient advocates sharing their stories via writing and speaking.
ABOUT THIS VIDEO SERIES: While our trained speakers are delivering 20-minute presentations in-person to audiences across the U.S. and internationally, we brought a few speakers together to adapt their presentations into this video series, so that their stories can reach more people around the world. SHARE this video to raise critical awareness!
Learn more and get involved : project-sleep....
Video recorded: September 2018

[@purplevoice1363]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am a 19 year old girl and I was just diagnosed a few months ago but I have been dealing with the symptoms nearly my whole life. It means a lot to see a group of people who also have this condition speak out, bc I really don’t know how to yet. It’s hard to explain to people and have conversations when you don’t even fully know how to cope or take care of it yourself yet.

[@kenl3805]

I have narcolepsy and it destroyed my career dreams and hopes. I've always had to work jobs that no one else will do and I don't make very much money because of it. That has eliminated me from dating any women who are not either homeless or living with their parents. I have a master's degree, I'm a published author, I keep in great shape, and I'm an all-around great guy but for men who aren't drop dead gorgeous, if you don't make much money you don't get to date anyone unless their life is on fire.

[@clean_rene]

I'm a woman, but I can relate to the loss of hopes and dreams and career. Also have a masters. I had to drop out of my PhD possibly because of this illness.. I ended up also having to work low paid low class jobs because I couldn't focus enough to stay in my field. Also jobs where I am moving help me to be a little more alert vs falling asleep. I am praying that the medications will help me. I'll be looking into those soon. Did you have any success with medications or have you been able to try any yet?

[@kenl3805]

@@clean_rene Been medicated for over 30 years

[@theresag2282]

Thanks for sharing girls. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy a couple years ago, and it is so nice to see y'all speaking about it.